For those unfamiliar, Taste of Chicago is not mainly known for its musical lineup. Rather, it is known as the largest food festival in the world. Held in July, Taste of Chicago began much earlier than most festivals as it began in July of 1980 and was created by Arnie Morton. Aside from food, though, the festival also has live music that is held on multiple stages throughout the festival.
According to the city of Chicago’s website, the full lineup of Taste of Chicago has been announced. The lineup includes Archie Powell & the Exports, BJ the Chicago Kid, Black Star, Brandi Carlile, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Juanes, Le Butcherettes, Madame Gandhi, Martha Redbone Roots Project, and none other than the Flaming Lips.
For those who are fans of George Clinton, this will be his last year of touring as he plans to retire soon after. Don’t miss the chance to see one of music’s biggest musicians!
George Clinton is a singer, songwriter, bandleader, and, of course, a record producer who got his start as a staff songwriter for the company Motown. With his band The Parliaments, Clinton’s initial success came from his 1967 hit “(I Wanna) Testify” but became more successful during the 1970s under the guise Parliament, Funkadelic, and P-Funk. In the 1970s George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic gained huge success and popularity across all fields of music, creating over 40 singles as well as receiving three platinum albums.
Clinton, during the 80s, became more of a music producer than performer. During that decade he produced albums for Bootsy Collins and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Since his start in the 1960s, George Clinton has not stopped working and performing in the music industry. If you plan on going to Taste of Chicago, I highly suggest seeing this great before he hangs up his hat and microphone.
photo credit: Mauricio Alvarado