Music:
Member Since: 12/4/2005
Band Website: standingintheshadowsofmotown.com
Band Members: Piano:
Joe Hunter
Earl Van Dyke
Johnny Griffith
Bass Guitar:
James Jamerson
Bob Babbitt
Drums:
William "Benny" Benjamin
Richard "Pistol" Allen
Uriel Jones
Percussion:
Jack Ashford
Jack Brokensha
Eddie 'Bongo' Brown
Guitar:
Robert White
Eddie Willis
Joe Messina
Dennis Coffey
Wah Wah Watson
Influences: The Funk Brothers were not only influenced by musicians before them, they had also influenced an infinate number of contemporaries as well as many musicians who came after them. The band was composed of jazz virtuosos who were in Detroit at the time the Motown record label was starting up. Their ability to create Number 1 Hits, starting with just a simple riff and building it up, is a renowned talent that is likely to never be duplicated. With all of their skills combined, they created not only the tracks that brought others to fame, but the groove of the entire record label. The Funk Brothers were the backbone of the genre Motown, and up until recently when the DVD - Standing in the Shadows of Motown - gave them the credit they deserved, they were unknown.
Sounds Like: Jazz, funk, and soul all thrown into one...not to mention a little wah-wah. The talent of the individuals in band was (and still is to this day) out of this world. Unlike several more modern bands, each member accepted their role in the band. When they brought all the pieces together, magic was produced. They could create ..1 hits, starting with just a simple guitar riff or a single horn lick. No other band in the history of the world will ever be able to repeat what the Funk Brothers accomplished.
Record Label: Motown Records (Detroit)
Type of Label: Major
