Motown’s Funk Brothers to receive star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Written by admin on March 6, 2013 – 9:13 pm -Motown’s legendary house band, the Funk Brothers, will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 21.
Guitarist Eddie Willis and percussionist Jack Ashford are among the musicians planning to attend the ceremony. Guitarist Joe Messina, 86, has also expressed an interest in attending, but no final decision has been made.
Sadly, many of the Funk Brothers have passed away, including James Jamerson, Benny Benjamin, Earl Van Dyke, Robert White, Johnnie Griffith, Pistol Allen, Uriel Jones, and Bob Babbitt. Some family members will be on hand to accept the honour though, including James Jamerson Jr whose father is regarded as one of the most important bassists in pop history.
The Funk Brothers had support from famous fans in securing the $25,000 fee for the Hollywood star, including Ray Parker Jr, Valerie Simpson, and David Letterman’s bandleader Paul Shaffer.
The profile of the Funk Brothers was raised among pop fans by the excellent 2002 documentary “Standing in the Shadows of Motown,” the soundtrack of which won two Grammys. This was followed by a Lifetime Achievement Grammy for the Funk Brothers in 2004. The star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is another richly deserved award for this highly talented and influential group of musicians.
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Standing in the Shadows of Motown (DVD) |
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Tags: Funk Brothers, Funk Brothers Hollywood Walk of Fame star, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Motown
Posted in Awards, Motown |
