On February 4, 2009, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. introduced H.R. 848, the Performance Rights Act in the U.S. House of Representatives , 111th Congress. The Bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee and on December 14, 2010, it was placed on the Union Calendar , Calendar No. 405. Under this Bill's version, performance rights was broadly designed to protect the civil rights of minority, religious, rural, and small communities with components to public access and education.
40-419: Musician George Clinton has spearheaded the H.R. 848 initiative through his foundation, Mothership Connection Education Foundation, with public awareness educational campaigns on copyright recapturing and reclaiming royalties for children of civil rights era musical performers. The Performance Rights Act is an amendment to United States copyright law proposed by Senator Patrick Leahy . The bill would expand
80-730: A doo-wop group inspired by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers called the Parliaments , while straightening hair at a barbershop in Plainfield, New Jersey . The West End of Plainfield was once home to a barbershop on 216 Plainfield Avenue known as "Silk Palace". Owned in part by Clinton, it was staffed by various members of Parliament-Funkadelic, and known as the "hangout for all the local singers and musicians" in Plainfield's 1950s and 1960s doo-wop, soul , rock , and proto- funk music scene. For
120-404: A flagship act of his P-Funk collective . Evolving out of an earlier vocal group , Parliament became associated with a more commercial and less rock -oriented sound than its sister act Funkadelic . Their work incorporated Afrofuturism concepts, horn arrangements, synthesizer , and outlandish theatrics. The band scored a number of Top 10 hits, including the million-selling 1976 single " Give Up
160-450: A hit single in 1967 with " (I Wanna) Testify " (co-written by Clinton) on Revilot Records. To capitalize on this chart success, Clinton formed a touring band, featuring teenage barbershop employee Billy Nelson on bass and his friend Eddie Hazel on guitar, with the line-up eventually rounded out by Tawl Ross on guitar, Tiki Fulwood on drums, and Mickey Atkins on organ. During a contractual dispute with Revilot, Clinton temporarily lost
200-413: A period in the 1960s Clinton was a staff songwriter for Motown . Despite initial commercial failure and one major hit single (" (I Wanna) Testify " in 1967), as well as arranging and producing scores of singles on many of the independent Detroit soul music labels, the Parliaments eventually found success under the names Parliament and Funkadelic in the 1970s (see also P-Funk ). These two bands combined
240-770: The Cartoon Network show Space Ghost Coast to Coast . Clinton also appeared as the voice of the Funktipus, the DJ of the funk radio station Bounce FM in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas , in which his song "Loopzilla" also appeared. Rapper Dr. Dre often sampled Clinton's music, helping to bring about the G-funk era. In 1999, Clinton collaborated with Lil' Kim and Fred Durst for rap metal group Methods of Mayhem 's single " Get Naked ". Displaying his influence on rap and hip hop, Clinton also worked with Tupac Shakur on
280-565: The Glastonbury Festival to perform Ronson's hit " Uptown Funk ". Clinton also appears with Kendrick Lamar on the song "Wesley's Theory" from the album To Pimp a Butterfly . In March 2017, Clinton appeared on the Adult Swim television series FishCenter Live . The Outline ' s Samuel Argyle described it as "[t]he episode that makes the most cohesive narrative sense." Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic were slated to headline
320-514: The John Lennon tribute Working Class Hero . Clinton then signed with Sony 550 and released T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M. (The Awesome Power of a Fully Operational Mothership) in 1996. Clinton appeared in films such as Graffiti Bridge (1990), House Party (1990), PCU (1994), Good Burger (1997), and The Breaks (1999). In 1994, he appeared as the host of the anthology television film Cosmic Slop . In 1997, he appeared as himself in
360-765: The Parliament-Funkadelic enterprise, as well as Clinton's problematic management practices, began to take their toll by the late 1970s. Original Parliaments members Fuzzy Haskins , Calvin Simon , and Grady Thomas , who had been with Clinton since the barbershop days in the late 1950s, departed acrimoniously in 1977, after disputes over Clinton's management. Other important group members like singer/guitarist Glenn Goins and drummer Jerome Brailey left Parliament-Funkadelic in 1978 after disputes over Clinton's management. Two further Parliament albums, Gloryhallastoopid (1979) and Trombipulation (1980) were less successful than
