Can someone solve a dispute?

How many of the original 13 Funk Brothers are still alive?

Can someone solve a dispute?

How many of the original 13 Funk Brothers are still alive?

I'd guess of the original 13

Eddie Willis

Jack Ashford

Joe Messina

( + Bob Babbit, didn't join until 1967)

Just been searching on the net and this is what I've sourced from Wiki and Soul Walking

Original 13:

1 Joe Hunter

2 Earl Van Dyke

3 Johnny Griffith

4 Robert White

5 Eddie Willis

6 Joe Messina

7 James Jamerson

8 Bob Babbitt

9 William Benjamin

10 Pistol Allen

11 Uriel Jones

12 Jack Ashford

13 Eddie Brown

Still living:

Eddie Willis

Jack Ashford

Joe Messina

Bob Babbitt

Can someone solve a dispute?

How many of the original 13 Funk Brothers are still alive?

Members of The TFB in the early days , were Joe Hunter and Earl Van Dyke ( piano ) ; James Jamerson ( bass guitar ) ; Benny " Papa Zita " Benjamin and Richard " Pistol " Allen ( drums ) ; Paul Riser ( trombone ) ; Robert White , Eddie Willis , and Joe Messina ( guitar ) ; Jack Ashford ( tambourine , percussion , vibraphone , marimba ) and Eddie " Bongo " Brown ( percussion ) . Hunter left in 1964 , replaced on keyboards by Johnny Griffith , and as bandleader by Van Dyke . Uriel Jones joined the band as a third drummer . Bassist Bob Babbitt joined in 1967 .

Benjamin died in 1969 , Jamerson in 1983 , Brown in 1984 , Van Dyke in 1992 , White in 1994 , Allen and Griffith

in 2002 , Hunter in 2007, and Uriel Jones in 2009 .

Malc Burton

Edited April 9, 201015 yr by Malc Burton

Norman Cook is still alive

Can't believe Andrew " Mike " Terry hasn't been mentioned yet ...his baritone sax playing on thousands of Motown and Detroit tracks is legendary....he always seems to be forgotten - why ? Best ,Eddie

Members of The TFB in the early days , were Joe Hunter and Earl Van Dyke ( piano ) ; James Jamerson ( bass guitar ) ; Benny " Papa Zita " Benjamin and Richard " Pistol " Allen ( drums ) ; Paul Riser ( trombone ) ; Robert White , Eddie Willis , and Joe Messina ( guitar ) ; Jack Ashford ( tambourine , percussion , vibraphone , marimba ) and Eddie " Bongo " Brown ( percussion ) . Hunter left in 1964 , replaced on keyboards by Johnny Griffith , and as bandleader by Van Dyke . Uriel Jones joined the band as a third drummer . Bassist Bob Babbitt joined in 1967 .

Benjamin died in 1969 , Jamerson in 1983 , Brown in 1984 , Van Dyke in 1992 , White in 1994 , Allen and Griffith

in 2002 , Hunter in 2007, and Uriel Jones in 2009 .

Malc Burton

So if Simon includes Bob Babbitt it looks like 3 of us (at least) agree there there are 4 left.

Can't believe Andrew " Mike " Terry hasn't been mentioned yet ...his baritone sax playing on thousands of Motown and Detroit tracks is legendary....he always seems to be forgotten - why ? Best ,Eddie

mike terry wasn't an official funk eddie, he worked freelance for all the detroit labels

What is all this nonsense about 'official' Funk Brothers? No such thing. The vast and varied array of session musicians at Motown numbered into the fifties and often featured whoever happened to be around at the time. It is only in the last few years that anyone actually referred to them as the "Funk Brothers'. The term was only used informally between the players themselves. People like Melvin Davis, Frank Bryant and many others played on sessions at different times. Totally agree with Eddie about the omission of Mike Terry - shameful and symbolic of the limited knowledge of the thread starter. I suggest he read Al Slutsky's book 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' to become familiar with the full array or, even better, watch the movie and check the credits.

Agree with the sentiments of yourself and Eddie.

Mike Terry's omission is nothing short of scandalous.

Plenty of literature available from people who were there about how Motown worked.

