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The Funk Brothers

From Alfawiki
The Funk Brothers
Company typeSession musicians collective
IndustryMusic
Founded1959
Defunct1972
Headquarters
Detroit
,
United States
Area served
Primarily Motown Records
ProductsInstrumental backing for Motown tracks

The Funk Brothers were a group of session musicians based in Detroit who provided instrumental backing for the majority of Motown tracks from 1959 until the label's move to Los Angeles in 1972.

They stand as one of the most accomplished studio ensembles in music history, having played on chart-topping songs such as "My Girl", "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "Baby Love", "I Was Made to Love Her", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", "The Tears of a Clown", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", and "Heat Wave". Their performances feature on every Motown R&B number one hit exceeding 100 singles, as well as over 50 U.S. Pop chart-toppers between 1961 and 1972.

An exact roster of members does not exist; some accounts broadly refer to all Motown session players as Funk Brothers. Thirteen principal musicians were identified in Paul Justman’s 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown and subsequently honored by NARAS with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2007, they earned induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

History

Among the foundational members were bandleader Joe Hunter, keyboardists Earl Van Dyke (piano, organ), bassist Clarence Isabell (double bass), renowned bassist James Jamerson (bass guitar, double bass), drummers Benny "Papa Zita" Benjamin and Richard "Pistol" Allen, baritone saxophonist Mike Terry, trombonist Paul Riser, guitarists Robert White, Eddie Willis, and Joe Messina, along with percussionists including Jack Ashford (tambourine, vibraphone, marimba), Australian-born Jack Brokensha (vibraphone, marimba), and Eddie "Bongo" Brown. After Hunter’s departure in 1964, keyboardist Johnny Griffith succeeded him, while Van Dyke assumed bandleader responsibilities. Later additions included drummer Uriel Jones, bassist Bob Babbitt, and guitarist Dennis Coffey.

Although primarily African American and rooted in Detroit, the Funk Brothers’ lineup also featured white musicians such as Messina—who was known for his guitar work on Soupy Sales’ jazz television program—Australian Brokensha, Coffey, and Pittsburgh native Babbitt.

Recognition and Origin of the Funk Brothers Name

In contrast to their Memphis counterparts at Stax Records, namely Booker T. & the M.G.'s, the Funk Brothers remained mostly unacknowledged publicly until the release of the Standing in the Shadows of Motown documentary. Motown refrained from crediting studio musicians until Marvin Gaye’s 1971 album What's Going On, although some singles and LPs credited Earl Van Dyke. On certain recordings, the group appeared alongside Van Dyke under the billing "Earl Van Dyke & the Soul Brothers," since CEO Berry Gordy, Jr. disfavored the term "funk."

The designation "Funk Brothers" might have been applied retrospectively; during the late 1960s, "funky" became associated with lively Southern soul rhythms, while "funk" as a genre term emerged in the 1970s. According to Joe Hunter in the documentary, drummer Benny Benjamin originated the nickname: upon leaving the studio known as "Snake Pit," he reportedly told his colleagues, "You all are the Funk Brothers," informally naming their ensemble.

To augment their earnings from Motown sessions, members frequently performed on recordings for other Detroit labels and beyond. Notably, they contributed to Jackie Wilson’s 1967 hit "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher," reflecting Motown’s early connections—Berry Gordy, Jr. had initially established his career composing songs for Wilson during the 1950s. The musicians also participated in non-Motown successes such as The San Remo Golden Strings’ "Hungry For Love," "Cool Jerk" by the Capitols, Edwin Starr’s "Agent Double-O Soul," "(I Just Wanna) Testify" by the Parliaments, "Band Of Gold" by Freda Payne, "Give Me Just a Little More Time" by The Chairmen of the Board, and blues icon John Lee Hooker’s "Boom Boom." After Berry Gordy discovered their session work for Edwin Starr on Ric-Tic and Golden World labels, he penalized Funk Brothers members for moonlighting; however, Eddie Wingate—the owner of those labels—compensated them twice over at Motown’s Christmas celebration. Gordy eventually acquired Wingate’s label along with its artists.

Dissolution

By the latter half of the 1960s, approximately one-fifth of Motown recordings utilized session musicians based in Los Angeles, primarily for renditions and tributes of popular mainstream songs and show tunes. By 1970, a majority of Motown recording sessions, including all those for the Jackson 5's chart-topping tracks, were conducted in Los Angeles rather than Detroit. Nevertheless, producers such as Norman Whitfield, Frank Wilson, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson maintained their recording activities in Detroit.

In 1972, Berry Gordy moved Motown’s headquarters to Los Angeles, resulting in the termination of the Funk Brothers' contracts—some members discovered this through a notice posted on the studio door. A handful of musicians, including James Jamerson, relocated to the West Coast but encountered difficulties adapting to the new setting. Numerous recordings made in L.A. featured members of the Wrecking Crew, such as Earl Palmer, Gary Coleman, Carol Kaye, Tommy Tedesco, and Larry Knechtel.

