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The Meters

From Alfawiki
The Meters
Company typeMusical group
IndustryMusic
Founded1965 in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
FounderArt Neville, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste
Headquarters
New Orleans
,
United States
ProductsFunk music, recordings, live performances

The Meters—known later as The Funky Meters—are a seminal American funk ensemble that originated in 1965 in New Orleans. The founding lineup consisted of Zigaboo Modeliste on drums, George Porter Jr. handling bass, Leo Nocentelli on guitar, and Art Neville playing keyboards. Their active years spanned from the late 1960s through 1977, during which they not only produced influential recordings but also served as prominent backing musicians for artists such as Lee Dorsey, Robert Palmer, Dr. John, and Allen Toussaint. Their compositions "Cissy Strut" and "Look-Ka Py Py" have become enduring staples within the funk genre.

Although their work did not consistently achieve mainstream chart dominance, The Meters are widely acknowledged as pioneers of funk alongside figures like James Brown. Their innovative style has left a lasting imprint on both their peers and succeeding generations of musicians. Characterized by tightly woven melodic grooves fused with syncopated New Orleans "second line" rhythms, their sound is propelled by dynamic guitar and keyboard interplay. The band has been nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on four occasions, most recently in 2017, and was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

1960s–1970s

Art Neville, who served as the band's lead vocalist and keyboardist, embarked on a solo career in mid-1950s New Orleans while still attending high school. The Meters officially formed in 1965, comprising keyboardist and vocalist Art Neville, guitarist Leo Nocentelli, bassist George Porter Jr., and drummer Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste. Later additions included percussionist and vocalist Cyril Neville. The group became the primary house band for producer Allen Toussaint’s label, Sansu Enterprises.

In 1969, The Meters released notable R&B singles "Sophisticated Cissy" and "Cissy Strut," both achieving significant acclaim. They followed up with tracks like "Look-Ka Py Py" and "Chicken Strut" in 1970. While their commercial chart success diminished after switching labels in 1972, they continued to collaborate with prominent artists including Dr. John, Paul McCartney, King Biscuit Boy, Labelle, and Robert Palmer.

In 1975, Paul McCartney invited The Meters to perform at the launch event for his Venus and Mars album aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. Among those impressed by their performance was Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones. Subsequently, The Rolling Stones invited them to open for their Tour of the Americas '75 and Tour of Europe '76. That year also saw the release of one of their most acclaimed albums, Fire on the Bayou. Between 1976 and 1977, they performed alongside The Wild Tchoupitoulas, featuring George and Amos Landry, as well as members of The Neville Brothers.

Early in 1977, both Art and Cyril Neville departed from the band; however, The Meters appeared on Saturday Night Live on March 19 that year. Following these changes, David Batiste Sr. took over keyboard duties while Willie West became the lead vocalist. Later in 1977, Porter exited the group, leading to The Meters’ official disbandment by 1980.

After the breakup, Art Neville continued his career with The Neville Brothers, Modeliste toured with artists like Keith Richards and Ron Wood, while Nocentelli and Porter pursued work as highly regarded session musicians and established new musical projects.

1980s–1990s

In 1989, Art Neville, George Porter Jr., and Leo Nocentelli came together once more as The Meters, with drummer Russell Batiste Jr. stepping in to replace Zigaboo Modeliste. When Nocentelli departed in 1994, guitarist Brian Stoltz, previously with The Neville Brothers, took his place. The ensemble adopted the name The Funky Meters, a title that had already been used as early as 1989 during performances at Benny's Bar in New Orleans.

2000s–2010s

Throughout the 2000s, The Funky Meters remained active, with Ian Neville substituting for Brian Stoltz between 2007 and 2011 while Stoltz explored solo projects; Stoltz then rejoined permanently in 2011.

A notable event occurred in 2000 when all four original members reunited for a single concert at San Francisco’s Warfield Theatre. Although Modeliste hoped to make this reunion permanent, management and other members were hesitant. Eventually, in 2005, thanks to producer Quint Davis’s mediation, the group reunited at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

In June 2011, The Original Meters shared the stage with Allen Toussaint and Dr. John at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, performing selections from Dr. John’s album Desitively Bonnaroo, which featured the band. They also appeared at the 2011 Voodoo Experience and returned to New Orleans for a sold-out appearance at the Howlin’ Wolf in May 2012.

Towards the end of 2012, Modeliste, Nocentelli, and Porter Jr. joined forces with Phish keyboardist Page McConnell to form The Meter Men. McConnell has since frequently performed alongside the trio, accumulating sixteen shows by spring 2015, including annual late-night sets at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Their tours covered numerous states such as Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Colorado, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.

By 2017, The Funky Meters were regularly touring with their classic material, while The Original Meters—comprising Neville, Porter Jr., Nocentelli, and Modeliste—performed occasionally under that name to distinguish themselves. Additionally, Leo Nocentelli leads The Meters Experience, a band dedicated to preserving The Meters’ musical legacy.

The last performance featuring all original members took place at the Arroyo Seco Festival in Pasadena on June 25, 2017.

Art Neville retired on December 18, 2018, and passed away on July 22, 2019.

Influence

Brian Knight of The Vermont Review observed that The Meters established the fundamental elements of groove music and significantly impacted funk legends such as Funkadelic, Cameo, James Brown, and Sly Stone. Renowned music critic Robert Christgau lauded the band as "totally original" and included their compilation Funkify Your Life: The Meters Anthology among essential New Orleans recordings.

Their tracks have been extensively sampled by numerous hip-hop artists including Heavy D, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Musiq, Big Daddy Kane, Run-DMC, N.W.A, Ice Cube, Scarface, Cypress Hill, EPMD, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, Naughty by Nature, and Tweet.