Just finished reading Motown - From the Background.

Heart warming and heart breaking in equal measure.

Recommended if you want an insight to what really went on.

What is all this nonsense about 'official' Funk Brothers? No such thing. The vast and varied array of session musicians at Motown numbered into the fifties and often featured whoever happened to be around at the time. It is only in the last few years that anyone actually referred to them as the "Funk Brothers'. The term was only used informally between the players themselves. People like Melvin Davis, Frank Bryant and many others played on sessions at different times. Totally agree with Eddie about the omission of Mike Terry - shameful and symbolic of the limited knowledge of the thread starter. I suggest he read Al Slutsky's book 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' to become familiar with the full array or, even better, watch the movie and check the credits.

Agree with the sentiments of yourself and Eddie.

Mike Terry's omission is nothing short of scandalous.

Plenty of literature available from people who were there about how Motown worked.

Just finished reading Motown - From the Background.

Heart warming and heart breaking in equal measure.

Recommended if you want an insight to what really went on.

Well said Tabs...and here's a pic of you with lovely author (and Andante) Louvain at Prestatyn.

Motown's Funk Brothers always seem to throw up angst when the individual's are mentioned. I think this is because they became so much more than just a band as people got to learn their true history from the people involved. Mike Terry not an official Funk Brother? His 'officialdom' is stamped all over the music of the company's golden era. Like many of the guys, he developed a talent that saw him have to spread his wings outside of Hitsville, but his contribution to 'The Sound of Young America' ranks up there with anyone elses I reckon.

Motown's Funk Brothers always seem to throw up angst when the individual's are mentioned. I think this is because they became so much more than just a band as people got to learn their true history from the people involved. Mike Terry not an official Funk Brother? His 'officialdom' is stamped all over the music of the company's golden era. Like many of the guys, he developed a talent that saw him have to spread his wings outside of Hitsville, but his contribution to 'The Sound of Young America' ranks up there with anyone elses I reckon.

Hope this helps ......

Detroit musicians for Motown

Keyboards:

Joe Hunter (band leader, 1959–1964)

Earl Van Dyke (band leader, 1964–1972)

Richard "Popcorn" Wylie (1959–1962)

Johnny Griffith (1963–1972)

Johnny Gittens (1963–1967)

Ted Sheely (1963–1967)

Guitars:

Robert White (1959–1972)

Eddie "Chank" Willis (1959–1972)

Joe Messina (1959–1972)

Larry Veeder (1959–1962)

Dave Hamilton (1959–1962)

Huey Davis (1959–1967, The Contours' road and studio guitarist)

Marvin Tarplin (1958–1973, The Miracles' road and studio guitarist).

Cornelius Grant (1963–1972, The Temptations' road guitarist/band leader)

Dennis Coffey (1967–1972)

Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin (1968–1972)

Ray Parker

Ray Monette

Bass:

James Jamerson (1959–1972)

Clarence Isabell (1959–1962)

Bob Babbitt (1967–1972)

Edward Pickens (1968–1972)

Tweed Beard

Joe Williams

Michael Henderson

Joe James

Drums:

William "Benny" Benjamin (1959–1969)

Richard "Pistol" Allen (1959–1972)

George McGregor (1959–1962)

Corey Jahns (1959–1967) bongos

Clifford Mack (1959–1962)

Marvin Gaye (1959–1962)

Uriel Jones (1963–1972)

[[Frederick Waites (1963–1967)

Andrew Smith (1968–1972)

Percussion:

Jack Ashford (1959–1972, tambourine)

Eddie "Bongo" Brown (1959–1972, various)

Vibes:

Jack Ashford (1959–1972) (also listed above)

Dave Hamilton (1959–1962)

James Gittens (1959–1962)

Jack Brokensha (1963–1972)

Trumpets:

Herbie Williams

John "Little John" Wilson

Marcus Belgrave

Russell Conway

Johnny Trudell

Floyd Jones

Maurice Davis

Billy Horner

Don Slaughter

Eddie Jones

Saxophones:

