1960s thru 1980s Funk Music Charts from New York Bands
Check out these funk music charts from some of the most popular bands in New York during the 1960s and 1980s.
Funk Music in the 1960s
Funk music in the 1960s was a blend of R&B, soul, and jazz. The earliest funk music was created by New York bands like James Brown and the J.B.’s, Sly and the Family Stone, and Parliament-Funkadelic. These bands combined elements of R&B, soul, and jazz to create a new sound that was both danceable and politically charged.
Funk music became popular in the 1970s as more and more artists began experiment with the style. George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic collective was one of the most prominent funk bands of the decade, and their influence can be heard in the work of other artists like Bootsy Collins, Prince, and Rick James.
The 1980s saw a return to more traditional R&B sounds, but funk continued to be an important influence on many artists. Deee-Lite’s “Groove Is in the Heart” became one of the defining tracks of the decade, blending funk, pop, and hip-hop into a new and unique sound.
Funk Music in the 1970s
Funk music in the 1970s saw a number of changes. The decade began with the genre’s golden age, marked by the release of groundbreaking albums like James Brown’s Check Mr. Popeye and George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic. In the middle of the decade, as disco began to take over the charts, funk began to adapt, incorporating elements of the new style into hits like KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight” and Chic’s “Le Freak.” By the end of the 1970s, as punk and New Wave were taking over radio playlists, funk was in decline, although many of its biggest stars continued to enjoy success with crossover hits like Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall” and Parliament’s “Flash Light.”
Funk Music in the 1980s
During the 1980s, Funk music continued to evolve, with New York City bands leading the way. Hip hop music also became popular during this time, and many Funk songs incorporated elements of hip hop. These types of songs often topped the Funk charts in the 1980s. Some popular examples include:
-Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force: “Planet Rock”
-Run DMC: “Walk This Way”
-Public Enemy: “Fight the Power”
-Bell Biv DeVoe: “Poison”
-Salt n’ Pepa: “Push It”
Funk Music Today
Funk music began to crystallize in the late 1960s with bands like James Brown and The J.B.’s, Sly and the Family Stone, The Parliament-Funkadelic, and War. These bands mixed R&B with elements of Jazz, Soul, Latin music, and even Psychedelia to create a new sound that was both danceable and politically charged. In the 1970s, Funk continued to evolve with artists like Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Curtis Mayfield, and Ohio Players helping to define the genre. Funk music peaked in popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s with hits like Chic’s “Le Freak,” Parliament’s “Flash Light,” and Prince’s “Purple Rain.” Today, Funk music is enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to artists like Bruno Mars, Kendrik Lamar, Childish Gambino, and Anderson .Paak.
