The Funk Music of the 70’s by Discipline

A blog dedicated to the exploration and analysis of the funk music of the 1970s.

Introduction

What is funk? This is a question that has dogged music scholars for decades, with no consensus ever being reached. However, one thing is for sure – when it comes to the funk of the 1970s, there are few who can match the sheer power and originality of Parliament-Funkadelic.

Formed in 1968 by George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic is a collective of musicians that created a style of funk that was unlike anything that had come before. With their combination of deep groove basslines, psychedelic visuals, and often-humorous lyrics, Parliament-Funkadelic brought the funk to a whole new level.

While Parliament-Funkadelic may be the most well-known act associated with 1970s funk, they are by no means the only ones worthy of mention. Here is a look at some other essential artists who helped to shape the sound of funk in the 1970s.

The Birth of Funk

Funk is a style of music that originated in the mid-1960s. It is a combination of African-American music genres such as soul and R&B. Funk is characterized by a thick, “fat” sound that is created by using electronic instruments and a strong rhythm section.

James Brown and the Birth of Funk

Funk is a style of music that was popularized in the 1970s. It is a blend of soul, R&B, and rock music. Funk songs are characterized by their groove-oriented melodies and rhythmic bass lines. James Brown is often credited with being the father of funk music. His hit song “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” epitomizes the genre. George Clinton’s band Parliament-Funkadelic also helped to popularize funk music in the 1970s with their unique blend of R&B, soul, and rock music.

Sly and the Family Stone

In 1967, San Francisco-based Sly and the Family Stone released their debut album, “A Whole New Thing.” The record’s blend of soul, R&B, pop, and psychedelia helped to define the nascent funk sound, and its success – propelled by the Top Ten single “Dance to the Music” – made Sly and the Family Stone one of the most popular bands of the late 1960s. The group’s follow-up album, 1968’s “Life,” was an even bigger hit, reaching number four on the Billboard 200 on the strength of the singles “Everyday People” and “Stand!,” both of which topped the R&B charts.

The Godfathers of Funk

The godfathers of funk are a group of African American musicians who developed the funk music genre in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The godfathers of funk include George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and Parliament-Funkadelic. They were all born in Ohio and moved to Detroit in the early 1970s. Clinton and Collins were members of a band called The Parliaments, which later became Parliament-Funkadelic.

George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic

George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic (often shortened to Parliament-Funkadelic or just P-Funk) is an American musical collective headed by George Clinton. Their style has been variously described as funk, psychedelic soul, and Afrofuturism. The group began recording together in the mid-1960s; by the early 1970s, they had developed a fiercely original style that blended elements of rock, soul, R&B, and electronica; eschewed conventional lyrical themes in favor of extraterrestrial allegories and drug references; and pioneered further use of densely layered tracks and computer-generated sounds in popular music. They amassed a surprisingly devoted following among music fans during the 1970s despite little radio airplay or mainstream exposure; their intentionally campy theatrical stage shows became a significant influence on subsequent funk, hip hop, rap rock, and post-punk acts, as well several generations of electronic dance musicians.

Parliament-Funkadelic’s membership has fluctuated considerably over the years; Clinton is the only constant member of the collective since its inception. Several additional musicians have played significant roles in Parliament-Funkadelic throughout its history who were not included as members of Clinton’s “core band” but are still considered part of the collective, including Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins, Garry Shider, Glen Goins (deceased), Grady Thomas (deceased), Jerome Brailey (deceased), Ray Davis (deceased), Eddie Hazel (deceased), Joel Johnson (deceased), Walter “Junie” Morrison (deceased), Cordell Mosson (deceased), Rodney “Skeet” Curtis (deceased), Mike Hampton, Blackbyrd McKnight,Garry Marshall (not to be confused with the actor/director of the same name) , Lige Curry, DeWayne McKnight , 500 Clown’s 666 Brian Irwin.

Since 2008 Clinton has been backed by touring band featuring bassist Bill Laswell, guitarist Bernie Worrell , keyboardist Skip McDonald , percussionist Michael Hampton , singer/guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight , singer Susan Elizabeth CollinsClinton’s daughter Miss Velvet and The Blue Wolf , saxophoniste Garrett Shider 2 Pistols , drummer Gary Mudbone Cooper Jr., dancer Money B., singersand rappers Ashley Janae & Trey Lewd .

Bootsy Collins

Bootsy Collins is a singer, songwriter, and bass player who helped to create the distinctive sound of Funk music in the 1970s. He was a founding member of the seminal Funk band Parliament-Funkadelic, and he has played with many other famous musicians including James Brown, Miles Davis, and John Lennon. His playing style is characterized by its groove-oriented approach and use of funkified bass lines.

The Funk of the 70’s

Funk music emerged in the mid to late 60s, with bands like James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone. The term “funk” was first used to describe this type of music in 1968. Funk is a style of African American music that is characterized by a strong rhythm section, electric bass, and horn section. The lyrics are often based on topics such as sex, drugs, and social issues. Funk music was popular among black audiences in the 70s, but it also gained popularity with white audiences.

The Funk of the 70’s

The funk of the 70’s was a music genre that was a blend of soul, jazz, and R&B. It was created by African American artists who were influenced by the civil rights movement. The funk music of the 70’s was characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms, extended improvisation, and grooves.

The Death of Funk

While still retaining its roots in rhythm and blues, soul music began moving away from the repetitive, call-and-response singing style of artists like James Brown and began incorporating more complex, smoother vocal arrangements. At the same time, the sound of soul music became less reliant on horns and more reliant on string instruments. These changes paved the way for what would become known as funk music.

Funk is a style of music that originated in the mid-1960s. It is a hybrid of soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz. Funk is characterized by a driving beat, heavy bass, and performers who are often dressed flamboyantly. The musicians who created funk were looking to create a new sound that would appeal to a younger audience.

Funk was at its height of popularity in the 1970s. The decade saw the rise of many great funk bands, including Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy’s Rubber Band, The Gap Band, and Earth, Wind & Fire. These bands would go on to have tremendous commercial success and influence subsequent generations of musicians.

Unfortunately, funk would fall out of favor in the 1980s as new genres like hip hop and electronic dance music began to take hold. While there has been a recent revival of interest in funk music, it has yet to reach the level of popularity it once enjoyed.

Conclusion

The funk music of the 70’s was a fusion of many different genres that created a new style of music. This new style was heavily influenced by African American culture and the music of James Brown. Funky musicians such as George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and Parliament-Funkadelic became some of the most popular and influential musicians of the decade. The funk sound continues to be popular today, with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars incorporating it into their own music.