Henry "Hank" Cosby

Andrew "Mike" Terry

Norris Patterson

Thomas "Beans" Bowles

Teddy Buckner

Ronnie Wakefield

"Lefty" Edwards

Eli Fountain

Ernie Rodgers

Kasuka Malia

Eugene "BeeBee" Moore

William "Wild Bill" Moore

Angelo Carlisi

Dan Turner

Bernie Peacock

Larry Nozero

Lanny Austin

Trombones:

Bob Cousar

George Bohanon

Paul Riser

Jimmy Wilkens

Don White

Carl Raetz

Patrick Lanier

Bill Johnson

Ed Gooch

Flute:

Dayna Hartwick

Strings:

Gordon Staples and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Strings Section

Los Angeles musicians for Motown

Keyboards:

Mike Rubini

Joe Sample

Clarence McDonald

Don Randi

Larry Knechtel

Guitars:

Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin

Arthur Wright

David T. Walker

Tommy Tedesco

Louie Shelton

Adolph Green

Weldon T. Parks

Bass:

Wilton Felder

Carol Kaye

Bill Pitman

Jacob Aaron Greenberg

Ron Brown

Drums:

Earl Palmer

Jacob Greenberg

Gene Pello

Paul Humphreys

Percussion:

Gary Coleman

Bobbye Porter

King Errisson

Joe Clayton

Sandra Crouch

Jerry Steinholtz

Emil Richards

Arrangers and conductors

Detroit:

Paul Riser, Willie Shorter, Dave Van DePitte, Wade Marcus, Johnny Allen, Gil Askey, Ernie Wilkins, Jerry Long, Henry "Hank" Cosby, Slide Hampton, and H. B. Barnum

Los Angeles:

Gene Page, James Carmichael, and Arthur Wright

Malc Burton

Edited April 10, 201015 yr by Malc Burton

Hope this helps ......

Detroit musicians for Motown

Keyboards:

Joe Hunter (band leader, 1959-1964)

Earl Van Dyke (band leader, 1964-1972)

Richard "Popcorn" Wylie (1959-1962)

Johnny Griffith (1963-1972)

Johnny Gittens (1963-1967)

Ted Sheely (1963-1967)

Guitars:

Robert White (1959-1972)

Eddie "Chank" Willis (1959-1972)

Joe Messina (1959-1972)

Larry Veeder (1959-1962)

Dave Hamilton (1959-1962)

Huey Davis (1959-1967, The Contours' road and studio guitarist)

Marvin Tarplin (1958-1973, The Miracles' road and studio guitarist).

Cornelius Grant (1963-1972, The Temptations' road guitarist/band leader)

Dennis Coffey (1967-1972)

Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin (1968-1972)

Ray Parker

Ray Monette

Bass:

James Jamerson (1959-1972)

Clarence Isabell (1959-1962)

Bob Babbitt (1967-1972)

Edward Pickens (1968-1972)

Tweed Beard

Joe Williams

Michael Henderson

Joe James

Drums:

William "Benny" Benjamin (1959-1969)

Richard "Pistol" Allen (1959-1972)

George McGregor (1959-1962)

Corey Jahns (1959-1967) bongos

Clifford Mack (1959-1962)

Marvin Gaye (1959-1962)

Uriel Jones (1963-1972)

[[Frederick Waites (1963-1967)

Andrew Smith (1968-1972)

Percussion:

Jack Ashford (1959-1972, tambourine)

Eddie "Bongo" Brown (1959-1972, various)

Vibes:

Jack Ashford (1959-1972) (also listed above)

Dave Hamilton (1959-1962)

James Gittens (1959-1962)

Jack Brokensha (1963-1972)

Trumpets:

Herbie Williams

John "Little John" Wilson

Marcus Belgrave

Russell Conway

Johnny Trudell

Floyd Jones

Maurice Davis

Billy Horner

Don Slaughter

Eddie Jones

Saxophones:

Henry "Hank" Cosby

Andrew "Mike" Terry

Norris Patterson

Thomas "Beans" Bowles

Teddy Buckner

Ronnie Wakefield

"Lefty" Edwards

Eli Fountain

Ernie Rodgers

Kasuka Malia

Eugene "BeeBee" Moore

William "Wild Bill" Moore

Angelo Carlisi

Dan Turner

Bernie Peacock

Larry Nozero

Lanny Austin

Trombones:

