Funk Music

Emilio Castillo plays second tenor sax, as well as providing background and lead vocals for the band he help establish in 1968 called Tower of Power! The year before Emilio formed a band called the Motowns, which became Tower of Power after meeting the Stephen “Doc” Kupka. They began writing original songs together and landed several top hits including “You’re Still a Young Man” (1972), “Down to the Nightclub” (1973), “What is Hip?” (1974) and a dozen albums such as Back on the Streets released in 1979 

Mike Clark helped established the funk-based drumming sound that emerged out of Oakland and the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1960s and 70s. In fact, his “The Funk Stops Here” was used for a radio ad before he recorded it with Herbie Hancock, as an original member of the Head Hunters. Mike’s creative and driving style has become an important part of funk drumming and his most famous beats can be heard on R&B and Hip Hop recordings by countless performers as samples.

George Clinton is the funk mastermind behind some of the now landmark recordings of Parliament and Funkadelic beginning in the 1970s, including the largely successful hit “Flashlight.” George Clinton was also an early pioneer in the use of electronic keyboards and the process in which electronic instruments were being recorded. In recent years, he has been a fixture at the NAMM show, not only as endorsee, but as a musician passionate about music making.
 

George Duke built his musical career on innovative styles and sounds. His reputation for creative and influential performances cross over jazz, pop and rock music and have since his early recordings in the 1960s. The dozen albums he recorded with Frank Zappa included George’s use of synthesizers in those early and developmental days, such as the Moog and ARP products. George also enjoyed a notable solo career with a string of R&B and Funk recordings including “Reach for It” and the “Dukey Stick,” both of which appeared on the 1979 album A Brazilian Love Affair, recorded in Rio. Since that time George has been active with world-tours, recording sessions and film work.

Stephen “Doc” Kupka met Emilio Castillo in July, 1968, and discovered they both had a dream to form a rock and roll band with a strong horn element. By the end of the year the band began touring and was discovered by Bill Graham two years later when the Tower of Power recorded their first album, East Bay Grease. Doc and Emilio wrote most of the band’s songs including most of their long list of hit records including “What Is Hip?,” “So Very Hard to Go,” and “Only So Much Oil” among others. Tower of Power continues to tour with one of the tightest horn sections around!  

Bobby Martin was one of the architects who developed the Philly Sound that provided a unique twist of soul and funk records of the 1960s and 70s. As a producer he worked with many top artists of the day and as an arranger he gave us the blend of blues and funk on “For the Love of Money” with the O’Jays as well as smooth love songs such as the Bluenote’s big hit “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” which featured a young Teddy Pendergrass. Bobby’s passion for music as a vibraphonist began when he first heard Lionel Hampton in concert and his career in music soon followed.

Frank Waddy has been playing drums since he was a small child. During his long and creative musical career, he has played with artists such as James Brown and George Clinton. Frank has established himself as a solid and consistent player with an eye on innovative beats and styles. As a songwriter and arranger, Frank has added his musical direction to such groups as Parliament and Funkadelic. Frank’s NAMM Oral History interview was completed on May 24, 2006. 

Bernie Worrell began playing classical music as a small child and it soon led to his life-long passion for music! He met George Clinton, who at the time was leading a Doo-Wop group called The Parliaments. As Bernie experimented with electronic keyboards and synthesizers he teamed with George to pen several songs. As the group began to record they established a loyal fan base and soon hit the charts with what are now classic funk songs such as “Flash Light.” Over the decades Bernie could be found at most winter NAMM Shows demonstrating the latest gear from companies like Dave Smith Designs.