Sunday, June 20, 2010

RIP Diaperman



On my honor, when the Mothership came to town, things happened. Father's locked up their daughters, police went on high alert, drug dealers went into overdrive. It was better than any circus, anywhere.

I'm talking of course about, George Clinton's bands, Parliment-Funkadelic and the P-Funk All Stars.

George was a barber in Plainsfield N. J. One of his customers was a youth named Garry Shider, who along with his brothers sang vocals and backed up touring gospel groups that came through town. Garry also joined a group of kids, the the founding members of Funkadelic, who sang doo-whop at Clinton's barbershop. Garry's notable talent and drive, with George's support eventually led Garry to become the musical director of Parliment-Funkadelic and the P-Funk All Stars, and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

They were a group you had to see live to believe, and you still doubted what you saw. Such a show you never ever saw before or since. As a rule, the band would begin playing, with people walking all over the stage. Most had nothing to do with the band, but danced or sang and had a boatload of energy. An hour or so later George would appear and the energy level increased another 10 fold. The band did rock.

Garry, also know as Diaperman, because of the loincloth he wore on stage, died last week from various forms of cancer.












Respect to his family.
Toad

4 comments:

Karena said...

Toad I am totally amazed by his most colorful entertainment! What an absolute riot!

Karena
Art by Karena

Free Kansas said...

Peace & Love to the Starchild. Back to the Mothership once more.

Pigtown*Design said...

i heard this on npr the other day. nothing like p-funk... did you see the piece i did on TSOP?

xo

Giuseppe said...

Small children, English brollies, and P-Funk...this is why I love you, Toad.

I saw these guys once when I was 18. My jaw just hit the floor now even remembering it.