Bob Cousar

George Bohanon

Paul Riser

Jimmy Wilkens

Don White

Carl Raetz

Patrick Lanier

Bill Johnson

Ed Gooch

Flute:

Dayna Hartwick

Strings:

Gordon Staples and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Strings Section

Los Angeles musicians for Motown

Keyboards:

Mike Rubini

Joe Sample

Clarence McDonald

Don Randi

Larry Knechtel

Guitars:

Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin

Arthur Wright

David T. Walker

Tommy Tedesco

Louie Shelton

Adolph Green

Weldon T. Parks

Bass:

Wilton Felder

Carol Kaye

Bill Pitman

Jacob Aaron Greenberg

Ron Brown

Drums:

Earl Palmer

Jacob Greenberg

Gene Pello

Paul Humphreys

Percussion:

Gary Coleman

Bobbye Porter

King Errisson

Joe Clayton

Sandra Crouch

Jerry Steinholtz

Emil Richards

Arrangers and conductors

Detroit:

Paul Riser, Willie Shorter, Dave Van DePitte, Wade Marcus, Johnny Allen, Gil Askey, Ernie Wilkins, Jerry Long, Henry "Hank" Cosby, Slide Hampton, and H. B. Barnum

Los Angeles:

Gene Page, James Carmichael, and Arthur Wright

Malc Burton

Hi Malc

I know I always fight Popcorns corner, but glad you have him in there. When ever you talk to guys around the city, they always refer to Richard as one of the founding members of the Funk Brothers. He was at Motown from it's earliest days, but left in the early sixties after a disagreement with Berry. He later returned to in the seventies for a short stint.

Also noticed Floyd Jones name in there. Floyd was married to Dee Edwards.

Dave

First time I've seen that pic.

Have you any more?

The Andantes, yet more truly talented individuals who never got the recognition they deserved.

On an equal par with the Funk Brothers imo.

Well said Tabs...and here's a pic of you with lovely author (and Andante) Louvain at Prestatyn.

the unequivical list from malc, if i can add a sentiment to that, it is that sadly the aftermath of the surviving members reunion, which initially was presented as a joyous occasion, descended into bitter sqabbles over the root of all evil...money. as a result the first gathering here, at the apollo manchester and abroad proved to be the only one where the, then, 7 surviving members would play together. i was dismayed to hear first hand from allan slutsky about what went on...remember this is the guy who spent almost a quarter of a century, persueing this musicians in the cause of giving the spotlight belatedly to them, and rightly so for all the hard work they had put in creating "THE SOUND" that we have all come to know and love and is also imbued in many of the iconic northern soul records we dance to each week.

i have to say, like so many others, that i will always feel privilaged to have witnessed their talent first hand when they set foot on these shores for the first time in 40 years and rolled back the pages of musical history, and the beloved autographs and pictures will be treasured always.maybe if they had resisted the temptation to become part of berry gordy's dream, they would have carried on plying thier trade as exponents of jazz, carried on earning a buck or two and been none the wiser about the big outside world, they may have survived just a little longer...and perhaps they may not have carried the burden of injustice and unfairness, which turned out to be the card dealt to them....but they didnt...instead they gave us all a musical phenomenon that is ingrained in our greycells and pumps the blood and adrenalin to all parts of the body as we rush to the dancefloor to acknowledge the motown sound and beat.

so, it dosnt really come down to officialdom in the long run does it?, the generalisation is. that they all pulled together at one time or another, and over two frantic decades they established an empire that has dwarfed everything else, they put down a marker that no other musical style has ever been able to match, they broke down racial barriers with their global appeal and they made us all dance like never before.

amen to that!

rob.h

What is all this nonsense about 'official' Funk Brothers? No such thing. The vast and varied array of session musicians at Motown numbered into the fifties and often featured whoever happened to be around at the time. It is only in the last few years that anyone actually referred to them as the "Funk Brothers'. The term was only used informally between the players themselves. People like Melvin Davis, Frank Bryant and many others played on sessions at different times. Totally agree with Eddie about the omission of Mike Terry - shameful and symbolic of the limited knowledge of the thread starter. I suggest he read Al Slutsky's book 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' to become familiar with the full array or, even better, watch the movie and check the credits.

