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.” 

We’re not going to see a diaper-clad Garry Shider onstage with P-Funk anymore. A prominent force of musical muscle as a vocalist, guitarist and director of the P-Funk died of brain and lung cancer yesterday. Shider’s family and friends had created a fund for his medical expenses since he started fighting the disease on March 25th. As a ten-year old child growing-up in Plainfield, New Jersey Shider and his brothers played and sang behind
several gospel artists including The Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Shirley Caesar, The Five Blind Boys and others. As a ten-year old child Shider and his brothers played and sang behind several gospel artists including The Might Clouds Of Joy, Shirley Caesar and The Five Blind Boys. It was around this time in his life when he met George Clinton at the barbershop that Clinton owned. In addition to cutting hair Clinton would host doo-wop sessions and counsel youth. Shider and his good friend Cordell “Boogie” Mason were teenagers in the ’60’s when they moved to Canada trying to escape the lure of the streets. They formed a band called United Soul and were taken under Clinton’s wing. The results of his involvement bore two singles for Shider and Masson’s group, “I Miss My Baby” and “Baby I Owe You Something Good” as US Music With Funkadelic on the Westbound label. But by
both Shider and Mosson were members of Funkadelic. Shider quickly became known as “Diaperman” for the loincloth he wore as a suggestion from Clinton. His vocals and guitar on songs like “Swing Down” and “Cosmic Slop” were necessities of the P-Funk sound. He is a co-writer of “One Nation Under A Groove” and worked with spin off acts Bootsy Collins and fallen too soon guitar genius Eddie Hazel. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 1997 along with the other members of Parliament Funkadelic. His work with both bands helped formed the foundation of postmodern music. Hip-hop, dance, R&B, rock and countless other genres have lifelines in P-Funk.