Articles
Influential Funk guitarist Phelps “Catfish” Collins dead at 66
Category: Entertainment Written by Courier Newsroom
(Soul-Patrol.com)--Influential funk guitarist Phelps “Catfish” Collins (1944-2010) succumbed to cancer Aug. 6 at the age of 66. Collins, along with younger brother and legendary bass player Bootsy, was an architect of funk as a member of James Brown’s J.B.’s, Parliament/Funkadelic and Bootsy’s Rubber Band. He was responsible for some of the funkiest rhythm guitar riffs ever laid down.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Catfish Collins started playing guitar at an early age and influenced his younger brother Bootsy who learned to play bass. In 1968, the Collins brothers formed a group called The Pacemakers and did session work at King Records, the original label of the late, great James Brown, who liked their innovative funk sound that emphasized the bass and guitar being out front instead of in the background. He later hired the Pacemakers to replace Brown's longtime band members who had walked out because of money disputes. The band became known as the J.B.'s and collaborated with Brown on enduring funk classics "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine", "Super Bad", "Soul Power" and "Talking Loud And Saying Nothing."
By 1971, Catfish Collins and the rest of the J.B.'s had quit James Brown and formed the House Guests, and then joined Funkadelic after meeting George Clinton, who wanted to incorporate that James Brown groove. They contributed to the groundbreaking Funkadelic album "America Eats Its Young", the beginning of a long run of memorable funk jams with Parliament/Funkadelic and Bootsy's Rubber Band. Often cited is Catfish Collin's outstanding rhythm guitar licks on the Parliament hit "Flashlight."
--Skip Kelley, Washington D.C.
"THE HONORABLE CATFISH Z-CLASS-BLOCK PARTY"
I know a lot of you are busy doing yo thang,
But if you could only help me spread the good news about one of the greatest people of all times. I want everybody to know not only what the Catfish meant to me, but what he did in the music field that would ordinarily go unnoticed. Help me to get the Catfish his props by joining us if your schedule allows or by sending us a Video to honor the Catfish for a job well done.
The video could be 3 to 5 minutes saying something about him, his contribution to music, the funk and the history of it all that he helped to change.
He was street all the way and he saw a chance to help me his brother get off the streets so he did all that he could to push me up and out of the ditches so I could get out and help others, even if it meant he wouldn't make it with me. That is a true blood brother.
Join us on Sept. 4 and if you can't come in the flesh the VIDEO would be the next best thing.
Please send all video's to: Atten: Patti Willis 817 Barg Salt Run Rd. Cincinnati Ohio 45244.
If you can send them hi-quality by email you can do that as well, send them to this email address:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We need these Video's by: end of 3nd week in Aug. so we would have time to add them all in the program, they will start out the show. For more details call: Patti at 513-236-2724 cell.
Tom Joyner, we expect you to be here in the flesh with the Funk Mob to MC and hang out with Funk University, Faith Daniels from Mojo, Lincoln Ware from the Buzz and all the other surprise guest that are going to come to honor the greatest Brother and Goodtarist in the world. "Catfish Collins"
Thanks for your consideration and support.
Bootsy!!!
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Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28
Hits: 2313
The Sound Machine from ‘Police Academy’... Iconic comedian brings unique one-man show to city
Category: Entertainment Written by Genea Webb
Awesome is the only word that can be used to describe comedian Michael Winslow’s show at the Pittsburgh Improv.
Winslow, who caught the attention of viewers as the kooky Larvelle “Motor Mouth” Jones in the “Police Academy” franchise, proved that he is a well-rounded performer who enjoys sharing his unique talent for voice impressions with audiences around the world.
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MICHAEL WINSLOW
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Winslow’s first television appearance was on the “Gong Show” where he did spot-on sound effects of Benji the movie dog, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.”
Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28
Hits: 4184
L. King appreciaties being part of local hip-hop culture
Category: Entertainment Written by Ashley G. Woodson
Hip-hop is in his blood and listening to Eric B and Rakim and other hip-hop made him feel like this is right where he was supposed to be. The hip-hop culture is good and he appreciates being a part of it. The music is starting to wake up because hip-hop music was in a depressed time, said Lindsey King, 28, who learned a great deal growing up in a tough neighborhood in the Hill District on Whiteside Road.
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LINDSEY KING
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The son of a mother who is a poet and a hard working father, music is in his blood. He is also the great nephew of acclaimed jazz great, Stanley Turrentine, who was a great influence on his career.
Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28
Hits: 1818
Out & About with Brotha Ash
Category: Entertainment Written by Ashley G. Woodson
This week I visited the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Downtown Pittsburgh, Ammons Recreation Center in the Hill District, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in Shadyside, Mellon Park in East Liberty and the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty.
My first stop was at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture where 360 Entertainment presented the first Pittsburgh Citywide Talent Show. There is a lot of talent in the city and I have to congratulate all of the contestants. Congratulations to E-Young who won the big prize from 360 Entertainment.
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| The Shadow Lounge was in full effect at Gene Stovall’s event.
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Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28
Hits: 874
Fox couldn’t talk DeGeneres into staying on ‘Idol’
Category: Entertainment Written by Associated Press
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP)—Ellen DeGeneres couldn’t be talked into staying with “American Idol,” a Fox executive said, creating a second opening for change in the show’s 10th season.
Who will fill her judge’s chair and the one vacated by Simon Cowell were questions left unanswered by Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment for the Fox Networks Group.
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| RANDY JACKSON is the only original judge left, and he may be replaced.
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“There are no deals signed on either side of the camera” with newcomers, Rice told a meeting of the Television Critics Association.
Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:28
Hits: 628
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