Previously background singers for Sly Stone, Mabry and Silva joined the P-Funk collective in 1977. George Clinton named the group (based on the scenario and characters from the Parliament album The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein) and produced their first album, Funk Or Walk, for Atlantic Records in 1978. Their debut album skyrocketed to success, selling over three hundred thousand copies within the first week as well as winning a record world award for best new female group.[citation needed]
The Brides of Funkenstein charted at Number 7 on the R&B Hit charts; the single single release "Disco To Go" was certified gold in America and reached platinum status in Europe and Asia. The duo became the opening act fixture of the P-Funk road shows; as well as performing with Parliament Funkadelic.
Lynn Mabry left the group in 1979. Dawn Silva, the original lead vocalist, would pick up the torch and invite back-up vocalist "Bridesmaids" Sheila Horne and Jeanette McGruder to sing on the second Brides album, Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy.
Dawn Silva, Sheila Horne and Jeanette McGruder were to receive a Cashbox Rhythm & Blues award for best new female artist, beating out The Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge, and Cheryl Lynn. The Brides' second album was rated in 2001 by Rolling Stone as one of the top 25 albums ever released.[citation needed]
The trio recorded a third album, "Shadows On The Wall" in 1980. Most of the Brides' material from the un-released third album was gradually featured, song by song, throughout the P-Funk catalogue. Lynn Mabry toured with Talking Heads in 1984, appearing in the famed concert film Stop Making Sense along with co-founder P-Funk colleague Bernie Worrell.
Dawn Silva and Lynn Mabry had a brief reunion in 1981 as the New Wave Brides, opening for Grace Jones, and a lengthy tour with Was (Not Was). Dawn Silva would tour and record with the Gap Band from 1983 to 1991, moving on to work with Ice Cube (Boyz in The Hood). She released her debut solo CD in 2000. Entitled "All My Funky Friends," it garnered rave reviews in Europe and Asia.
INTRODUCTION
The Brides of Funkenstein Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
J.W.J.: Thank you, thank you. Here to back up one of the finest groups, is the Horny Horns and on drums we have Frank Waddy - Sagitarius.
On the keyboard - Razor Sharp.
On bass, Cherokee.
On guitar, Blackbird.
We also have Maceo.
And we have Kush -a Leo- the leader and Nick.
Would you welcome......
the Brides of Dr. Funkenstein.
We are the Brides of Dr. Funkenstein (x3)
The opening lyrics of The Brides of Funkenstein's song Introduction introduces the band members and sets the stage for the performance. The show MC introduces James Wesley Jackson, who will be backed up by the Horny Horns and Frank Waddy on drums, Razor Sharp on the keyboard, Cherokee on bass, Blackbird on guitar, Maceo, Kush – the Leo – as the leader, and Nick. After the introductions, James Wesley Jackson proudly presents the funkadelic band, The Brides of Dr. Funkenstein, as the funkiest ladies on earth.
The song is all about introducing the band members and building excitement for the upcoming performance. The lyrics are straightforward, but the delivery is full of energy and vibrancy that sets the mood for the rest of the performance. Throughout the song, you can hear how each member of the band is essential, and they all bring something unique to the table. Overall, the song is an effective way to hype up the audience and give the band the introduction they deserve.
Line by Line Meaning
Show M.C.: "Right about now I'd like to bring you a cat straight from the Chocolate Milky Way. his name is James Wesley Jackson. Give him a nice round of applause".
The MC introduces James Wesley Jackson as a performer from the Chocolate Milky Way and asks the audience to applaud him.
J.W.J.: Thank you, thank you. Here to back up one of the finest groups, is the Horny Horns and on drums we have Frank Waddy - Sagitarius.
James Wesley Jackson expresses gratitude for the warm reception, introduces the Horny Horns as the backing band, and names the drummer Frank Waddy, also known as Sagitarius.
On the keyboard - Razor Sharp.
A member of the band named Razor Sharp plays the keyboard.
On bass, Cherokee.
