The Funk Brothers were the band responsible for virtually 100% of all Motown Records hits that played behind the Motown stars from 1959 to 1972. Although well-known in Detroit jazz clubs, they were anonymous on Motown recordings until the 1970s, when the studio recognized the backing musicians. Over the years, more than 50 musicians toured Studio A’s “snake pit” providing the driving rhythm that distinguished the “Motown Sound”.
They are the workers of the hit machine, heard on more No. 1 records than Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Rolling Stones – combined.
QUICK HIGHLIGHT
First hit: “Come To Me” by Marv Johnson
Biggest hit: “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye
Best Album: That Motown Sound
Career Highlight: Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award
Circa 1958, Berry Gordy summons James Jamerson, better known as the heart of the Motown sound. His extraordinary musicianship is recorded on numerous records throughout the company’s Detroit era, with “My Girl”, “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “What’s Going On” among his many achievements.
William “Benny” Benjamin, better known as “Papa Zita”, was Motown’s first drummer. Benjamin like Jamerson has roots in jazz.
In 1963 it was the turn of Earl Van Dyke (the keyboardist) and frontman of the Funks, after some time on the road with Aretha Franklin and Lloyd Price. In addition to playing on dozens of Motown hits, his leadership role is “just keeping up,” he says. Such modesty.
These three are the most recognizable of the many musicians of music shaped and recorded in Hitsville, USA, from 1959 to 1972. But we can’t forget guitarists Eddie “Chank” Willis, Robert White and Joe Messina keyboardists Joe Hunter and Johnny Griffith; drummers Richard “Pistol” Allen and Uriel Jones; percussionists Jack Ashford and Eddie “Bongo” Brown; and bassist Bob Babbitt. The sax solos flow from Norris Patterson, Mike Terry and Eli Fontaine, among others. Later, guitarists Dennis Coffey and Wah Wah Watson modernized the house.
The group, instrumental in creating the famous Motown sound, was almost completely unknown to the public. When Motown artists went on tour, they were usually accompanied by other musicians. A 2002 documentary film, Standing in the Shadows of Motown brought attention to the neglected Motown band. The film focuses on 13 core members of the Funk Brothers, and the film’s trailer credits them with more number-one hits than the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys and Elvis combined. At the 2004 Grammy ceremonies, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award and have received numerous awards since then.
The musicians are not publicly credited for their work until 1971, when Marvin Gaye lists their names on the cover of his album, What’s Going On. But Motown’s 1972 move to Los Angeles separates the Funks as a unit. Many head west, but their heyday in Motor City is history.
James Jamerson and Benny Benjamin are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and 2003, respectively. At the 45th annual Grammy® ceremony, all the Funks’ names are read aloud as the Standing In The Shadows Of Motown soundtrack album takes home two awards. The following year, they are honored with the Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award.
Alongside the Funks, the Andantes are an essential part of the classic Motown sound. They sing background on thousands of company recordings in Detroit, behind all the great artists. They have a single in their own right, “(Like A) Nightmare” from 1964.
The Andantes are Louvain Demps, Jackie Hicks and Marlene Barrow, later joined by Pat Lewis. Louvain makes his connection to Motown in 1959 as part of the Rayber Voices, Berry Gordy’s first singers. When Jackie and Marlene join her, they become her main background mermaids starting in 1962.
The Funk Brothers sometimes did work on other labels, though they were penalized by Gordy if caught. They supported the Capitols on “Cool Jerk” and Jackie Wilson on “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”.
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