It’s sad to continually have to commemorate the passing of members of any community, and the community of musicians is no exception. Yesterday, it was announced that country star Kitty Wells passed away. Today comes word that Bob Babbitt also died yesterday. He passed away in Nashville at the age of 74. Babbitt, a bass player, isn’t a household name. But, perhaps, he should be:

Mr. Babbitt’s gymnastic, groove-rooted bass work bolsters classic recordings including Smokey Robinson’s “Tears Of A Clown,” Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” The Temptations’ “Ball of Confusion,” Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology),” Edwin Starr’s “War,” Gladys Knight & The Pips’ “Midnight Train To Georgia” and The Capitols’ “Cool Jerk.”

Cool Jerk is above. Here is War.

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