James Gadson, Veteran Drummer, Dies at 86

James Gadson, the veteran session drummer whose funky, laid-back grooves powered classic soul, funk, and disco recordings for artists including Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross, died on Thursday at the age of 86.

Gadson's wife, Barbara, confirmed the death to Rolling Stone, noting that he had faced recent health challenges, including a fall that injured his back and subsequent surgery. "He was a wonderful man," she said. "He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and one hell of a drummer."

Born on June 17, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, Gadson grew up in a musical family; his father was a drummer who initially discouraged him from pursuing the instrument. As a teenager, Gadson sang in a doo-wop group called the Carpets and later served in the Air Force. After his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1960s, where he taught himself drums and joined local bands. He quickly found work backing touring acts such as Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, Jimmy Reed, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding.

Gadson's breakthrough came with Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, where he played on their 1970 album Express Yourself, including the...