400-553: The Closet ) as well as a live album, Mothership Connection (Live from the Summit, Houston, Texas) and charting three singles in the R&;B Top 30, "Nubian Nut", "Last Dance", and " Do Fries Go with That Shake? " He is also a notable music producer who works on almost all the albums he performs on, and has produced albums for Bootsy Collins and Red Hot Chili Peppers , among others. In 1985, he
440-561: The Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker) ," and Top 40 albums such as Mothership Connection (1975). Parliament was originally The Parliaments , a doo-wop vocal group based at a Plainfield, New Jersey barbershop. The group was formed in the late 1950s and included George Clinton , Ray Davis , Fuzzy Haskins , Calvin Simon , and Grady Thomas . Clinton was the group leader and manager. The group scored
SECTION 10
#1733114575091480-510: The House" was co-written by Clinton. Clinton also provided the voice of King Quincy, leader of the funk trolls, in the 2020 animated film, Trolls World Tour . In 2022, Clinton competed in season eight of The Masked Singer as "Gopher". After being eliminated on "Hall of Fame Night" alongside George Foreman as "Venus Fly Trap", Clinton did a performance of "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off
520-583: The Sucker)" while backed up by Sheila E. , Nick Cannon , and Robin Thicke . He also exhibited paintings and sculptures in a solo show at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in Los Angeles with artist Lauren Halsey . Clinton married Stephanie Lynn Clinton in 1990. In February 2013, after 22 years of marriage, he filed for divorce. Clinton is married to Carlon Thompson-Clinton, his manager of over 10 years. On February 1, 2010, Clinton's 50-year-old son, George Clinton Jr.,
560-491: The act to Casablanca Records . Parliament, now augmented by the Horny Horns (also recruited from James Brown 's band) was positioned as a smoother R&B-based funk ensemble with intricate horn and vocal arrangements, and as a counterpoint to the guitar-based funk-rock of Funkadelic. By this point, Parliament and Funkadelic were touring as a combined entity known as Parliament-Funkadelic or simply P-Funk (which also became
600-567: The album America Eats Its Young , which was their first to feature Bootsy Collins . In the 1980s, Clinton began to encounter legal difficulties arising from PolyGram 's acquisition of Parliament's label, Casablanca Records . He recorded several solo albums, although all of these records featured contributions from P-Funk's core musicians. This period of Clinton's career was marred by multiple legal problems resulting in financial difficulties due to royalty and copyright issues, notably with Bridgeport Music , who Clinton claims fraudulently obtained
640-516: The album Trilogy: Conflict, Climax, Resolution ; Killah Priest on "Come With me" from the album Priesthood ; the Wu-Tang Clan on "Wolves" from the album 8 Diagrams . Clinton founded a record label called The C Kunspyruhzy in 2003. He had a cameo appearance in " Where Were We? ", the season two premiere of the CBS television sitcom How I Met Your Mother , on September 18, 2006. He appeared on
680-484: The albums from the group's prime 1975-1978 period. In the early 1980s, with legal difficulties arising from the multiple names used by multiple groups, as well as a shakeup at Casablanca Records , George Clinton dissolved Parliament and Funkadelic as recording and touring entities. However, many of the musicians in later versions of the two groups remained employed by Clinton. Clinton continued to release new albums regularly, sometimes under his own name and sometimes under
720-526: The bill argue that it properly compensates performing artists. Broadcasters who oppose the bill argue that the performance right is unnecessary and overly burdensome. In 2007, Howard Berman proposed legislation (H.R.4789) entitled the Performing Rights Act. That bill included a provision to establish a flat fee for non-profit radio stations, or stations that make less than $ 1.25 million in gross revenue. Still, broadcasters opposed this bill because of
760-526: The catch-all term for George Clinton's rapidly growing stable of funk artists). The album Up for the Down Stroke was released in 1974, with Chocolate City following in 1975. Both performed strongly on the Billboard R&;B album chart and were moderately successful on the pop chart. Parliament began its period of greatest mainstream success with the concept album Mothership Connection (1975),
800-693: The copyrights to many of his recordings. In 1982, Clinton was signed to Capitol Records under two names: his own as a solo artist, and as the P-Funk All-Stars, releasing Computer Games under his own name that same year. The single " Loopzilla " hit the Top 20 on the R&;B charts, followed by " Atomic Dog ", which reached #1 R&B and #101 on the pop chart. In the next four years, Clinton released three more studio albums ( You Shouldn't-Nuf Bit Fish , Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends , and R&B Skeletons in
