Funk legend and pioneer George Clinton has announced his final One Nation Under a Groove tour for 2019, with the groups that he founded Parliament and Funkadelic. This farewell tour will see Clinton part with the groups that he founded, and will begin on May 30, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before ending in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Brooklyn Bowl.
Parliament and Funkadelic were both separate projects started by Clinton back in the 60s, with Parliament featuring a more traditional funk and blues oriented sound, while Funkadelic blended elements of hard rock into its music. Both projects joined together as a collective under Clinton as Parliament-Funkadelic, better known as “P-Funk,” which has toured together for decades.
Both projects have achieved fame and acclaim for classic projects such as Parliament’s Mothership Connection released in 1975 and Funkadelic’s Maggot Brain, released in 1971. A slew of hits such as “Flashlight,” “One Nation (Under a Groove,” “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker),” are staples of funk and propelled the bands, along with the funk genre into popularity.
Both projects have had a revolving door of musicians throughout its decades of operation, which included famed funk bassist and legend Bootsy Collins. Some of the people who have toured with the collective for over the past three decades include Bennie Cowan (trumpet), Greg Thomas (sax), Lige Curry (bass), and Blackbird McKnight (guitar).
Despite his exit, Clinton contends that the group will continue after his exit, and even his death for years to come. “It’s always been about the music and the band” Clinton explained in a press release. “That’s the real P-Funk legacy. They’ll still be funkin’ long after I stop.”
At aged 77, Clinton has a lengthy career in music that very few have been able to maintain or match as he has long outlived and performed many other peers in his age group. Even at his age the band released their recent album with him entitled Medicaid Fraud Dogg last year. Despite this, Clinton’s retirement announcement began last year, with the statement explaining that it would occur this year.
“We had been kicking this idea around for a long time” recalls Nick Szatmari, George’s Agent at UAA explained in a press release. “It just felt organic and authentic, especially with the current social climate and the powers that be trying to divide everyone; it has always been a call for unity and togetherness through music. When George announced his retirement it just all clicked. It’s surreal how it all came together, and we are very fortunate to have the support of Galactic, Dumpstaphunk, Fishbone, and Miss Velvet & The Blue Wolf on this historic tour.”
GEORGE CLINTON’S FAREWELL TOUR DATES WITH PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC
3/10/19 Northampton, MA, Mass MOCA
4/11/19 Honolulu, HI, Blue Note Hawaii
4/12/19 Honolulu, HI, Blue Note Hawaii
4/13/19 Honolulu, HI, Blue Note Hawaii
4/14/19 Honolulu, HI, Blue Note Hawaii
4/20/19 Sydney, Australia, Enmore Theater
4/21/19 Byron Bay, Australia, Bluesfest
4/22/19 Byron Bay, Australia, Bluesfest
4/25/19 Melbourne, Australia, Forum Theatre
4/27/19 Osaka, Japan, Billboard Live (2 shows)
4/29/19 Tokyo, Japan, Billboard Live (2 shows)
4/30/19 Tokyo, Japan, Billboard Live (2 shows)
5/26/19 Chillicothe, IL, Summer Camp Music Festival
6/9/19 Columbia, MD, Capital Jazz Festival
6/15/19 Tunica, MS, Gold Strike Casino
ONE NATION UNDER A GROOVE TOUR DATES
5/30/19 Milwaukee, WI, Miller High Life Theatre
5/31/19 Chicago, IL, Aragon Ballroom
6/1/19 Cincinnati, OH, Riverfront Live
6/4/19 New York, NY, Central Park Summerstage
6/5/19 Boston, MA, Blue Hills Pavilion
6/6/19 Philadelphia, PA, Franklin Music Hall
8/2/19 Los Angeles, CA, Greek Theatre
8/3/19 Saratoga, CA, Mountain Winery
8/4/19 Lincoln, CA, Thunder Valley Casino
8/8/19 Seattle, WA, Showbox Sodo
8/10/19 Portland, OR Oregon Zoo
8/11/19 Eugene, OR, Cuthbert Amphitheater
8/15/19 Denver, CO, TBA
8/17/19 Phoenix, AZ, Celebrity Theater
8/18/19 Las Vegas, NV, Brooklyn Bowl
Photo Credit: Rachel Zimmerman
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