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Bob Babbitt

  • Bass player with the Motown Records studio band the Funk Brothers
  • Hit songs with the Funk Brothers include "My Girl," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone," and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
  • Played on "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder, Grammy-nominated "Mercy Mercy Me" and "Inner City Blues" by Marvin Gaye, and the double-platinum, Grammy-winning #1 hit "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight and the Pips
  • Member of the Musicians Hall of Fame with the Funk Brothers

Bob Babbitt was an American bassist, most famous for his work as a member of Motown Records' studio band, the Funk Brothers, 1966-1972. The group received three Grammy Awards and is considered one of the most successful groups of studio musicians in music history. They have played on hit songs like "My Girl," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone," and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".

Babbitt's notable bass artistry can also be heard on the Grammy-nominated "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder, Grammy-nominated "Mercy Mercy Me" and "Inner City Blues" by Marvin Gaye, and the double-platinum, Grammy-winning #1 hit "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Babbitt's bass lines have graced over 100 million recordings, including 200 Billboard Top 40 hits for Motown and other labels.

After coming to Nashville to play on a record for Downs and Price, he fell in love with Music City and spent more than 25 years here. While Babbitt was best known for the Motown sound he created with the Funk Brothers, he has also played for other genres including several country music sessions in Nashville.

Babbitt passed away in 2012 at age 74.

Inducted to the Music City Walk of Fame on June 5, 2012.