Detroit funk legend Joseph “Amp” Fiddler died Sunday at age 65 after a battle with cancer. Fiddler’s legend was built from his years as a keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic, album credits, solo work, and mentoring J.Dilla. Fiddler’s work as a musician and songwriter was heard across genres among various artists. He racked up more than 400 credits with Cheryl Lynn, George Clinton, Seal, Was Not Was, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Warren Zevon, Prince, Maxwell, The Brand New Heavies, Primal Scream, MC Breed, Moodymann, Raphael Saadiq, Sly Dunbar, Corinne Bailey Rae and more. Solo albums like Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly and Afro Strut showcased his soulful, raspy vocals and funky keyboard playing, infusing a bluesy melodic stillness into the music.
As a live performer, he was a capable showman, always at his sartorial best and fully engaged with his audiences worldwide. In his Detroit hometown, he was a local legend and a point of nurture for many artists. This sense of community was seen in projects like The Detroit Experiment, which included an eclectic group of artists from the city. He famously taught J.Dilla how to use an MPC and arranged the life-changing meeting between the young producer and Q-Tip. His humility and accessibility belied a resume of extraordinary achievements and his status as a well-respected industry secret. Earlier this year, Fiddler collaborated with London house music DJ and producer Luke Solomon on the single “Come On Over.”
