We’ve lost another legend. Sad day indeed in the drum community. Funk Brother Uriel Jones (name a Motown artist, he played on their record) passed away due to complications stemming from heart surgery. The Funk Brothers were Motown’s house band. A group of guys that together played on more #1 records than anyone in history. These guys were literally the driving force for popular American music in 50s and 60s. So few of the core guys remain. Sad to see Jones go.

Source: Drummercafe.com

Uriel Jones, a drummer who created that beat for countless Motown hits in the 1960s, died on Tuesday, March 24, at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn; he was 74 years old.

Jones had recently undergone heart bypass surgery, and had a pacemaker installed last month. He died of lingering complications, having returned to Oakwood after time at a rehabilitation facility.

Jones played on hits by acts such as Marvin Gaye and the Temptations, along with non-Motown songs like “(I Wanna) Testify” by the Parliaments. He had earned a reputation as one of the city’s top drummers during his days at jazz lounges such as the Sip ‘N Chat and Fairlane Club.

Along with the late Benny Benjamin and Richard (Pistol) Allen, he was one of three go-to drummers for Motown during the ’60s. He often played in tandem with Allen in the studio, manning the kick drum and snare.

With his fellow Funk Brothers, Jones enjoyed belated glory when the studio band was celebrated in the 2002 documentary “Standing in the Shadows of Motown.” Jones was also part of a Funk Brothers unit that toured internationally amid the resulting publicity.

“Motown was his life, so to finally get that recognition made him proud,” said guitarist Dennis Coffey, who began playing with the drummer in the mid-1960s and remained close to him. “He was very happy that he took part in that.”

Like many of Motown’s behind-the-scenes personnel, Jones remained in Detroit when the label moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s. Though he picked up some studio work – including sessions for Westbound Records and Coffey’s hit “Scorpio” – he turned to home-renovation work as a full-time pursuit.

Where other players were known for their technical chops – including his drumming partner Allen – Jones was renowned for his feel. His signature move was a distinct pickup lick (bah, bah, ba-ba-ba) that was dubbed his “pass-the-biscuit fill” – a lighthearted nod to the fact that it was his gravy train to success.

Coffey said Jones was in good spirits just last week, reminiscing by phone about their Motown days.

“He was one of those people who was a genuinely nice guy,” Coffey said. “I never knew any situation where he lost his temper.”

Jones is survived by his wife, June Jones, and three children. A funeral is scheduled for Tuesday at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple.