In the 90’s, I desperately wanted to get a Clinton for president button or shirt (with George in small letters on the top), but I couldn’t find one in any stores. This was before the days when you could get almost anything on line. I also saw a later day incarnation of P Funk for free at Taste of Chicago, and they were bold, wonderful, outrageous, energetic, audacious, and highly entertaining. At one point there were around eighteen people on stage including a man in diapers and a cowboy (yes the Village People weren’t that original.)The music was a wonderfully eclectic blend of funk, jazz and psychedelia with sci-fi lyrics and great glam visuals. Without Clinton, Rick James, Prince, The Time, and many rappers would be nowhere.
The leader of the band, George Clinton was definitely a musical genius- it’s hard to dispute that. But not all geniuses are necessarily good or ethical people. The fascinating and splendid new documentary, Tear the Roof Off, which is currently playing at the Gene Siskel Center as part of the Black Harvest Festival discusses the dark side of the icon, focusing on how he systematically ripped off and sometimes even destroyed the careers of his talented supporting performers.
According to this lively doc, one member of his band played over forty shows for George and he only was paid 40 dollars. In addition George was supposed to have signed over his royalty rights to many of his songs, and even his band members’ rights to his cocaine dealer. The brides of funkenstein claim that George rush released his group’s album to prevent a side project by some members to hit number one.
Anyone interested in 70s music and how music hierarchies work should check out Tear the Roof off playing Friday and Saturday at the Gene Siskel Center. Although George more than deserves his accolades Bootsy Collins, Lynn Maybry, Eddie Hazel, and the rest also deserve to receive their due.
Fri, Aug 12th 8:30pm
Sat, Aug 13th 8:15pm
***1/2 out of 5
