James Jamerson

James Lee Jamerson (January 29, 1936 - August 2, 1983) was the uncredited bassist on most of the Motown Records hits in the 1960s and early 1970s and is now regarded as one of the most influential bass players. Jamerson is noted for expanding the role of the bass in popular music, playing melodies rather than root notes. He generally used only his right index finger to pluck the strings earning it the nickname of "The Hook". Also of note is his 1962 Fender Precision, dubbed "The Funk Machine." Jamerson carved the heel with a ballpoint pen and the single word, “FUNK”. The bass was stolen days before Jamerson’s passing in 1983. To this day, its location remains a mystery.

Some very rare footage of the man himself playing The Funk Machine.