Later years

The surviving Funk Brothers were honored with the Grammy Legend Award during the 46th Annual Grammy Awards in 2004. In 2006, several members participated in Philadelphia producer Phil Hurtt’s project titled "The Soulful Tale of Two Cities," which fused elements of Detroit and Philadelphia soul. Contributors included Bob Babbitt, Joe Hunter, Uriel Jones, Eddie Willis, Ray Monette, Spider Webb, among others. Vocalists involved comprised the Velvelettes, Carolyn Crawford, Lamont Dozier, Bobby Taylor, Kim Weston, Freda Payne, and George Clinton.

In 2008, Ashford and Riser lent their talents to Raphael Saadiq’s album The Way I See It, which sought to replicate the classic Motown sound. That same year saw the release of Live in Orlando, a live album and video by the Funk Brothers.

In 2010, the remaining Funk Brothers collaborated with Phil Collins on his Motown tribute album Going Back and appeared in its accompanying concert DVD. They were also inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame that year.

Awards and recognition

The Funk Brothers have been recipients of three Grammy Awards:

Bassist James Jamerson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000; drummer Benny Benjamin followed with his induction in 2003. That same year, surviving members were invited to meet President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice during a Black History Month ceremony held at the White House.

In 2007, the Funk Brothers earned induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum located in Nashville. On March 21, 2013, they were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Later, in August 2014, they were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall Of Fame situated in Canton, Ohio.

Members

The term "The Funk Brothers" generally denotes the primary studio musicians behind Motown's sound. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences officially acknowledges 13 members, although the designation is commonly extended to encompass any musician who performed on Motown tracks.

Presented below is a selection of the most consistently featured artists on Motown recordings between 1959 and 1972; this list is not comprehensive. The 13 members formally recognized by NARAS are indicated with an asterisk. Additionally, the backing vocal ensemble known as the Andantes (Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, Louvain Demps) played a significant role in shaping the distinctive sound attributed to the Funk Brothers.

The membership details derive from research conducted by Allan Slutsky, with slight amendments.

Detroit musicians

**Don White
**Carl Raetz
**Patrick Lanier
**Bill Johnson
**Ed Gooch
  • Flutists:
**Dayna Hartwick
**Thomas "Beans" Bowles
  • Piccolo players:
**Dayna Hartwick
  • String section:
**Led by Gordon Staples, accompanied by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
      • Violins
****Zinovi Bistritzky  
****Beatriz Budinsky  
****Lillian Downs  
****Virginia Halfmann  
****Richard Margitza  
****Felix Resnick  
****Alvin Score  
****Linda Sneeden Smith  
****James Waring
      • Violas
****Nathan Gordon  
****David Ireland  
****Eduard Kesner  
****Anne Mischakoff  
****Meyer Shapiro
      • Cellos
****Italo Babini  
****Edward Korkigian  
****Thaddeus Markiewicz  
****Marcy Schweickhardt

Musicians from Los Angeles

Beginning in the mid-1960s, Los Angeles functioned as a secondary recording hub for Motown, featuring a unique ensemble of session musicians. Notable recordings produced there encompass the Miracles' track "More Love," numerous songs by Brenda Holloway, and the early chart-toppers of the Jackson 5.

A significant number of these L.A.-based artists were members of the famed studio collective known as the Wrecking Crew.

Conductors and Arrangers

  • Detroit-based: Paul Riser, Willie Shorter, David Van De Pitte, Wade Marcus, Johnny Allen, Gil Askey, Ernie Wilkins, Jerry Long, Henry "Hank" Cosby, Slide Hampton, and H. B. Barnum
  • Los Angeles-based: Gene Page, James Carmichael, Arthur Wright, Michael Lovesmith

