Free Republic

Calvin Simon, best known for his work as a vocalist with George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic, has died at the age of 79. "Rest in peace to my P-Funk brother Mr. Calvin Simon," Clinton wrote in a post to Facebook. "Fly on Calvin!" “We lost another original member of Parliament/Funkadelic,” added bassist Bootsy Collins in a message of his own, remembering Simon as a “friend, bandmate & a cool classic guy.” Born in Beckley, W.V., Simon grew up singing in his church's choir. When he was a teenager, he moved to New Jersey, where he got involved with a local harmony group...

Known throughout the community as director of communications for Pueblo School District 60, Dalton Sprouse also is a dedicated follower of funk music, and all things funky. “Funk is fusion of jazz, rock, and R&B, resulting in a new groove that would clear the way for some of America’s greatest dance music,” Sprouse said. “Artists like Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and nearly every hip-hop artist have built their sound upon the foundation funk music established. “So here is my list of 10 of funk music’s most heralded cuts:” “Get on the Good Foot (Pt. 1),” James Brown. The Godfather...

James Brown has yet to be buried. Over a month after his death, legal wrangling over Brown’s estate has prevented the signing icon from receiving a proper burial. And despite considerable precedence in cases like this, (Elvis Presley wasn’t buried for 90 days because of legal issues. Ted Williams’ family feuded for months over whether to freeze or cremate Williams’ body.) The man deserves to be buried immediately...

Funk Singer Rick James Dies in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES (AP) - Funk legend Rick James, best known for the 1981 hit ``Super Freak,'' died Friday, apparently of natural causes, police said. James died at 9:45 a.m. at a residence near Universal City, said Police Department spokeswoman Esther Reyes. ``We learned of his death after responding to a radio call,'' Reyes said. After his big hit, James' fame began to fade as he became embroiled in drugs, legal problems and health issues. James was convicted in 1993 of assaulting two women. The first attack occurred in 1991 when he restrained...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Funk music pioneer George Clinton was arrested and charged with drug possession after allegedly telling an officer he had cocaine in his pocket. Clinton, of Tallahassee, was arrested Saturday and bonded out of jail over the weekend, according to jail officials, who wouldn't release any other information. Clinton's lawyer, Shoshana Zisk of San Francisco, didn't immediately return a call seeking comment. Clinton, 63, who headed the funk bands Parliament and Funkadelic — and the collaboration later known as P-Funk — in the 1970s and 1980s is considered a father of the genre. In 1983, Clinton's solo record...