Eddie Hazel (April 10, 1950 – December 23, 1992) was a pioneering and influ… Read Full Bio ↴Eddie Hazel (April 10, 1950 – December 23, 1992) was a pioneering and influential guitarist in early funk music in the United States, most famous for his lead guitar work with George Clinton and Funkadelic.
In 1967, The Parliaments (a Plainfield-based doo wop band headed by George Clinton) hit the charts with "I Wanna Testify". Clinton recruited a backing band for a tour, hiring Billy "Bass" Nelson. Eddie was in Newark, New Jersey working with George Blackwell and couldn't be reached. After Nelson returned from the tour, he tried to recruit Eddie. His mother at first vetoed the idea (since Eddie was only seventeen), but Clinton and Nelson worked together to change her mind.
In the fall of 1967, The Parliaments went on tour with both Nelson and Hazel. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hazel met and befriended Tiki Fulwood, who quickly replaced The Parliaments' drummer. Nelson, Hazel and Fulwood became the backbone of Funkadelic, which was originally the backup band for The Parliaments, only to later become an independent touring group when legal difficulties forced the group to (temporarily) abandon the name "Parliaments".
The doo wop of The Parliaments quickly began morphing into the soul-inflected hard rock of Funkadelic, influenced as much by Jimi Hendrix as Frankie Lymon. The switch to Funkadelic was complete with the addition of Tawl Ross and Bernie Worrell (rhythm guitar and keyboards, respectively). Funkadelic (1970), Free Your Mind... And Your Ass Will Follow (1970) and Maggot Brain (1971) were the first three albums, released in a mere two years.
Maggot Brain is perhaps the definitive musical statement by Funkadelic, and the titular track's ten-minute guitar solo is Eddie Hazel's defining moment, and the one piece of music for which he has remained a legend. Perhaps apocryphally, George Clinton told Hazel, during the recording session, to "play like your momma just died" and the result was the epic sounds of Hazel's guitar. The term, "Maggot Brain," refers both to Hazel's incredible intake of various drugs, as well as a mode of thinking which allows one to rise above the "bullshit" of the world, which is inhabited by maggots who have not yet achieved the status of Maggot Brain (see P Funk mythology).
In 1967, The Parliaments (a Plainfield-based doo wop band headed by George Clinton) hit the charts with "I Wanna Testify". Clinton recruited a backing band for a tour, hiring Billy "Bass" Nelson. Eddie was in Newark, New Jersey working with George Blackwell and couldn't be reached. After Nelson returned from the tour, he tried to recruit Eddie. His mother at first vetoed the idea (since Eddie was only seventeen), but Clinton and Nelson worked together to change her mind.
In the fall of 1967, The Parliaments went on tour with both Nelson and Hazel. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hazel met and befriended Tiki Fulwood, who quickly replaced The Parliaments' drummer. Nelson, Hazel and Fulwood became the backbone of Funkadelic, which was originally the backup band for The Parliaments, only to later become an independent touring group when legal difficulties forced the group to (temporarily) abandon the name "Parliaments".
The doo wop of The Parliaments quickly began morphing into the soul-inflected hard rock of Funkadelic, influenced as much by Jimi Hendrix as Frankie Lymon. The switch to Funkadelic was complete with the addition of Tawl Ross and Bernie Worrell (rhythm guitar and keyboards, respectively). Funkadelic (1970), Free Your Mind... And Your Ass Will Follow (1970) and Maggot Brain (1971) were the first three albums, released in a mere two years.
Maggot Brain is perhaps the definitive musical statement by Funkadelic, and the titular track's ten-minute guitar solo is Eddie Hazel's defining moment, and the one piece of music for which he has remained a legend. Perhaps apocryphally, George Clinton told Hazel, during the recording session, to "play like your momma just died" and the result was the epic sounds of Hazel's guitar. The term, "Maggot Brain," refers both to Hazel's incredible intake of various drugs, as well as a mode of thinking which allows one to rise above the "bullshit" of the world, which is inhabited by maggots who have not yet achieved the status of Maggot Brain (see P Funk mythology).
Lampoc Boogie
Eddie Hazel Lyrics
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@chrisedwards3214
All I need is Eddie, funkadelic and Jimi to listen to if I'm ever on a deserted island
@mightyluv
There are some songs where the soloist is fully involved, totally immersed, completely free; this is one of those. He just effortlessly improvises as though his mind is disengaged and his soul has control. Pure joy, pure love. Rock on Eddie, thank you for this gift.
@rebeccapatton8746
Eddie Hazel proved that a person is his spirit not his body...and music crosses color barriers! Eddie's music healed my broken heart cheered my soul I am alive again!!
@rebeccapatton8746
@build not destroy..i actually meant what I said no guile..."music is universal" direct quote of Eddie Hazel and believing that I say no color barrier can stop what leaves the heart reaching the heart..peace and love..music lover.
@bradfordpauler2538
@@rebeccapatton8746 I always liked something about these kinda players - who maybe be black or really funky or bluesy white rock guitarists - over most white flashy guitarists - way too many to list. But overall color is transcended yes - it means something in history and context but I love the way this kinda music brings people together. I love how you put it. Peace and love...music lover.
@143951
Eddie's label worked out a deal when he was in prison in Lompoc. He got temporarily let out to record this along with his solo album, then went right back to finish his sentence
@chrisedwards3214
Didn't eddie serve 9 months
@helenfein6103
You can really tell Eddie liked to play. This album is like a road trip. Don't know where you are going,just enjoy the ride. Such a beautiful album . Thanks for posting.:-)
@yoshluv7
My thoughts exactly, I was just thinking about that, just ride!!!!!!!
@baronoflivonia.3512
Eddie Hazel was Criminally Under Rated. He was on par with any Lead Guitarist, from any Genre, from his 1st session with P Funk. I spent 70's in & around Detroit and he was as good, or most the time better than any rock band that played at Cobo. RIP Eddie.