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TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME STEAMBOAT LANDING ROAD IN CHARLESTON COUNTY "JAMES LEE JAMERSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS ROAD CONTAINING THESE WORDS.
Whereas, Mr. James Lee Jamerson was born on Edisto Island on January 29, 1936, the son of James Jamerson, Sr., and Elizabeth Bacon and left his earthly life on August 2, 1983; and
Whereas, in 1954 he moved to Detroit with his mother, where he graduated from Northwestern High School and began playing in the city's blues and jazz clubs. He married Annie Wells and together they raised four children; and
Whereas, an American bass player and a session musician with Motown Records' Funk Brothers, Mr. Jamerson's nimble bass playing was considered an integral part of what came to be known as the "Motown Sound." Jamerson was the uncredited bassist on most of Motown's biggest hits during the 1960s and early 1970s. The Temptation's My Girl, Going to A Go-Go by The Miracles, and What's Going On by Marvin Gaye are just a few of the hundreds of hits that featured Jamerson's talent; and
Whereas, regarded as one of the most influential bass players in modern music history, Mr. Jamerson was inducted into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. He played on twenty-three Billboard Hot 100 number one hits, as well as fifty-six R&B number one hits; and
Whereas, in its special issue "The 100 Greatest Bass Players" in 2017, Bass Player magazine ranked James Lee Jamerson number one and the most influential bass guitarist. In 2020, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number one in its list of the fifty greatest bassists of all time; and
Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to name a highway on Edisto Island in honor of this son of South Carolina and music legend. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly request the Department of Transportation name Steamboat Landing Road in Charleston County "James Lee Jamerson Memorial Highway" and erect appropriate markers or signs along this road containing these words.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.
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