Drummer James Gadson, who played with Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye, dies at 86

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James Gadson, a highly influential drummer known for his work with Bill Withers and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, passed away on Thursday at the age of 86, according to Rolling Stone. His drumming powered iconic hits like Diana Ross’ “Love Hangover,” Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You,” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”

Rolling Stone reported the death of the drummer, confirmed by his wife, Barbara. She shared that he had recently fallen and needed surgery, but the magazine didn’t disclose where he died or what ultimately caused his death.

Drummer Bernard Gadson, hailed by Questlove of The Roots as a master of breakbeats, was known for his cool, relaxed style. A prime example is his work on Bill Withers’ 1972 hit “Use Me,” where he effortlessly added extra layers of rhythm. Decades later, in 2012, Kendrick Lamar sampled Gadson’s complex beat for his song “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” from the acclaimed album “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.”

In 1976, drummer Gadson played a key role in two major hits: “Love Hangover,” which went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and “I Want You,” a number one R&B song. His drumming provided a strong foundation for both tracks, moving from soulful ballads to upbeat disco. Years later, Kendrick Lamar sampled Gadson’s work on “I Want You” for his Grammy-winning song, “The Heart Part 5.”

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Throughout the 1970s, Gadson played on numerous hit songs, including the Jackson 5’s “Dancing Machine,” Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to Be Real,” Smokey Robinson’s “Cruisin’,” and classics by Yvonne Elliman, Tavares, Peaches & Herb, and Thelma Houston. He continued to work with major artists in later years, such as Beck, D’Angelo, Paul McCartney, Justin Timberlake, Harry Styles, and Sturgill Simpson.

Born in Kansas City on June 17, 1939, Ronald Gadson came from a musical family – his father was a drummer. As a teen, Gadson and his brother formed a doo-wop group called the Carpets. After serving in the Air Force, Gadson relocated to Los Angeles in the mid-1960s and joined Charles Wright’s Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. The band achieved success with songs like “Do Your Thing” and “Express Yourself,” which was later sampled by N.W.A for their 1989 hit of the same name on the album “Straight Outta Compton.”

In the early 1970s, several members of the Watts band, including Gadson, joined Bill Withers – who was already famous for his song “Ain’t No Sunshine” – to work on his album, “Still Bill.” The album produced the hit song “Lean on Me,” which reached number one and was later recognized with a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Gadson also performed with Withers at a memorable 1972 concert at Carnegie Hall, which was recorded as a live album. That album famously begins with an extended, over eight-minute version of “Use Me.”

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The 83-year-old rock legend did his latest underplay at L.A.’s Fonda Theatre on Friday night.

Despite his attempt at a solo career not succeeding, Gadson quickly became a highly sought-after studio drummer. He became especially popular with artists signed to Motown Records after the label relocated to Los Angeles from Detroit. He played on recordings for iconic Motown groups like The Temptations, The Miracles, and The 5th Dimension, as well as with The Supremes’ Mary Wilson. Throughout his career, he also collaborated with many other renowned artists including Philip Bailey, Anita Baker, Ray Charles, Leonard Cohen, Norah Jones, and Lana Del Rey.

Jazz guitarist Jeff Parker shared his experiences playing with Gadson in an Instagram post on Friday.

Parker remembers being amazed by a drum kit at a previous meeting. He stared at it, realizing it must have been used on many famous recordings. The owner noticed and told Parker it was his ‘disco kit.’ Parker immediately asked if it was the kit used on Diana Ross’s ‘Love Hangover,’ and the owner confirmed – it had been used on countless songs.

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2026-04-03 23:01