James Gadson, drummer for Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers, dies aged 86

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James Gadson, drummer for Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers, dies aged 86

He also played on 'Don't Leave Me This Way', 'Express Yourself', 'Dancing Machine' and countless other classic R&B and soul recordings

ByMax Pilley

3rd April 2026

Image 6: Playing For Change - We Are One Benefit

James Gadson at The Mayan on October 3, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

James Gadson, a drummer who played on a host of classic funk, soul and disco recordings, has died at the age of 86.

Gadson’s wife Barbara confirmed the news toRolling Stone, who revealed that he had recently undergone surgery after a number of health challenges, including a bad fall that injured his back.

“He was a wonderful man,” Barbara said. “He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and one hell of a drummer.”

Gadson became one of the defining drummers of 1970s soul music,playing on records such as ’Leon On Me’ and ‘Use Me’ byBill Withersin 1972, as well asThe Jackson 5’s ‘Dancing Machine’ (1974)andDiana Ross’ ‘Love Hangover’ (1976).

He was also behind the kit for ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ by Thelma Houston and ‘I Want You’ byMarvin Gayein 1976,by which point he was highly in demand as a session player and a regular member of Gaye’s touring band.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri on June 17, 1939, he first established his reputation as the drummer for Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, playing on multiple albums for the group and keeping the beat for their legendary recording ‘Express Yourself’in 1970.

His skills saw him continue to work with a huge range of big names in the music industry over the following decades, includingThe Temptations, Leonard Cohen, Gladys Knight, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Womack, Beck, D’Angelo, Justin Timberlakeand Harry Styles.

Questlovewas one fellow drummer to pay tribute to Gadson, writing on Instagram: “Some drummers are soulful. Some drummers are funky. Some drummers are a-rockin’. Some drummers are swinging – but NO drummer has impacted the art of breakbeat drummer (danceable drums) like James Gadson.”

Ray Parker Jr. wrote: “We played together over 50 years. He changed the world.”

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James Gadson, drummer for Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers, dies aged 86

James Gadson, drummer for Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers, dies aged 86

James Gadson, drummer for Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers, dies aged 86

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