The funk brothers were a group of detroitbased session musicians who performed the backing to most motown recordings from. These funk brothers came from shenandoah county, virginia to hardin county, kentucky and then to harrison county, indiana. Standing in the shadows of motown 2002 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Motown musicians star is situated next to the stars of famed musicians dizzy gillespie, thelonious monk and herbie hancock. In 1824, brothers isaac and absalom funk, the sons of adam funk, jr. Funk, rhythmdriven musical genre popular in the 1970s and early 1980s that linked soul to later africanamerican musical styles. Anchored by innovative bassist james jamerson, keyboardist earl van dyke, and drummer benny benjamin, the group also included guitarists robert white and eddie willis, and later replacement drummers uriel jones and richard pistol allen.
Family patriarch isaac funk the funks and stubblefields were among the first settlers in the county and put down roots in the area now known as funks grove, illinois. The funk brothers the complete guide this is a wikipedia book, a collection of wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, imported by an external electronic rendering service, and ordered as a printed book. I go into further detail about the most tragically overlooked band in history. Guitarist joe messina was one of the funk brothers as motowns studio band of the 60s and 70s. I just hope the stars that made it big took care of these players for all they did.
In more recent years, the funk brothers legacy has begun to receive proper attention, most notably in allen slutskys 1989 book standing in the shadows of. George clinton on the funk brothers and the formation of funkadelic. As a member of the funk brothers he played on just about every motown track up until the. Search the history of over 423 billion web pages on the internet. Find the funk brothers movies, filmography, bio, co stars, photos, news and tweets. The funk brothers defeated the public enemy in a barbedwire match. The life and music of legendary bassist james jamerson, a bass guitar instruction book by allan slutsky, which features a biography of james jamerson along with his bass lines. Motowns studio band dubbed the funk brothers by benny benjamin, according to legendwas comprised of multitalented musicians who earned their.
The opening titles claim that the funk brothers have played on more numberone hits than the beatles, elvis presley, the rolling stones, and the beach boys. In more recent years, the funk brothers legacy has begun to receive proper attention, most notably in allen slutskys 1989 book standing in the shadows of motown, which focused on bass genius james jamerson, and the 2002 documentary film of the same name, which covered the group as a whole. The funk brothers simple english wikipedia, the free. The funk brothers played on motown hits such as my girl, i heard it through the grapevine, baby love, i was made to love her, papa was a rollin stone, the tears of a clown, aint no mountain high enough, and heat wa. But to the studio musicians who shaped the motown sound, the stairs were a gateway to a workplace, a cramped, smoke stained, dimly lit room they affectionately dubbed the snakepit.
A very brief history of funk music from a bassists. Remixed instrumental version of you keep me hangin on by the supremes. The funk brothers musicians behind the sound of motown. During the 1960s, the earl van dyke sextet would play behind the headline acts on tour and in live concert appearances. Performers, teachers, students, garagejam players, fans of live music getting together is part of what we do. Complete song listing of the funk brothers on oldies. Sessions started at 10 oclock and were over in the afternoon. You can find the list of the funk brothers tour dates here. His name was robert white and he was a member of the funk brothers, the legendary house band of motown records, which is given a longdeserved spotlight in standing in. A brief history of bishop henry funck and other funk pioneers, and a complete genealogical family register, with biographies of their descendants from the earliest available records to the present time by fretz, a. The funk brothers biography, albums, streaming links.
Standing in the shadows of motown by paul justman paul justman. They are thought to be one of the most successful groups of studio musicians in music history. Like many words emanating from the africanamerican oral tradition, funk defies literal definition, for its usage varies with circumstance. On 2004s the best of the funk brothers, rather than presenting these sides without the familiar lead singers, the majority of the material was recut by the funk brothers unofficial maestro, earl van dyke. The funk brothers played on motown hits such as my girl, i heard. Join napster and access fulllength songs on your phone, computer or home audio device. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia the funk brothers featuring joan osborne what becomes of the broken hearted from the documentary movie. This book is available with additional data at biodiversity heritage library. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading funk. I grew up listening to music from motown in the 70s and 80s and in my day you used to read the album credits to see who made the song. Its a funk a story about the history of the funk airplanes and of the designers, joe funk and howard funk the aviation heritage series g. They are considered one of the most successful groups of studio musicians in music history. Vincent has managed to pull of one of the greatest tasks in the field of music journalism, that is to present the history of one of the most exciting and extremely influential music styles, such as funk.
Great book for learning basslines and the story of james jamerson. The funk brothers music, videos, stats, and photos. The opening titles claim that the funk brothers have played on more numberone hits than the beatles, elvis presley, the rolling stones and the beach boys combined. This book makes one of the most factual records of the history of funk music i have ever read. The history of funk by rickey vincent at the amoeblog. Funk brothers 01 port credit 2009 get ready youtube. History edit allen was the primary recording session drummer for motown records inhouse funk brothers band on most of hollanddozier and holland s hit productions of the 1960s. A brief history of bishop henry funck and other funk. Funk brothers come out of motowns shadows at last the. The world could not escape the great sound originated by the funk brothers. This is a great film that showcases the history of the funk brothers and their contribution to motown records and the motown sound. Colorful, intelligent, and inyouface, rickey vincents funk celebrates the songs, the musicians, the philosophy, and the meaning of funk. What would the motown sound have been without the funk brothers inspired accompaniments.
Allen was the primary recording session drummer for motown records inhouse funk brothers band on most of hollanddozier and hollands hit productions of the 1960s. The music, the people, and the rhythm of the one kindle edition by vincent, rickey, clinton, george. The book spans from the early work of james brown the godfather of funk through today, covering funky soul stevie wonder, the temptations, socalled black rock jimi hendrix, sly and the family stone, the isely brothers, jazzfunk miles davis, herbie hancock, monster funk parliament, funkadelic, bootsys rubber band, naked funk rick james. In accordance with the directives of government and health authorities, we have temporarily suspended operations. Watch the complete hollywood walk of fame star ceremony for the funk brothers at the end of this page. Since they could call for a session seven days a week the funk brothers were always on call. The college professor, writer, and radio dj, who resides in berkeley ca with his wife and two sons, is the author of the acclaimed music history book funk. Howard richard pistol allen august, 1932 june 30, 2002 was an american musician, most notable as a motown session drummer with the funk brothers. The best of the funk brothers the funk brothers allmusic. The music, the people, and the rhythm of the one st.
Jamersons performances on motown sessions have rightfully been called the most important single body of bass work in the history of popular music. In 1805, jacob was the first settlers to harrison county, indiana. In the early 1800s, brothers, jacob and henry funk were making their mark on this country. The film was inspired by the 1989 book standing in the shadows of motown. Part one of a threepart series, this book introduces music theory, scales and chords.
Prefunk acts, classic funk, disco funk, and the new school. The funk brothers were motowns inhouse band and are featured on fairly all the motown records from 1959 up to 1972. The role of the funk brothers is described in paul justmans 2002 documentary film standing in the shadows of motown, based on allan slutskys book of the same name. Funk music was a major influence on the development of disco and, later, hip hop music. Funk brothers with joan osborne what becomes of the. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The funk brothers were honored with star on the hollywood walk of fame. To motowns stars, the four wooden steps leading down to hitsvilles basement were a bridge to a land of dreams. The history of soul music and the funk brothers, which is also a history of popular culture, is the subject of standing in the shadows. Joe hunter was the bandleader from 1959 to 1962, earl van dyke from 1963 to 1972. Join the funk fam, the strongest bond on youtube and fb.