Wikipedia

Bernie Worrell

George Bernard Worrell, Jr.(April 19, 1944 – June 24, 2016)[1]was an Americankeyboardistand record producer best known as a founding member of theParliament-Funkadeliccollective. In later years, he also worked with acts such asTalking Heads,Bill Laswell,andJack Bruce.He is a member of theRock and Roll Hall of Fame,inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic. Worrell was described by journalistJon Parelesas "the kind of sideman who is as influential as some bandleaders," with his use ofsynthesizersparticularly impactful onfunkandhip hop.[2]

Bernie Worrell
Worrell performing in Vienna in 2009
Worrell performing in Vienna in 2009
Background information
Birth nameGeorge Bernard Worrell, Jr.
Also known asThe Wizard of Woo
Born(1944-04-19)April 19, 1944
Long Branch, New Jersey,U.S.
DiedJune 24, 2016(2016-06-24)(aged 72)
Everson, Washington,U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • piano
  • organ
  • synthesizer
Years activec. 1970–2016
Websitebernieworrell.com

Biography

edit

Early life

edit

Worrell was born inLong Branch, New Jersey,and grew up inPlainfield, New Jersey,where his family moved when he was eight.[1]A musicalprodigy,he began formal piano lessons by age three and wrote aconcertoat age eight. He went on to study at theJuilliard Schooland received a degree from theNew England Conservatory of Musicin 1967. As a college student, Worrell played with a group called Chubby & The Turnpikes; this ensemble eventually evolved intoTavares.[2]

1970s

edit

After meetingGeorge Clinton,leader of a Plainfield-baseddoo wopgroup calledThe Parliaments,Worrell moved with Clinton, The Parliaments and their backing band, The Funkadelics, toDetroit, Michigan;thereafter, both groups became collectively known asParliament-Funkadelic.During the 1970s the same group of musicians separately recorded under the namesParliamentandFunkadelic,(among several others), but toured as P-Funk. Worrell playedgrand piano,Wurlitzer electric piano,Hohner Clavinet,Hammond B3 organ,ARP String EnsembleandMoog synthesizer,co-wrote, and wrote horn and rhythmarrangementson hit recordings for both groups and other associated bands under the "Parliafunkadelicment Thang" production company, and many of his most notable performances were recorded withBootsy's Rubber Band,Parlet,The Brides of FunkensteinandThe Horny Horns.Worrell recorded a 1978 solo album,All the Woo in the World,with the musical backing of P-Funk's members.

While funk musicians traditionally utilized electric keyboards, such as the Hammond organ and FenderRhodes electric piano,Worrell was the second recipient of the Moog synthesizer created byBob Moog.[3]Mainly responsible for creating Parliament's futuristic sound, Worrell's use of theMinimoogbass on the Parliament song "Flash Light",on 1977'sFunkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome,heavily influenced the sound of R&B music and served as a bridge between American R&B and the insurgence ofnew wave,new ageandtechno.He used theARP Pro Soloistas well.[4]Worrell played synthesizer and digital keyboard[5]on P funk songs throughout the 1970s, most notably "Mothership Connection (Star Child)"and"Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)"fromMothership Connection(1975) and "Aqua Boogie"fromMotor Booty Affair(1978).

1980s

edit

When Parliament-Funkadelic took a hiatus from touring in the early 1980s, Worrell was recruited, along with other musicians from differingmusical genressuch as guitaristAdrian Belew,to perform and record withTalking Heads.Worrell's experience and feel for different arrangements enhanced the overall sound of the band. Though he never officially joined Talking Heads, he was ade factomember of the group for most of the '80s: appearing on one of their studio albums, several solo albums, two tours and performing in their 1984 concert filmStop Making Sense.Talking Heads officially disbanded in 1991. Worrell was later invited to perform with Talking Heads as part of their 2002 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[6]

In 1983, Worrell provided keyboard parts forMtume's hit song "Juicy Fruit".[7]

Worrell co-producedFred Schneider's 1984 solo albumFred Schneider and the Shake Societyand played keyboards and synthesizers on some of the album's tracks.

Worrell backstage in Cologne, Germany 1998

In 1987 he appeared on the critically acclaimed solo releaseCasual GodsbyJerry HarrisonofTalking Heads.The LP contained the USAlbum Rock Trackschart hit "Rev It Up",which reached number seven and appeared in the movieSomething Wild.He worked with Jerry Harrison on his other releases also.

