March 25, 2009 11:05

Motown drummer Uriel Jones dies

Marvin Gaye collaborator was 74

Legendary Motown drummer Uriel Jones has died from complications following a heart attack, aged 74.

The last surviving member of session band The Funk Brothers, Jones was responsible for powering classics by Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. He was a catalyst for the latter's 'psychedelic soul' period on songs such as 'Cloud Nine' and 'I Can't Get Close To You'.

Additionally, he brought a softer touch to classic ballads like 'Tracks Of My Tears' by The Miracles and 'What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted' by Jimmy Ruffin.

However it was Gaye who first brought Jones to Motown, and played on such hits as 'Aint That Peculiar', 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' and 'Ain't No Mountain' High Enough'.

According to Reuters, Jones was taken in ill in February and had recently been showing signs of improvement. However, he relapsed on Tuesday (March 24) and later died at the Oakwood Hospital and Medical Centre in Michigan.

He is survived by his wife Jean and three children.

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