A band member named Cherokee plays the bass guitar.
On guitar, Blackbird.
A band member named Blackbird plays the guitar.
We also have Maceo.
The band includes a member named Maceo.
And we have Kush -a Leo- the leader and Nick.
The band includes Kush, a Leo, who is the leader, and another member named Nick.
So we proudly present at this time truly the funkiest ladies on earth, Dawn and Lynn.
The band introduces the two female vocalists, Dawn and Lynn, as the funkiest ladies on earth.
Would you welcome......the Brides of Dr. Funkenstein.
The band officially announces the arrival of the Brides of Dr. Funkenstein and asks the audience to welcome them.
We are the Brides of Dr. Funkenstein (x3)
The Brides of Dr. Funkenstein declare their identity in a repetitive manner.
Contributed by Elijah N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@charlesbrazell2136
This is my first time seeing and hearing this concert-wow-these MFs ain't bullsh_ting...throwin' down with some serious Funk here-and sound as good as anybody I ever heard!
Thank God that someone recorded this-and that this was able to be put on Youtube all these decades later...thank you to Mr. "hugenmatt" for putting this on Youtube also, without which, I(and no doubt many others)wouldn't have ever known about this concert!
Also-this is a group of musicians who are not what was known as being the standard members of Parliament-Funkadelic, but a group of players that we were not used to hearing(or seeing), on any of P-Funk's records before this time-I think this this explains why they not only sound so different, but so TIGHT as well!
Not that Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy's Rubberband couldn't throw down like this back then(they could and did)-but this honestly, was surprising-and refreshing to hear(and see)!
And how many more(videos of live performances)are there like this, by so many of the other great acts back at that time, when Funk and progressive R&B was king? And the sad thing about all of this is(if it can be said to be so), that NO ONE on this Earth is making music like this anymore-the new and younger generations have "fallen off" with respect to the great body of music that was made by the musicians, songwriters and singers of this era-where did it all go, and why doesn't it exist anymore?
The reasons why, are for another time; to explain would take more time than I care to devote to, at this time-besides I've already given the reasons on numerous replies and comments about what happened to the music of the former decades(and generations)on other websites in times past; not here and not now; let us return then, to the glory days of yesteryear, and enjoy the music that was recorded and saved for all these years-and now made available for any who see this to enjoy! 12-14-23.
@TheKimykali
These Funky ladies Never got the respect or recognition they were due! I wore the grooves off my B.O.F. album in high school, and now have the CD in my regular rotation! Thanks for the upload..
@jimy0803
@TheKimykali Dawn now says the reason for them and Parlet not becoming larger successes was bcuz some of the males felt threatened by the growing popularity of the 2 female groups, unfortunately.
@s4ujxm
I just watched this show for the first time in a while. I went to this show about 40 years ago. I was at the concert in DC at the Capital Center. Man I appreciate how spectacular this show was. The musicians were tight as ever. Dennis, BlackByrd, Jeff, Gary Hudgins, Greg Boyer and Thomas, Bennie Cowan, Shelia Horne, Jeannette McGruder and of course Lynn and Dawn. The funk-mob was giving up the funk and more. I love these meeces to pieces!
@johnashley327
Seeing it for the first time too. Getting ready to smoke a fat one.
@robertwoods1921
Dont sleep on Blackbird Mcknight on guitar! Dennis Chambers on drums, Cherokee on bass...this band was a beast!!!!!! Been funkin for a looooonnnnng time!!! Funk is its own reward!!!!
@playze88
Can't forget Gary Hudgins on Keyboards.
@jmgmarcus808
Robert Woods Maybe one of THE most underrated bands of the funk. And yes the band was killer.
@jeremydowell1406
you know!!!
@charlesbrazell2136
This is my first time ever hearing and seeing this live performance-and you're right-the band(musicians and singers)are killing it! 12-14-23.@@jmgmarcus808
@rogerrice5325
C’mon how can sleep on Greatness, stop playing lol Chester Stand Up 🤜🏾🤜🏾🤜🏾