Greg Reeves was a young musician, born in 1950, who came to Motown’s attention at the age of twelve. Reeves had grown up in Warren, Ohio, and had started to learn the guitar at the age of six. Six years later he was being tracked by Chess Records as well as Motown as a potential session bass player! He must have had exceptional natural talent. However, his mother would not give permission for either company to hire him.
The staff at Motown bided their time. In 1968, Reeves graduated from Western Reserve High School and came to Motown to play bass in Studios A and B. Most of his contributions are uncredited, but he definitely played on the Temptations’ “Cloud Nine”. The odd thing is that he played tambourine! It is more than possible that Norman Whitfield had called him into the studio as cover for James Jamerson. When Jamerson turned up, Reeves has said that he was too nervous to play (4WaySite interview). Norman Whitfield suggested Reeves pick up the tambourine. At the age of eighteen, Reeves was not going to make a fuss. He duly took his place alongside Jamerson, Dennis Coffey, Spider Webb and Uriel Jones to record the watershed hit single.
Reeves’ story is a good indication of how Motown worked. Berry Gordy believed in giving young singers and musicians a chance. He loved their energy and enthusiasm. If they had talent too, he brought them on board. Some stayed, some departed, but the hunt for outstanding performers went on.
Reeves didn’t stay long. He met Rick James at Motown and together they went to Los Angeles. Reeves has said that his final contribution to Motown’s output was in Los Angeles, when he was asked to overdub the bass part for Diana Ross & the Supremes’ final single together, “No Matter What Sign You Are”. Then he was invited to tour with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. He played with the band at Woodstock in 1969, and then on the recording of Neil Young’s “After the Goldrush” in 1970.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, with Dallas Taylor and Greg Reeves (right front)
Source: Neil Young News (Thrashers Wheat)
Reeves continued to work as a session bass player and a songwriter. One of his songs “I Got Your Number” (or “I Got Cha Number”), co-written with Johnny Bristol, has been recorded by Lee Towers, Tom Jones, Alexis Korner and Johnny Bristol.
Greg Reeves
(Source: FourWaySite)
