James Gadson, the legendary musician and R&B drummer, has received many tributes, especially led by his friend Ray Parker Jr., after it was announced that the legend had passed away.
The announcement was made by Ghostbusters star in an Instagram post, where he shared a photo of the two together and wrote, “RIP James Gadson, we played together for over 50 years. He changed the world.”
During his remarkable career, James has collaborated with some of music’s most celebrated artists, including Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, Rose Royce, Tavares, Herbie Hancock and Diana Ross, as well as pop and rock artists such as Beck and Wilco.
He has also performed at Marvin Gaye’s I want you and that of Diana Ross Love Kater, both released in 1976.
The same year he also recorded the percussion parts for Thelma Houston’s groundbreaking disco anthem Don’t leave me like this.
Grammy award-winning producer JJ Blair, known for his work with artists such as Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Rod Stewart and The Who, also shared a touching tribute and even revealed that the drummer had been struggling with his health for some time.
“I’m devastated. I just found out about the passing of James Gadson. We were friends for about 20 years,” he wrote.
“We were on a session together, I gave him a record I made, and he called me, told me how much he loved the record, and then played at my wedding,” he wrote on Instagram alongside a studio photo of James, the Mirror reports.
JJ Blair continued, “He had serious health issues this year and we had to keep delaying his arrival to talk about Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Want You’ because he played the drums on that record.”
“I was just talking to him last week when he called me to say he wasn’t feeling well… He was the sweetest, kindest man. The best right hand man who ever put a stick on a top hat,” he recalls, adding, “I just had one of the greatest days of my life, and now I’m crying. I’m so grateful to not only have worked and played with him, but to have known him and called him a friend.”
“Thank you for all your kindness and for showing us where the bag is. Rest in power, James,” he concluded of his tribute to the legend, James Gadson.