1990s–2010s

edit

From the late 1980s through the 2010s, Worrell recorded extensively withBill Laswell,includingSly and Robbie's Laswell-producedRhythm Killersand the 1985Fela KutialbumArmy Arrangement.Worrell performed withGov't Mule.Through the beginning of the 21st century, he became a visible member of thejam bandscene, performing in many large summermusic festivals,sometimes billed asBernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors.He appeared on severalJack Brucealbums, includingA Question of Time,Cities of the Heart,MonkjackandMore Jack than God.

Worrell was a founding member of theCBS Orchestrawhen theLate Show with David Lettermanlaunched in August 1993, playing lead synthesizer. Worrell departed in November when the orchestra added a horn section.

In 1994, Worrell appeared on theRed Hot Organization's compilation album,Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool.The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of theAIDSepidemic in the African-American community,[8]was heralded as "Album of the Year" byTimemagazine.[9]

Worrell joined the rock groupBlack Jack Johnson,withMos Def,Will Calhoun,Doug WimbishandDr. Know.He appears with the band on Mos Def's 2004 releaseThe New Danger.

Worrell joined forces with bass legendLes Claypool,guitaristBucketheadand drummerBryan Mantiato form the groupColonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains.

In 2009, he joined longtime Parliament-Funkadelic guitaristDeWayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight,bassistMelvin Gibbsand drummer J.T. Lewis to form the band SociaLybrium. Their albumFor You/For Us/For Allwas released on Livewired Music in January 2010.

Worrell appeared in the 2004 documentary filmMoogwith synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog and several other Moog synthesizer musicians. In 2011, he toured withBootsy Collins,another major figure from Parliament-Funkadelic.

From 2011 through 2015, Worrell performed with his group, theBernie Worrell Orchestra.The band became known for the appearance of special guests at live performances, including Bootsy Collins,Tina Weymouth,Chris Frantz,Jimmy Destri,Mike Watt,Rah DiggaandGary Lucas.

In 2012 and 2013, Worrell played a series of concerts with guitaristSteve Kimock,bassistAndy Hess,and vocalist-percussionist Camille Armstrong. Kimock's son John Morgan Kimock played drums for the group in 2013.

Worrell worked on the Seattle-based Khu.éex' project fusing traditionalTlingitmusic with funk, jazz, and experimental music. The project includesPreston Singletary,Skerik,Stanton Moore,Captain RaabandRandall Dunnamong others.

In 2015, Worrell appeared in the movieRicki and the Flashas the keyboard player inMeryl Streep's band. The movie reunited Worrell with director Jonathan Demme, who had directedStop Making Sense.

Worrell was a judge for the 12th, 13th, and 14th annual Independent Music Awards.

During May 2016, theNew England Conservatory of Musicgave Worrell, who studied at the school until 1967, an honoraryDoctor of Musicdegree.[10]

Death

edit

In January 2016, Worrell was diagnosed with a "mild form" of prostate cancer, stage-four liver cancer and stage-fourlung cancer.[11]He relocated from New Jersey, his long-time home,[12]toBellingham, Washington.[13]

A tribute andbenefit concertto raise funds for Worrell's cancer treatment, produced by theBlack Rock Coalitionand featuring musicians with whom Worrell has worked over his career, occurred on April 4 and 5, 2016.[13][14]

On May 9, Worrell's wife Judie posted an update on his condition on his Facebook page:

As of Friday, Bernie can barely speak. Tumor has grown and Recurrent laryngeal nerve is pressing on vocal cord, paralyzing it. Treatment starts Tuesday to (hopefully) shrink tumor before it gets to other vocal cord and/or shuts down breathing. VERY difficult time for him.
I am updating y'all because many asked BUT do not consider this an invitation to bombard us with treatment ideas. Bernie is deciding what treatment he wants. I will delete any more messages that do not respect his decision(s).[15]

Judie Worrell issued a statement on Facebook on June 16 to friends and family that "I was just told that Bernie is now headed 'Home'."[16]She encouraged people close to Worrell to "visit him to say your goodbyes" and added that he is too ill to speak on the phone or text.[16]

Bernie Worrell died at his home inEverson, Washington,on June 24, 2016, at the age of 72.[17][18]His wife issued a statement that "Bernie transitioned Home to The Great Spirit. Rest in peace, my love—you definitely made the world a better place. Till we meet again, vaya con Dios."[3]

Following his death, guitaristBucketheadcreated a 21.5 minute long tribute song: 'Space Viking'. Buckethead published it on his 'Pike' series, as part of Pike 245. The song was captioned: "To Bernie Worrell, The Greatest Music Maker Of All".

