George Clinton - Photo: Nitin Vadukuln
When George Clinton founded the Parliaments, he had the standard issue ’50s Doo Wop look — clean shaven, slicked back hair, sharp suit. At 2010’s Grammy Awards, Clinton looked like a gene spliced voodoo priest/tie-dyed Zulu shaman/bearded rooster on a mescaline drip.
Surfing his career’s inevitable peaks and valleys, Clinton has notched a highlight reel of incredible accomplishments: over 40 hit R&B singles and three No. 1s with Parliament-Funkadelic; a trio of platinum albums; production credits for Bootsy Collins, Red Hot Chili Peppers and others; an amazingly diverse solo career; a reputation as one of Funk’s primary architects with the additional honor of being one of music’s most sampled artists; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee; NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award recipient; and object of idol worship in the Rock and Rap communities.
What’s happened to — and because of — Clinton in the 50-plus years between those extremes is nothing less than the history of Soul, Funk and Rock; his shadow looms large across the musical landscape.
George Clinton and the Parliament FunkadelicGeorge Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic perform at Bogart's Friday. Go here to read Brian Baker's full Sound Advice.