How many of the original 13 Funk Brothers ( recognized as official band members by NARAS) are still alive? .....does that suit you?

I have seen the movie and I have the full and extensive list of musicians to hand.

No wonder I don't post more in this section with cracks like that. FFS

What is all this nonsense about 'official' Funk Brothers? No such thing. The vast and varied array of session musicians at Motown numbered into the fifties and often featured whoever happened to be around at the time. It is only in the last few years that anyone actually referred to them as the "Funk Brothers'. The term was only used informally between the players themselves. People like Melvin Davis, Frank Bryant and many others played on sessions at different times. Totally agree with Eddie about the omission of Mike Terry - shameful and symbolic of the limited knowledge of the thread starter. I suggest he read Al Slutsky's book 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' to become familiar with the full array or, even better, watch the movie and check the credits.

From the album "Pimps on tour"

Too right Rob,

Hang round the funeral parlour - you might get a session.

Remember to keep it "up tight man, uptight!"

See you later, John

What is all this nonsense about 'official' Funk Brothers? No such thing. The vast and varied array of session musicians at Motown numbered into the fifties and often featured whoever happened to be around at the time. It is only in the last few years that anyone actually referred to them as the "Funk Brothers'. The term was only used informally between the players themselves. People like Melvin Davis, Frank Bryant and many others played on sessions at different times. Totally agree with Eddie about the omission of Mike Terry - shameful and symbolic of the limited knowledge of the thread starter. I suggest he read Al Slutsky's book 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' to become familiar with the full array or, even better, watch the movie and check the credits.

SITSOM is a cracking read and film, and made by a fan who understands ALL the Funks great contribution to music up to the present day...lotsa love in that book. Another good 'un is Jack Ashfords "Motown - The View From The Bottom" ... really good insight into the hardscrabble life a lot of the Funks were forced to lead, esp after Motown's move from Detroit...there's a very funny account of the day someone tried to mug James Jamerson...but I won't spoil it

Edited April 10, 201015 yr by isis

How many of the original 13 Funk Brothers ( recognized as official band members by NARAS) are still alive? .....does that suit you?

I have seen the movie and I have the full and extensive list of musicians to hand.

No wonder I don't post more in this section with cracks like that. FFS

No ...it doesn't suit me! If you post erroneous, misleading or inaccurate information then you should expect the kind of responses received. The same thing happened when a couple of morons reported Ivy Jo Hunter's death when it was , in fact, Joseph E. Hunter a few years ago

I am intrigued however, to discover who or what gave NARAS the right to publish such rubbish, or, who it is? You still don't seem to get it though - there was no such thing as '13 original Funk Brothers'. The various manifestations of the studio band included many more over the years and involved scores of different people.

No ...it doesn't suit me! If you post erroneous, misleading or inaccurate information then you should expect the kind of responses received. The same thing happened when a couple of morons reported Ivy Jo Hunter's death when it was , in fact, Joseph E. Hunter a few years ago

I am intrigued however, to discover who or what gave NARAS the right to publish such rubbish, or, who it is? You still don't seem to get it though - there was no such thing as '13 original Funk Brothers'. The various manifestations of the studio band included many more over the years and involved scores of different people.

Since when asking a question is posting erroneous, misleading or inaccurate information?

No ...it doesn't suit me! If you post erroneous, misleading or inaccurate information then you should expect the kind of responses received. The same thing happened when a couple of morons reported Ivy Jo Hunter's death when it was , in fact, Joseph E. Hunter a few years ago

I am intrigued however, to discover who or what gave NARAS the right to publish such rubbish, or, who it is? You still don't seem to get it though - there was no such thing as '13 original Funk Brothers'. The various manifestations of the studio band included many more over the years and involved scores of different people.

To tell you the truth I don't give a rats arse whether it suits you or not...that was a rhetorical question anyway.

.

I've better things to do than keep coming back to this post and checking your personal retorts.

I've found the answer to my original question and I'm contented with it....end of!