840-418: The distinct band names Parliament and Funkadelic ) developed an influential and eclectic form of funk music during the 1970s that drew on Afrofuturism , outlandish fashion, psychedelia , and surreal humor . He launched his solo career with the 1982 album Computer Games and would go on to influence 1990s hip-hop and G-funk . Clinton is regarded, along with James Brown and Sly Stone , as one of
SECTION 20
#1733114575091880-653: The elements of musicians such as Jimi Hendrix , Sly and the Family Stone , Frank Zappa , and James Brown while exploring various sounds, technology, and lyricism. Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic dominated Black music during the 1970s, with over 40 R&B hit singles (including three number ones) and three platinum albums . From 1971 to late 1973, Clinton and several other members of the band settled in Toronto . During their years in Toronto, they honed their live show and recorded
920-604: The foremost innovators of funk music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, alongside 15 other members of Parliament-Funkadelic. In 2019, he and Parliament-Funkadelic were given Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards . George Edward Clinton was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina , grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey , and as of 2024 has lived in Tallahassee, Florida for thirty years. During his teen years, Clinton formed
960-496: The intro to Snoop Dogg 's Tha Blue Carpet Treatment album, released in 2007. Clinton was also a judge for the 5th annual Independent Music Awards. On September 16, 2008, Clinton released a solo album, George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love , on Shanachie Records . Largely a covers album, Gangsters features guest appearances from Sly Stone , El DeBarge , Red Hot Chili Peppers , RZA , Carlos Santana , gospel singer Kim Burrell and more. On September 10, 2009, Clinton
1000-506: The line-up of Parliament-Funkadelic began going through many changes and was expanded significantly, with the addition of important members such as keyboardist Bernie Worrell in 1970, singer/guitarist Garry Shider in 1971, and bassist Bootsy Collins (recruited from the James Brown backing band) in 1972. Dozens of singers and musicians would contribute to future Parliament-Funkadelic releases. Clinton relaunched Parliament in 1974 and signed
1040-644: The lyrics of which launched much of the P-Funk mythology . The subsequent albums The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein (1976), Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome (1977), and Motor Booty Affair (1978) all reached high on both the R&B and Pop charts, while Funkadelic was also experiencing significant mainstream success. Parliament scored the No. 1 R&B singles " Flash Light " in 1977 and " Aqua Boogie " in 1978. The rapidly expanding ensemble of musicians and singers in
1080-761: The mid to late 1980s, many hip-hop and rap artists cited Clinton's earlier music as an influence. Along with James Brown , Clinton's songs with Parliament-Funkadelic were often sampled by rap producers. "Sure, sample my stuff…" he remarked in 1996; "Ain't a better time to get paid than when you're my age. You know what to do with money. You don't buy as much pussy or drugs with it – you just buy some ." In 1989, Clinton released The Cinderella Theory on Paisley Park , Prince's record label. Clinton continued his work with Paisley Park with Hey, Man, Smell My Finger in 1993. The year 1994 saw Clinton contribute to several tracks on Primal Scream 's studio album Give Out But Don't Give Up . In 1995, Clinton sang "Mind Games" on
1120-656: The music and the band. That's the real P-Funk legacy. They'll still be funkin' long after I stop." Earlier in 2018, he told Rolling Stone that he had made a hologram , suggesting that the band could "have it start performing in Vegas". In December 2018, the Recording Academy announced that Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic would be given Lifetime Achievement Awards . The awards were presented on May 11, 2019. Clinton collaborated with Flying Lotus on his new album Flamagra released on May 24, 2019. The track "Burning Down
1160-500: The name George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars. The P-Funk All-Stars continued to record and tour into the 1990s and 2000s, and regularly perform classic Parliament songs. Parliament reformed in January 2018 and released the song "I'm Gon Make U Sick O'Me", which features the rapper Scarface . This was the first new Parliament release in 38 years. Clinton also announced the title of a new Parliament album, Medicaid Fraud Dogg , which
