Jones had suffered heart problems during the last few years, including a heart attack in February, which kept him hospitalized until his death.

As a member of Motown’s legendary backing band, The Funk Brothers, Jones played on tracks by several of the label’s groups and artists, including “Ain’t To Proud To Beg” by The Temptations, “Tracks Of My Tears” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

“Uriel was one of the great R&B drummers,” Allan Slutsky, the moviemaker responsible for the 2002 movie about the Funk Brothers, “Standing in the Shadows of Motown,” told The Detroit News.

“Of the Funk Brothers drummers, Uriel was the hardest rocking. Benny (Benjamin) and Pistol (Allen) were more finesse, jazz players. Uriel was a beast, that’s why he and (Motown pianist) Earl Van Dyke were such a pair. He would hit really hard.”

Jones is survived by his wife June, his three children and several grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Click here for The Detroit News article.