He was the uncredited bassist on most of the Motown Records hits in the 1960s and early 1970s (Motown did not list session musician credits on their releases until 1971), and is now regarded as one of the most influential bass players in modern music history. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. As a session musician he played on twenty-three Billboard Hot 100 number one hits, as well as fifty-six R&B number one hits.

In its special issue "The 100 Greatest Bass Players" in 2017, Bass Player magazine ranked Jamerson number one and the most influential bass guitarist. In 2011, Jamerson ranked third in the "20 Most Underrated Bass Guitarists" in Paste magazine. Jamerson died of a heart attack on 2nd August 1983 aged 45.

Born on Edisto Island (near Charleston), South Carolina, Jamerson was raised in part by his grandmother who played piano, and his aunt who sang in church choir. As a youngster he was a competent piano player and performed in public. He briefly played the trombone. As a teenager he was a reserved person, but passionate about music.

In 1954 he moved with his mother to Detroit, Michigan attended Northwestern High School; there he started on the upright bass and began playing in Detroit area blues and jazz clubs. He was offered a scholarship to study music at Wayne State University, and he declined. After graduating from high school, he toured with Jackie Wilson. His solid reputation among Detroit musicians provided him opportunities for sessions at various local recording studios. Starting in 1959, he found steady work at Berry Gordy's Hitsville U.S.A. studio, home of the Motown record label. And the rest is history ...