George Clinton, Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain't That Funkin' Kinda Hard on You?, in conversation with Tim Riley

This event will take place at First Parish Church in Harvard Square. $5 tickets are required. Ticket orders must be prepaid.

The long-awaited memoir from one of the greatest bandleaders, hit makers, and most influential pop artists of our time—known for over forty R&B hit singles—George Clinton of Parliament-Funkadelic.

From the barbershop to the Mothership, from doo-wop to hip-hop, Dr. Funkenstein's tale is filled with honesty, insight, and a whole lot of rhythm goin' round. With this book, George Clinton gives up the funk and then some. The Bomb!" — Alan Light, former Editor-in-Chief of Vibe and Spin magazines

George Clinton began his musical career in New Jersey, where his obsession with doo-wop and R&B led to a barbershop quartet—literally, as Clinton and his friends also styled hair in the local shop—the way kids often got their musical start in the ’50s. But how many kids like that ended up playing to tens of thousands of rabid fans alongside a diaper-clad guitarist? How many of them commissioned a spaceship and landed it onstage during concerts? How many put their stamp on four decades of pop music, from the mind-expanding sixties to the hip-hop-dominated nineties and beyond?

One of them. That’s how many.

How George Clinton got from barbershop quartet to funk music megastar is a story for the ages. As a high school student he traveled to New York City, where he absorbed all the trends in pop music, from traditional rhythm and blues to Motown, the Beatles, the Stones, and psychedelic rock, not to mention the formative funk of James Brown and Sly Stone. By the dawn of the seventies, he had emerged as the leader of a wildly creative musical movement composed mainly of two bands—Parliament and Funkadelic. And by the bicentennial, Clinton and his P-Funk empire were dominating the soul charts as well as the pop charts. He was an artistic visionary, visual icon, merry prankster, absurdist philosopher, and savvy businessmen, all rolled into one. He was like no one else in pop music, before or since.

Written with wit, humor, and candor, this memoir provides tremendous insight into America’s music industry as forever changed by Clinton’s massive talent. This is a story of a beloved global icon who dedicated himself to spreading the gospel of funk music.

George Clinton will be in conversation with Tim Riley, Emerson College professor and author of several books including Lennon: Man, Myth, Music.

In order to make the signing go smoothly, the publisher has asked us to let you know about a few guidelines for the event:

  • Books only, no memorabilia. George Clinton will not be signing album covers, CD cases, posters, or shopping lists, and you must have a copy of the book to get in the signing line.
  • Personalization will happen if time allows. We want to make sure everyone gets a chance to have their books signed.
  • Photography. You're welcome to take pictures of the signing, but George will pose for pictures only if time allows.

Event date: 

Saturday, October 25, 2014 - 2:00pm

Event address: 

First Parish Church
1 Church St.
02138 Cambridge
us
Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain't That Funkin' Kinda Hard On You?: A Memoir By George Clinton, Ben Greenman (With) Cover Image
$27.00
It's Complicated--Contact Us for More Information
ISBN: 9781476751078
Published: Atria Books - October 21st, 2014