2008 Woodie Awards
The Mateel prepares to get funked up
Terria Smith
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Music
Unique funk artist George Clinton scheduled his tour's next stop on Feb. 8 in the tiny southern Humboldt town of Redway, Calif. Clinton's performance serves as a benefit show for the Mateel Community Center.
Over the years, Clinton has become recognizable to many because of his eccentric stage presence and multicolored, dreadlocked hair. His current P-Funk band consists of various members from his groups Parliament and Funkadelic that started in the 1970's.
Justin Crellin, talent and marketing representative for the Mateel, said the show will be one of the center's most memorable.
"Bring two booties," Clinton said during a telephone interview. "One to dance with and one to walk home with."
Frank Waddy, drummer and road manager for P-Funk, began playing with Clinton back in 1972. "In the '70s people were afraid of George," Waddy said. "He was so different it was scary. He was out a little too far for your average Joe."
Rolling Stone Magazine has compared P-Funk's improvisational stage performances to those of the Grateful Dead. Waddy also said when the Grateful Dead's lead singer Jerry Garcia passed away P-Funk drew in many of their fans.
"The world has to have 'a guy'," Waddy said, who played with James Brown before joining with Clinton. "For a minute it was James Brown. James is gone now. Now George is the guy. George is like the last man standing."
With a versatile music career, Clinton's P-Funk has been responsible for creating funk classics like "Atomic Dog" and "Flashlight." Clinton also produced the Red Hot Chili Peppers' second album "Freaky Styley." His music is also some of the most sampled in hip-hop music, where uses range from artists like Snoop Dog to underground groups like The Coup.
"The DNA in hip-hop is funk," Clinton said.
Garry Shider, P-Funk guitar player for 37 years, said funk music has been able to stay alive thanks to its inclusion in hip-hop.
Clinton also said he is happy with the alliances P-Funk has been able to make with hip-hop.
Over the years, Clinton has become recognizable to many because of his eccentric stage presence and multicolored, dreadlocked hair. His current P-Funk band consists of various members from his groups Parliament and Funkadelic that started in the 1970's.
Justin Crellin, talent and marketing representative for the Mateel, said the show will be one of the center's most memorable.
"Bring two booties," Clinton said during a telephone interview. "One to dance with and one to walk home with."
Frank Waddy, drummer and road manager for P-Funk, began playing with Clinton back in 1972. "In the '70s people were afraid of George," Waddy said. "He was so different it was scary. He was out a little too far for your average Joe."
Rolling Stone Magazine has compared P-Funk's improvisational stage performances to those of the Grateful Dead. Waddy also said when the Grateful Dead's lead singer Jerry Garcia passed away P-Funk drew in many of their fans.
"The world has to have 'a guy'," Waddy said, who played with James Brown before joining with Clinton. "For a minute it was James Brown. James is gone now. Now George is the guy. George is like the last man standing."
With a versatile music career, Clinton's P-Funk has been responsible for creating funk classics like "Atomic Dog" and "Flashlight." Clinton also produced the Red Hot Chili Peppers' second album "Freaky Styley." His music is also some of the most sampled in hip-hop music, where uses range from artists like Snoop Dog to underground groups like The Coup.
"The DNA in hip-hop is funk," Clinton said.
Garry Shider, P-Funk guitar player for 37 years, said funk music has been able to stay alive thanks to its inclusion in hip-hop.
Clinton also said he is happy with the alliances P-Funk has been able to make with hip-hop.
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