1200-512: The potential increase in transaction costs for operating a radio station. This article relating to law in the United States or its constituent jurisdictions is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . George Clinton (funk musician) George Edward Clinton (born July 22, 1941 ) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and bandleader. His Parliament-Funkadelic collective (which primarily recorded under
1240-545: The protection for public performances of copyrighted sound recordings. Under the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act , sound recordings have a limited public performance right in digital transmissions, such as webcasting . This bill would expand the performance right to cover terrestrial broadcasts, such as AM/FM radio . The bill is both strongly contested and supported. Artists who support
Performance Rights Act - Misplaced Pages Continue
1280-402: The rights to the name "The Parliaments", and signed the ensemble to Westbound Records as Funkadelic , which Clinton positioned as a funk-rock band featuring the five touring musicians with the five Parliaments singers as uncredited guests. With Funkadelic as a recording and touring entity in its own right, in 1970 Clinton relaunched the singing group, now known as Parliament, at first featuring
1320-432: The same ten members. Clinton was now the leader of two different acts, Parliament and Funkadelic, which featured the same members, but were marketed as creating two different types of funk . The Parliament album entitled Osmium was released on Invictus Records in 1970, and was later reissued on CD with non-album tracks as both Rhenium and First Thangs . Osmium featured a mostly psychedelic soul sound that
1360-715: The seventh annual Treefort Music Fest in Boise, Idaho in 2018. The release of a new Parliament album, Medicaid Fraud Dogg , was announced in March 2018. It was released May 22, 2018. In April 2018, Clinton announced that he would retire from touring in May 2019. Billboard reported that Clinton had recently undergone pacemaker surgery, but he said that was not a factor in his decision. He indicated that he expected Parliament-Funkadelic would continue to tour without him, saying "Truth be told, it's never really been about me. It's always been about
1400-456: The song "Can't C Me" from the album All Eyez on Me ; Ice Cube on the song and video for " Bop Gun (One Nation) " on the Lethal Injection album (which sampled Funkadelic's earlier hit " One Nation Under a Groove "); Outkast on the song "Synthesizer" from the album Aquemini ; Redman on the song "J.U.M.P." from the album Malpractice ; Souls of Mischief on "Mama Knows Best" from
1440-570: Was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music . During the commencement concert, Clinton joined the college's P-Funk Ensemble to perform hits like "Testify," "Give Up the Funk," and "One Nation Under a Groove". He was accompanied by longtime horn players Bennie Cowan and Greg Thomas. Clinton was a guest star in Odd Future 's television show Loiter Squad on Adult Swim in 2013. On June 27, 2015, Clinton joined Mark Ronson , Mary J. Blige and Grandmaster Flash on stage at
1480-660: Was awarded the Urban Icon Award from Broadcast Music Incorporated . The ceremony featured P-Funk associate Bootsy Collins , as well contemporary performers such as Big Boi from Outkast and Cee-Lo Green from Goodie Mob . Also in 2009, Clinton was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame . On March 7, 2010, Clinton voiced a colorful blob alien version of himself in T-Pain 's Adult Swim television movie Freaknik: The Musical . In May 2012, Clinton
1520-475: Was found dead in his Florida home. According to police, he died of natural causes and had been dead for several days. Clinton was inducted as an honorary member of Omega Psi Phi on July 30, 2020. Clinton received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Clinton College in Rock Hill, SC on May 3, 2024. Parliament (band) Parliament was an American funk band formed in 1968 by George Clinton as
1560-470: Was more similar to the Funkadelic albums of the period, than to the later Parliament albums. The song "The Breakdown" was released separately as a single, and reached No. 30 on the R&B chart in 1971. Due to continuing contractual problems and the fact that Funkadelic releases were more successful at the time, Clinton temporarily abandoned the name Parliament (which he revived in 1974). Following Osmium ,
1600-511: Was recruited by the Chili Peppers to produce their album Freaky Styley , because the band members were huge fans of his and of funk in general. Clinton wrote the vocals and lyrics to the title track, which was originally intended by the band to be left as an instrumental piece. The album was not a commercial success at the time. In 1987, Clinton was recruited to write the theme song for The Tracey Ullman Show , "You're Thinking Right". During
#90909