Music to the most surprising secret influence of the Beatles

The most obvious influences of Beatles reside in the rock and roll icons of the 1950s. American musicians as Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins They shaped the sound of the English band. More inclined to country, Duo Everly Brothers also served as a reference for Fab Four, especially with regard to vocal harmonies. Over the years, more contemporary inspirations to them, as Bob Dylan, The band And even the “rivals” Beach Boys entered the list.

But little is discussed about a strong external influence on rock: that of artists of the label Motownwith soul artists of considerable pop appeal. Names like The temptations, Marvin Gaye, Martha and The Vandellas, The Miracles and The Supremes These are some of the various attractions of the seal that pumped in the 1960s.

The English group even rewrote songs by Motown artists, as “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me” (The Miracles), “Please Mr. Postman” (The Marvelettes) and “Money (That’s What I Want)” (Barrett Strong). And there are their own compositions at the beginning that sound in the same footprint, such as “There’s a Place”from the debut album Please please (1963), and “This Boy”side B of the single “I Want to Hold Your Hand”.

Until Paul McCartney admits this inspiration. It seems that he himself was the great enthusiast of exploring such a sound.

In an interview with Music Radar (via Igor Miranda site), Macca revealed his two biggest influences as bassist. One of them surprised by the supposed feud: Brian Wilsonof the aforementioned beach boys. The other, because it is a name outside the rock and the public radar: James Jamersonwhich, without credits, played in several of Motown’s biggest hits.

“When the Beatles started, I had a little knowledge, but I was very amateur. I started listening to other bassists. Motown… James Jamerson became my hero, really. I didn’t know his name until recently. He and Brian Wilson were my biggest influences.

Jamerson’s work can be heard in hits by Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Tempts, The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, among many others. Apparently, he participated in all Motown records between 1963 and 1968.

Beatles, Motown and The Bass

When asked if the bass made the most “acceptable” bass as an instrument, Macca shared the credit with James – curiously, his first name named after Beatle’s full name is James Paul McCartney.

“I think James Jamerson, he and me, we would share credit there. I stole from him a lot. The bass became a more ‘funky’ instrument. It was almost like a battery in terms of rhythmic possibilities. It was very exciting and gave me something to stay interested in the bass. The danger with the bass is that everyone in a band has interesting functions and you are just the last face to get something. Tonic, two in a measure. But in fact… today I like it a lot, I like simplicity.

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