Representative selection of hit records featuring the Funk Brothers

(Tamla) Motown
  • "Money" – Barrett Strong
  • "Please Mr. Postman" – The Marvelettes
  • "Fingertips Pt. 2" – Stevie Wonder
  • "The Girl's Alright with Me" – The Temptations
  • "My Guy" – Mary Wells
  • "Come and Get These Memories" – Martha and the Vandellas
  • "Where Did Our Love Go" – The Supremes
  • "Baby I Need Your Loving" – The Four Tops
  • "Baby Love" – The Supremes
  • "Come See About Me" – The Supremes
  • "My Girl" – The Temptations
  • "Stop! In the Name of Love" – The Supremes
  • "Back in My Arms Again" – The Supremes
  • "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" – The Four Tops
  • "I Hear a Symphony" – The Supremes
  • "Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart" – The Supremes
  • "You Can't Hurry Love" – The Supremes
  • "Reach Out I'll Be There" – The Four Tops
  • "You Keep Me Hangin' On" – The Supremes
  • "Forever Came Today" – The Supremes
  • "Love Child" – Diana Ross and the Supremes
  • "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" – Marvin Gaye
  • "I Can't Get Next to You" – The Temptations
  • "Someday We'll Be Together" – Diana Ross and the Supremes
  • "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" – Diana Ross
  • "The Tears of a Clown" – Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
  • "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" – The Temptations
  • "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" – The Temptations
  • "Let's Get It On" – Marvin Gaye
  • "You Sure Love to Ball" – Marvin Gaye
  • "Come Get to This" – Marvin Gaye
  • "Just a Little Misunderstanding" – The Contours
  • "Shop Around" – The Miracles
  • "Shotgun" – Junior Walker & the All Stars
  • "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" – Marvin Gaye
  • "The One Who Really Loves You" – Mary Wells
  • "The Way You Do the Things You Do" – The Temptations
  • "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
  • "(I'm a) Road Runner" – Junior Walker & the All Stars
  • "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" – The Temptations
  • "I Wish It Would Rain" – The Temptations
  • "The Happening" - The Supremes
  • "Reflections" – Diana Ross & the Supremes
  • "That's the Way Love Is" - Marvin Gaye
  • "Heat Wave" – Martha & the Vandellas
  • "Hitch Hike" – Marvin Gaye
  • "Way Over There" – The Miracles
  • "Who's Lovin' You" – The Jackson 5
  • "What's So Good About Goodbye" – The Miracles
  • "I Was Made to Love Her" – Stevie Wonder
  • "It's the Same Old Song" – The Four Tops
  • "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" – The Miracles
  • "Standing in the Shadows of Love" – The Four Tops
  • "If I Were Your Woman" – Gladys Knight & the Pips
  • "I'm Livin' in Shame" - The Supremes
  • "Going to a Go-Go" – The Miracles
  • "'Heaven Must Have Sent You'" – The Elgins
  • "Dancing in the Street" – Martha & the Vandellas
  • "Runaway Child, Running Wild" - The Temptations
  • "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" – Marvin Gaye
  • "All I Need" - The Temptations
  • "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"  – Marvin Gaye
  • "Cloud Nine" – The Temptations
  • "What's Going On" – Marvin Gaye
  • "Do You Love Me?" – The Contours
  • "Get Ready"- The Temptations
  • "'Function at the Junction'" – Shorty Long
  • '"My World Is Empty Without You"' – The Supremes
  • '"The Tracks of My Tears"' – The Miracles
  • '"Can I Get a Witness"' – Marvin Gaye
  • '"Nowhere to Run"' – Martha & the Vandellas
  • '"Here Comes the Judge"' – Shorty Long
  • '"Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"' – Stevie Wonder
  • '"Beechwood 4-5789"' – The Marvelettes
  • '"Bernadette"' – The Four Tops
  • '"Two Lovers"' – Mary Wells
  • '"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted"' – Jimmy Ruffin
  • '"My Cherie Amour"' – Stevie Wonder
  • '"I Second That Emotion"' – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles  
  • '"(I Know) I'm Losing You "'– The Temptations  
  • '"First I Look at the Purse"'– The Contours  
  • '"Ooo Baby Baby"'– The Miracles  
  • '"25 Miles"'– Edwin Starr  
  • '"I'll Be Doggone"'– Marvin Gaye  
  • '"Pride and Joy"'– Marvin Gaye  
  • '"Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)"'– The Temptations  
  • '"It Takes Two"'– Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston  
  • '"This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)"'– The Isley Brothers  
  • '"Uptight (Everything's Alright)"'– Stevie Wonder  
  • '"Devil with a Blue Dress On"'– Shorty Long  
  • '"Jimmy Mack"'– Martha & the Vandellas  
  • '"Since I Lost My Baby"'– The Temptations  
  • '"War"'– Edwin Starr  
  • '"Stubborn Kind of Fellow"'– Marvin Gaye  
  • '"Don't Mess with Bill"'– The Marvelettes  
  • '"You Beat Me to the Punch"'– Mary Wells  
  • '"Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)"'– The Four Tops  
  • '"Walk Away Renée"'– The Four Tops  
  • '"Mickey's Monkey"'– The Miracles  
  • '"Ain't That Peculiar"'– Marvin Gaye  
  • '"Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day"'– Stevie Wonder
Other record labels
  • "Cool Jerk" by The Capitols (Atlantic)
  • "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher"/ "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" by Jackie Wilson (Brunswick)
  • "Bad Girl," performed by The Miracles (Chess)
  • "Band of Gold," Freda Payne (Invictus)
  • "Crumbs off the Table," Glass House (Invictus)
  • "Give Me Just a Little More Time," Chairmen of the Board (Invictus)
  • "Someone's Been Sleeping in My Bed," 100 Proof (Hot Wax)
  • "Boom Boom," John Lee Hooker (Vee-Jay)

See also

External links

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