Most recent blog posts from the Funk Music Hall of Fame and Exhibition Center
After you finish watching “Empire” on Fox 45 tonight (9pm to 10pm), stay for Fox 45 News at 10. You’ll…
After you finish watching "Empire" on Fox 45 tonight (9pm to 10pm), stay for Fox 45 News at 10. You’ll learn about the Miami Valley's Funk Music "Empire". Reporter/anchor Natasha William gets the story from David R. Webb, President & CEO of The Funk Music Hall of Fame & Exhibition Center. Miss the News? Look for our link to the interview shortly.
On The One
It all started in 1965 at Roosevelt and Dunbar high schools in Dayton, Ohio. The initial sound can be attributed to James Brown, and some of the first groups were The Morrocos, London Fog and the Continentals. The following list highlights the trailblazers of the Dayton Funk sound:
- Ohio Players (first to get a national contract) – The first Ohio band to get a major record label contract; the band was active from 1959 thru 2002; they were also known as The Ohio Untouchables (original band broke up in 1963); the band was signed to Bound, Mercury (1974), Arista and Boardwalk record labels; gold singles were Funky Worm, Skin Tight, Love Rollercoaster; platinum albums were Skin Tight, Fire and Honey; founding members were Robert Ward (vocals/guitar), Marshall Jones (bass), Clarence Satchell (saxophone/guitar), Cornelius Johnson (drums), Ralph Middlebrooks (trumpet/trombone); Gregory Webster (drums) and Leroy Bonner (guitar) joined the band in 1963 after Ward left for a solo career. The group re-invented themselves several times from 1963 to 2002. (Other notable members: Walter Morrison (keyboards), Jimmy Williams (drums).
- Lakeside – The band became active in 1969 and is still active today; the band is also known as The Nomads, Ohio Lakeside Express, and The Young Underground; the band was signed to Solar and ABC labels; the founding members are Stephen Skockley (lead guitar), Mark Wood (lead vocals), Tiemeyer McCain (vocals), Norman Beavers (keyboards), Thomas Shelby (lead/background vocals), Marvin Craig (bass 1973 – present); Fred Lewis (percussion/mini moog 1974 – present), Otis Stokes (lead/background vocals 1975 – present), Fred Alexander Jr. (drums 1977 – present). Other notable members – Donald Tabie (keyboards/vocals, Johnny Roger (keyboards).
- Roger Troutman & The Human Body, later known as Zapp – The began became active in 1975 and remains active today; the band was signed to Warner Brothers and Zapptown Records (Reprise and Oarfin were labels Roger signed with also) labels; founding members were Roger Troutman (all instruments), Lester Troutman (drums), Terry Troutman (keyboards/bass/background vocals), Gregory Jackson (keyboards/lead & background vocals), Bobby Glover, Vontel Troutman and Larry Troutman (percussion). Roger Troutman is well-known for his use of the Talk Box/Electro Harmonix “Golden Throat”.
- Faze – O – The band was signed to She Records; the founding members were Keith Harrison (keyboards/lead & background vocals), Ralph Aikens (guitar/Talk Box/lead & background vocals), Tyrone Crum (bass/lead & background vocals), Robert Neal Jr. (percussion/lead & background vocals) and Roger Parker (drums/percussion).
- Slave – The band was active between 1975 and 1996; they were signed to Cotillion, Atco and Ichiban (subsidiary of Atlantic) record labels; gold albums were Slave and Stone Jam; their founding members were Steve Washington (trumpet), Steve Arrington (drums/percussion/lead & background vocals), Mark Adams (bass), Mark Hicks (guitar/lead & background vocals), Floyd Miller (trombone), Tom Lockett Jr. (tenor & alto sax), Carter Bradley (keyboards), Danny Webster (guitar), Orion Wilhoite (keyboards), Tim Dozier (drums); Other notable members were Starleana Young (vocals), Curt Jones, and Ray Turner (keyboards).
- Sun – The band became active in 1976 and remains active today; they were signed to Capitol, Air City Records, Century Vista and Blip Blop Records; the founding members were Byron Byrd (tenor saxophone/keyboard/vocals), Kym Yancy (drums), Chris Jones (trumpet/vocals), John Wagner (trumpet/vocals), Hollis Melson (bass/vocals) and Shawn Sandridge (guitar) (NOTE: On Sun’s first album deal, Roger Troutman played guitar and talk box and Lester Troutman played drums) Other notable session musicians were Sheldon Reynolds (of Slave on guitar), Roger Parker (of Faze-O on drums), and Larry Houston (keyboards) just to name a few.
- Dayton – The band was active between 1980 and 1985; they were signed to both Liberty Records and Capitol labels; the founding members were Chris Jones (trumpet/keyboards/vocals), Shawn Sandridge (guitar/vocals), Derrick Armstrong (vocals), Kevin Hurt (drums/percussion), Jennifer Mathews (vocals) and Rachel Beavers (vocals).
- Aurra (Deja) – The band was active between 1979 and 1986 as Aurra and 1987 to 1989 as Deja; they were signed to Salsoul, Next Plateau, 10 Records (UK), and Virgin labels; the founding members were Curt Jones, Starleana Young, Charles Carter and Buddy Hankerson. Other notable musicians were Steve Washington (Slave), Charles Carter, Mark Stevens, and Thomas Lockett Jr.