Subscribe to RSS FeedJames Brown Lives On
James Brown, the “Godfather of Funk” sadly passed away on to the next dimension early Monday morning around 1.45 am (6.45 GMT) in Atlanta. He was 73. James’ longtime friend, Charles Bobbit was by his side.
Mr. Brown was one of the hardest working artists in the music industry and inspired many popular artists, bands and musicians during the past 5 decades. He was the main influence behind soul and funk music and helped to shape the sound of countless funk bands in the last 30 years.
His fast-footed rhythmic dancing inspired, amongst others, Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson. He was also one of the most sampled artists ever, and helped to shape the sound of many funk, soul, rap, disco and hip hop artists and bands.
He has been a major influence in my musical life, from the time I was 9 years old, when I first heard his music drifting out of a house garden party I said to myself; “What’s this music? it’s so funky in there!”, I had jump over the wall, i.e. gatecrash the party, and got into the groove. I asked someone “Who is this?”, and they said “James Brown, of course”… The funk was in me. I loved it and still do.
He will be sadly missed, but joyously remembered. James Brown Lives ON!…
James always did his funk on the GOOD FOOT:
Tags: Funk, funk music, james brown, soul
Crossroads of the Funk
I am from Dayton, Ohio and I completed a research paper on the Funk music groups from my home town during the 1960’s and 70’s. There were about 15 acts that had their origins in Dayton, Ohio. I don’t have much time to write, so I will list a majority of the acts:
The Ohio Players, Roger Troutman & Zapp, Slave, Steve Arrington’s Hall of Fame, Sun, Heatwave, Platypus, Faze-O, Shirley Murdock, The System, Lakeside, Junie Morrison, Otha Stokes, New Horizons, Dayton and Aurra. Also some of Slave’s members went to Mtume.
I wrote a 74 page research paper about it and discovered that James Brown “invented” Funk and George Clinton popularized Funk, but the Ohio Players were the real musical innovators of Funk. They mastered the musical structure that all other 70’s Funk bands produced during that time period. Even George Clinton emulated the musical prowess that the Players provided.
My goal is get the Ohio Players recognized by the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame for their contributions to the defining of Funk Music during the 1970’s. Their role was critical, because Funk was the platform for American dance music during the 70’s. That is an amazing feat that I believe needs to be recognized. Please help me spread the word and let me know if you would like a copy of my research paper.
Tags: Funk, Funk bands, George Clinton, Heatwave, james brown, Lakeside, Ohio Players, Slave, Zapp
Prince of Funk
Is Prince the prince of FUNK?
Musicology
Personally I would say so, and in the steps of the Kings of funk like [tag]James Brown[/tag] and George Clinton, Prince is on he’s way to becoming a King of Funk. Ahmm.. mabey I should stop with these monarchistic terms as I don’t subscribe to them.
I heard Prince’s Musicology cd a few weeks back and I thought “Yes, this guy has a DEEP scence of music, particularly the Funky kind”. Honestly, some tracks on this CD are just pure G. I would even take my hat off to have a jam with this dude.
Tags: Funk, George Clinton, james brown, prince