Prominent covers feature the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ rendition of "Africa" as "Hollywood (Africa)" on their 1985 album Freaky Styley, jazz-fusion guitarist Oz Noy’s versions of "Cissy Strut," and Primus’ interpretation of "Tippi Toes" on their 1992 EP Miscellaneous Debris.

Live performances of The Meters’ songs have been delivered by groups such as the Grateful Dead, KVHW, Steve Kimock Band, Widespread Panic, Rebirth Brass Band, Galactic, Jaco Pastorius, and The String Cheese Incident.

The song "They All Ask'd for You" from their 1975 release Fire on the Bayou remains a beloved regional anthem in New Orleans and is considered the unofficial theme song of the Audubon Zoo.

Awards and honors

  • In 1970, The Meters were recognized as the Best Rhythm and Blues Instrumental Group by both Billboard and Record World publications.
  • Since 1994, the band has received four nominations for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—specifically in 1996, 2012, 2013, and 2017.
  • George Porter Jr. along with The Meters were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the second annual Jammy Awards in 2001.
  • Their seminal track "Cissy Strut" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in the year 2011.
  • In 2013, they were bestowed with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Big Easy Music Awards.
  • The group was prominently featured on the commemorative poster for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2017.
  • January 2018 saw The Meters receive a distinguished Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Members

Current

  • George Porter Jr. – bass guitar, vocals (1965–1977, 1989–2018, 2020–present)
  • Zigaboo Modeliste – drums, vocals (1965–1977, 2000–2018, 2020–present)
  • Leo Nocentelli – guitar, backing vocals (1966–1977, 1989–1994, 2000–2018, 2020–present)

Former

  • Art Neville – keyboards, vocals (1965–1977, 1989–2018; deceased 2019)
  • Gary Brown – saxophone (1965–1967)
  • "Glen" – drums (1965)
  • Cyril Neville – percussion, vocals (1970–1977)
  • David Batiste Sr. – keyboards (1977–1980)
  • Willie West – vocals (1977–1980)
  • Russell Batiste Jr. – drums (1989–2000; deceased 2023)
  • Brian Stoltz – guitar (1994–2000)
  • Page McConnell – keyboards, backing vocals (2012–2014)

The Funky Meters

  • Art Neville – keyboards, vocals (2000–2016)
  • George Porter Jr. – bass guitar, backing vocals (2000–2016)
  • Brian Stoltz – guitar (2000–2007, 2011–2016)
  • Ian Neville – guitar (2007–2011)
  • Russell Batiste Jr. – drums (2000–2015)
  • Terrence Houston – drums (2015–2016)

Discography

Original studio albums

Year Album Chart rankings Label
US Pop US R&B
1969 The Meters 108 23 Josie JOS-4010
Look-Ka Py Py 198 23 Josie JOS-4011
1970 Struttin' 200 32 Josie JOS-4012
1972 Cabbage Alley — 48 Reprise MS-2076
1974 Rejuvenation — — Reprise MS-2200
1975 Fire on the Bayou 179 41 Reprise MS-2228
1976 Trick Bag — — Reprise MS-2252
1977 New Directions — — Warner Bros. BS-3042

Compilation albums

  • Cissy Strut (1974), Island ILPS-9250 [LP]
  • The Best of the Meters (1975), Virgo SV-12002 [LP]
  • The Best of the Meters 71–75 (1976), Reprise (UK) K-54076 [LP]
  • Second Line Strut (1980), Charly R&B CRB-1009 [LP]
  • Good Old Funky Music (1990), Rounder CD-2104 — includes unreleased Josie tracks
  • Funky Miracle (1991), Charly CDNEV-2 [2-CD set]
  • Funkify Your Life: The Meters Anthology (1995), Rhino R2-71869 [2-CD set]
  • Kickback (2001), Sundazed LP-5081; Sundazed SC-11081
  • Original Album Series (2014), Rhino [5-CD collection], reissues of five albums
  • A Message from the Meters (2016), Real Gone Music RGM-0491 [2-CD collection]
  • Gettin' Funkier All the Time (2020), Cherry Red/Soul Music Records QSMCR-5190BX [6-CD set]

Live albums

  • Uptown Rulers: The Meters live on the Queen Mary (recorded in 1975; released in 1992), Rhino R2-70376
  • Live at the Moonwalker (1993), Lakeside Music LAKE-2022 — under 'Legendary Meters' featuring J.B. Horns
  • Fiyo at the Fillmore, Volume 1 (recorded in 2001; released in 2003), Too Funky/Fuel 2000/Varese — as 'Funky Meters'

Singles

Year Single US Pop US R&B
"Sophisticated Cissy" |34 |7
"Cissy Strut" |23 |4
61 |20
— |39
"Look-Ka Py Py" |56 |11
50 |11
89 |26
— |21
"Stretch Your Rubber Band" |— |42
— |47
— |—
"Hey Pocky A-Way" |— |31
— |52
— |—
— |87
— |—
78 |78


Additional reading

  • Up from the Cradle of Jazz by Jason Berry, Jonathan Foose, Tad Jones (Da Capo Press, 1992, pp. 190–200)
  • Musical Gumbo: The Music of New Orleans by Grace Lichtenstein, Laura Dankner (W.W. Norton, 1993, pp. 153–160)
  • Funk, Third Ear: The Essential Listening Companion by Dave Thompson (Hal Leonard, 2001, pp. 164–169)
  • Marooned: The Next Generation of Desert Island Discs edited by Phil Freeman, Jeff Chang (Da Capo Press, 2007, pp. 195–208)
  • "Strutting & Scuffling – Here Come the Meter Men" by Daniel Knobler, Perfect Sound Forever (February 2011)
  • Ronnie Reese (December 2020). "A Message from the Meters". Waxpoetics.

External links

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