Motown's world-famous house band from Hitsville Studios
These are the MAIN players:
Keyboards: Joe Hunter ('59-62), Earl Van Dyke, Johnny Griffith
Guitars: Robert White, Eddie Willis, Joe Messina, Larry Veeder ('59-62), Dennis Coffey ('68-72), Melvin "Wah-Wah Watson" Ragin ('68-72), Marv Tarplin (Miracles sessions), Cornelius Grant (Temptations sessions)
Bass: James Jamerson, Clarence Isabell ('59-62), Bob Babbitt ('68-72)
Drums: William "Benny" Benjamin ('59-67), Richard "Pistol" Allen, Uriel Jones ('63-72)
Percussion: Jack Ashford
Vibraphone: Jack Ashford, Jack Brokensha
Horns: The Motown Horns
Strings: Detroit Symphony Orchestra (Gordon Staples, concertmaster) ('63-72)
The first Motown album to feature musician credits was WHAT'S GOING ON (1970-71) by Marvin Gaye. The roll call:
Piano-Gaye; Guitars-Messina, White; Bass-Jamerson; Drums-Chet Forest; Tambourine and percussion-Jack Ashford; Vibes and percussion-Jack Brokensha; Bongos and conga-Brown, Earl DeRouen; Alto saxophone-Angelo Carlisi; Baritone saxophone-Tate Houston; Soprano saxophone-Larry Nozero; Tenor saxophone-George Benson; Solo work-Eli Fountain (alto sax), William "Wild Bill" Moore" (tenor sax); Flutes-Dayna Hatrwick, William Perich; Trumpets-John Trudell, Maurice Davis; Trombone-Carl Raetz; Strings-Detroit Symphony Orchestra (Staples--concertmaster); Background vocals-the Andantes, Mel Farr, Lem Barney, Bobby Rodgers, Elgie Stover; Arranger and conductor-David van DePitte
Notable Motown Songwriters
Motown's Hall of Famers