Gadson’s Contributions to Iconic Hits: Use Me and Love Hangover

James Gadson, a prolific session drummer and musician whose work anchored some of the most influential records in R&B and soul, died on Thursday, April 2, 2026. He was 86 years old.

The news was confirmed by Gadson’s wife, Barbara, who informed Rolling Stone that the drummer had recently undergone surgery following a fall. Neither the location of his death nor a specific cause of death was provided.

Musical Legacy and Influence

Gadson was recognized for a funky, laid-back drumming style that became a cornerstone for numerous hit records. He was a member of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band and worked extensively with some of the most iconic artists in music history.

Among his most notable contributions was his work with Bill Withers, specifically on the 1972 track Use Me. His intricate rhythm patterns also appeared on Diana Ross’s 1976 hit Love Hangover, which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and Marvin Gaye’s I Want You, which hit No. 1 on the R&B chart in 1976.

Gadson’s influence extended into the disco era with his playing on Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive, and he also performed with artists such as Kelly Clarkson and Leonard Cohen. He credited his time in Los Angeles for helping him develop his groove and learn to read charts, which eventually led to his recruitment by Motown Records.

He recalled his first session with Motown as being for The Jacksons’ Dancing Machine, where he introduced an 8th-note hop that the producers liked, contributing to the song’s success.

Impact on Modern Music

The reach of Gadson’s work continued long after the original recordings through sampling and interpolation in modern hip-hop. Kendrick Lamar utilized Gadson’s rhythms in two significant tracks: Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst from the 2012 album “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” and the Grammy-winning The Heart Part 5.

Questlove, the drummer and frontman for The Roots, paid tribute to Gadson on Instagram, describing him as breakbeats defined.

Some drummers are soulful. Some drummers are funky. Some drummer[s] are a rockin. Some drummers are swinging——but NO drummer, has impacted the art of breakbeat drummer[s] (danceable drums) like James Gadson.

Questlove