Documentary

edit

Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earthis adocumentary filmabout Worrell's life, music and impact. AtAllMovie,critic Mark Deming wrote that the film "profiles his life and career while also examining how even a genius has to find a way to make a living".[19]

Discography

edit

Solo albums

edit

Funkadelic

edit

Parliament

edit

Selected contributions to other albums

edit

Awards

edit
  • Independent Music Awards 2013: "Get Your Hands Off" - Best Funk/Fusion/Jam Song[20]

References

edit
  1. ^abSweeting, Adam (June 26, 2016)."Bernie Worrell obituary".The Guardian.RetrievedNovember 9,2016.
  2. ^abPareles, Jon(June 24, 2016)."Bernie Worrell, Whose Keyboards Left an Imprint on Funk and Hip-Hop, Dies at 72".The New York Times.RetrievedJune 26,2016.
  3. ^abKaye, Ben (June 24, 2016)."R.I.P. Bernie Worrell, keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic and Talking Heads, has died at 72".Consequence of Sound.RetrievedJune 26,2016.
  4. ^Bosso, Joe (June 11, 2013)."Bernie Worrell talks vintage synths, ELP, Parliament/ Funkadelic, Talking Heads and more".MusicRadar.RetrievedMarch 25,2016.
  5. ^"Bernie Worrell".
  6. ^Greene, Andy (October 23, 2012)."Flashback: Talking Heads Reunite for One Night Only".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMarch 26,2016.
  7. ^Aaron, Charles; Reeves, Mosi (June 24, 2016)."Bernie Worrell: 10 Essential Tracks from the P-Funk Keyboardist".Rolling Stone.RetrievedJuly 2,2016.
  8. ^"Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool".Red Hot Organization.RetrievedMarch 25,2016.
  9. ^"The Best Music of 1994".Time.December 26, 1994.RetrievedMarch 25,2016.
  10. ^"NEC Announces 2016 Honorary Degree Recipients and Commencement Speaker".New England Conservatory of Music.May 2, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon June 6, 2016.RetrievedMay 30,2016.
  11. ^Goodman, Jessica (January 6, 2016)."Bernie Worrell diagnosed with late-stage cancer".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedMarch 25,2016.
  12. ^Jordan, Chris (June 21, 2012). "In New Jersey, legendary keyboardist Bernie Worrell is never far from home".Asbury Park Press.Worrell has brought that sense of fun to millions across the globe, most notably as a member of Parliament-Funkadelic. In the upcoming weeks, his focus will be on his home state of Jersey.
  13. ^abHermes, Will(March 25, 2016)."Inside Bernie Worrell's All-Star NYC Benefit".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMarch 25,2016.
  14. ^"Black Rock Coalition Honors P-Funk's Bernie Worrell".Ebony.March 2, 2016.RetrievedMarch 25,2016.
  15. ^"Bernie Worrell's Team Provides Update on Keyboardist's Worsening Health".jambase.com.May 9, 2016.RetrievedJune 18,2016.
  16. ^abPaige, Nathan (June 17, 2016)."Legendary Parliament Keyboardist Bernie Worrell's Condition Worsening, According to Wife, Judie".The Plain Dealer.RetrievedJune 18,2016.
  17. ^Kreps, Daniel (June 24, 2016)."Bernie Worrell, Parliament-Funkadelic Keyboardist, Dead at 72".Rolling Stone.RetrievedSeptember 27,2016.
  18. ^The Associated Press (June 24, 2016)."Bernie Worrell, keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic, dies at 72".Daily News.RetrievedNovember 9,2016.
  19. ^Deming, Mark."Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth".AllMovie.RetrievedMarch 25,2016.
  20. ^"The 12th Annual Independent Music Awards Winners Announced".Independent Music Awards. June 11, 2013.RetrievedMarch 25,2016.
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related toBernie Worrell.
Live Music Archive
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bernie_Worrell&oldid=1240511151"