EPISODE · Jun 9, 2026 · 17 MIN
The Mistake That Made Motown: How a Broken Bass Amp Created the Sound of Young America
from The Second Track · host Podcaster
In 1959, Motown session bassist James Jamerson's amplifier started malfunctioning, creating a muddy, percussive tone that should have ruined the recording. Instead, it became the foundation of the Motown sound and influenced every bassist who came after. We dive into how technical accidents can reshape entire genres and why sometimes the 'wrong' sound is exactly right. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In 1959, Motown session bassist James Jamerson's amplifier started malfunctioning, creating a muddy, percussive tone that should have ruined the recording. Instead, it became the foundation of the Motown sound and influenced every bassist who came after. We dive into how technical accidents can reshape entire genres and why sometimes the 'wrong' sound is exactly right.
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The Mistake That Made Motown: How a Broken Bass Amp Created the Sound of Young America
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