FUNK BROTHERS CATALOGUE
The Funk Brothers created the music listeners hear today on their favorite Motown records. While these musicians played on memorable hits by artists including The Supremes, The Four Tops and and The Miracles, their names went unrecognized. The following is a list of those who brought those sounds to life - both in Detroit and California.
This list is an ongoing process. If you know of information currently not listed, please email [email protected].
List provided by Funk Brother, Tony Newton.
This list is an ongoing process. If you know of information currently not listed, please email [email protected].
List provided by Funk Brother, Tony Newton.
DETROIT MOTOWN MUSICIANS
Keyboardists:
Joe Hunter (band leader, 1959–1964)* Earl Van Dyke (band leader, 1964–1972)* Richard "Popcorn" Wylie (1959–1962) Johnny Griffith (1963–1972)* Johnny Gittens (1963–1967) Ted Sheely (1963–1967) Guitarists: Robert White (1959–1972)* Eddie "Chank" Willis (1959–1972)* Joe Messina (1959–1972)* Larry Veeder (1959–1962) Dave Hamilton (1959–1962) Huey Davis (1959–1967, The Contours' road and studio guitarist) Marvin Tarplin (1958–1973, The Miracles' road and studio guitarist). Cornelius Grant (1963–1972, The Temptations' road guitarist/band leader) Dennis Coffey (1967–1972) Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin (1968–1972) Ray Parker Jr. (1968-1972) Ray Monette Bassists: James Jamerson (1959–1972)* Clarence Isabell (1959–1962) Bob Babbitt (1967–1972)* Edward Pickens (1968–1972) Tweed Beard Joe Williams Michael Henderson Joe James Antonio "Tony" Newton Drums: William "Benny" Benjamin (1959–1969)* Richard "Pistol" Allen (1959–1972)* George McGregor (1959–1962) Corey Jahns (1959–1967) bongos Clifford Mack (1959–1962) Marvin Gaye (1959–1962) Uriel Jones (1963–1972)* Freddie Waits (1963–1967) Andrew Smith (1968–1972) Percussion: Jack Ashford (1959–1972, tambourine)* Eddie "Bongo" Brown (1959–1972, various)* Vibes: Jack Ashford (1959–1972) (also listed above)* Dave Hamilton (1959–1962) James Gittens (1959–1962) Jack Brokensha (1963–1972) Trumpets: Herbie Williams John "Little John" Wilson Marcus Belgrave Russell Conway Johnny Trudell Floyd Jones Maurice Davis Billy Horner Don Slaughter Eddie Jones Trombones: Bob Cousar George Bohanon Paul Riser Jimmy Wilkens Don White Carl Raetz Patrick Lanier Bill Johnson Ed Gooch |
Saxophones:
Henry "Hank" Cosby Andrew "Mike" Terry Norris Patterson Thomas "Beans" Bowles Teddy Buckner Walter "Choker" Campbell Ronnie Wakefield "Lefty" Edwards Eli Fountain Ernie Rodgers Kasuku Mafia Eugene "BeeBee" Moore William "Wild Bill" Moore Angelo Carlisi Dan Turner Bernie Peacock Larry Nozero Lanny Austin Trombones: Bob Cousar George Bohanon Paul Riser Jimmy Wilkens Don White Carl Raetz Patrick Lanier Bill Johnson Ed Gooch Flute: Dayna Hartwick Thomas "Beans" Bowles Strings: Gordon Staples and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Strings Section Trumpets: Herbie Williams John "Little John" Wilson Marcus Belgrave Russell Conway Johnny Trudell Floyd Jones Maurice Davis Billy Horner Don Slaughter Eddie Jones Saxophones: Henry "Hank" Cosby Andrew "Mike" Terry Norris Patterson Thomas "Beans" Bowles Teddy Buckner Walter "Choker" Campbell Ronnie Wakefield "Lefty" Edwards Eli Fountain Ernie Rodgers Kasuku Mafia Eugene "BeeBee" Moore William "Wild Bill" Moore Angelo Carlisi Dan Turner Bernie Peacock Larry Nozero Lanny Austin Flute: Dayna Hartwick Thomas "Beans" Bowles Strings: Gordon Staples and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Strings Section |
LOS ANGELES MOTOWN MUSICIANS
Keyboards:
Mike Rubini Joe Sample Clarence McDonald Don Randi Larry Knechtel Drums: Earl Palmer Jacob Greenberg Gene Pello Paul Humphreys James Gadson Melvin Webb Bass: Wilton Felder Bill Pitman Jacob Aaron Greenberg Ron Brown |
Percussion:
Gary Coleman Bobbye Hall Porter King Errisson Joe Clayton Sandra Crouch Jerry Steinholtz Emil Richards Guitars: Ray Parker Jr Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin Arthur Wright Doug Bartenfeld David T. Walker Tommy Tedesco Louie Shelton Adolph Green Weldon T. Parks Dennis Coffey |
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