Famous Parliament-Funkadelic musician George Clinton will be honored by his friends from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
On January 19, George Clinton will officially receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “ It feels really goodhe declares to WECB during a phone call from his home in Tallahassee, Florida. I try to find jokes to tell, but the truth is that I’m very proud. »
The ceremony honoring the mastermind of Parliament-Funkadelic (whose music added psychedelic and Afrofuturist touches to funk, thus laying the foundations for hip-hop) will take place on January 19 at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Musicians Institute and will be broadcast in live on WalkOfFame.com.
One of the speakers will be Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who has known Clinton since recording the album in 1985 Freaky Styley by the Chili Peppers, produced by Clinton. “ George is a national treasuresays Flea, the bassist of the Chili Peppers, to WECB. He is a cosmic light, and I have learned to bask in his glow, again and again. His records are an infinite gift that never stops renewing itself; there is always something new to learn. His music transcends all human boundaries, and it will endure forever. »
George Clinton, 82, reflected on his six-decade career since learning he was being honored. When asked how he views his legacy, he says he doesn’t like to dwell on the macrocosmic significance of his career because those thoughts might make him lazy. Even today, he feels the need to prove himself. Listening to artists like Eminem, BeyoncĂ© and Prince motivates him to continue.
The legendary musician is currently working on three untitled music projects, including one that features numerous special guests and has him extremely excited. He also spends time making visual art and touring with the P-Funk All Stars. “ What else could I do? I’m going fishing. I tried to retire two or three times. I did that for a minute and started painting, which brought me back to music because that’s what I was painting. I’ve been touring and I’ve never been better. All the places we go to now are full. If I had to feel like I had succeeded, it would be now. »
But when he takes time to reflect on his career, he considers accolades such as being included on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to be an honor he shares with many people – the dozens of musicians who have performed with him within Parliament, Funkadelic, Bootsy’s Rubber Band, and many others.
George Clinton adds that he can’t wait to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers reunite at the ceremony. He still vividly remembers welcoming them to his farm in Brooklyn, Michigan, in the spring of 1985, to record Freaky Styley and the pleasure they had doing it. “ They reminded me of ourselves when we were really younger, doing headbangs and everything. Their groove was a new version of what I remember from Iggy Pop. So I knew where they were coming from, and it worked wonderfully when we got in the studio and just grooved. »
Clinton enlisted P-Funk stalwarts Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Robert “P-Nut” Johnson, Garry Shider and others to help the Chili Peppers find their groove on this album. Those sessions laid the foundation for decades of mutual respect that led to meetings between Clinton and the Chili Peppers in recent years in Australia and Los Angeles.
This good nature also speaks to a more important aspect of Mr. Clinton’s legacy: his ability to bring out the best in artists. “ When you are appreciated, you can let go of part of your egohe explains. You put them in the spotlight, you promote them and you highlight them, and then you can do things you never thought you could do. So when I see someone has something to do, I focus on them and overexpose them. »
It’s a philosophy he sums up in the title of Funkadelic’s 1970 album, Free Your Mind…and Your Ass Will Follow. It’s a way of thinking that has guided his career ever since and helped him achieve honors such as the Walk of Fame star. “ If you can help people have a good time, you know it’s a good thinghe said. We all came to the party together. »
