Bernie Worrell
Encyclopedia
George Bernard "Bernie" Worrell, Jr. (born April 19, 1944) is an American
keyboardist
and composer
best known as a founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic
and for his work with Talking Heads
. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic
. Ice Cube
called him the best keyboardist he has ever heard.
, New Jersey
and grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey
. A musical prodigy
, he learned to play the piano by age three and wrote a concerto
at age eight. He went on to study at Juilliard
and the New England Conservatory of Music
.
As a college student around 1970, Worrell played with a group called Chubby & The Turnpikes (later to be known as Tavares
). The drummer in that band was Joey Kramer
, who left in October, 1970, to be a founding member of the rock band Aerosmith
. He then met George Clinton
, then the leader of a doo wop group called The Parliaments
. Soon, Worrell, Clinton, The Parliaments and their backing band (Funkadelic
) moved to Detroit, Michigan
, and became Parliament
. During the 1970s the same group of musicians toured and recorded under both the Parliament and Funkadelic names as well as several others, collectively known as Parliament-Funkadelic
. Worrell was a central figure in the group. He played the piano, keyboards and organ in both groups and co-wrote or did the arrangement
s for many of the bands' hits. He debuted the keyboard synthesizer bass in popular music on the Parliament song "Flash Light". He also recorded a 1978
album with the group, All the Woo in the World
, under his own name.
While funk musicians traditionally utilized electric keyboards, such as the Hammond organ
and Fender Rhodes electric piano, Bernie Worrell created Parliament’s distinctive riffs with a Minimoog
synthesizer. Worrell’s synthesizer work is prominent on the majority of Parliament’s most popular (and most sampled
) songs throughout the 1970s, most notably ”Mothership Connection (Star Child)
” and “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)
” from Mothership Connection
, "Flash Light from Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome
and "Aqua Boogie
" from Motor Booty Affair
.
s such as Adrian Belew
, to perform and record with Talking Heads
, a pioneering new wave
act. Worrell's experience and feel for different arrangements enhanced the overall sound of the band. Though he never officially joined Talking Heads, he was a de facto
member of the group for most of the '80s, appearing on one of their studio albums, several solo albums, and multiple tours until they disbanded officially in 1992. Worrell can be seen in the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense
.
Worrell also co-produced Fred Schneider
's 1984 solo album Fred Schneider & the Shake Society
, and played keyboards and synthesizers on some of the album's tracks.
Since the late 1980s, Worrell has recorded extensively with Bill Laswell
. He has also performed with Gov't Mule
. Through the beginning of the 21st century, Bernie has become a visible member of the so-called Jam band
scene, performing in many large summer festivals, sometimes billed as Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors. These new funk, groove, and rock bands have embraced Worrell's historical relevance and immense talent. He has appeared on many Jack Bruce
albums, including A Question of Time, Cities of the Heart (live), Monkjack, and More Jack Than God.
In 1994, Worrell appeared on the Red Hot Organization
's compilation album, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by Time Magazine.
Worrell has since joined the rock group Black Jack Johnson, with Mos Def
, Will Calhoun
, Doug Wimbish
and Dr. Know
. He appears with the band on Mos Def's 2004 release The New Danger
.
Worrell joined forces with bass legend Les Claypool
, guitarist Buckethead
, and drummer Bryan Mantia
to form the group Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains
.
His project Baby Elephant is a collaboration with Stetsasonic
member/De La Soul
producer Prince Paul (producer) and longtime Paul associate Don Newkirk
. Released September 11, 2007, Turn My Teeth Up!, features George Clinton, Shock G
, Yellowman
, Reggie Watts
, Nona Hendryx
, David Byrne
and Gabby La La
.
In 2009 he joined with longtime Parliament-Funkadelic guitarist and musical director Dwayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight, bassist
Melvin Gibbs
and drummer J.T. Lewis to form the band "SociaLybrium". Their album "For You/For Us/For All" was released on Livewired Music in January 2010.
His nephew is underground rapper Chino XL
.
Worrell appears in the 2004 documentary film Moog
with synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog and several other Moog synthesizer musicians.
In 2011, he was touring with Bootsy Collins
who was also a major figure of the Parliament-Funkadelic.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
keyboardist
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
best known as a founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic
Parliament-Funkadelic
Parliament-Funkadelic is a funk, soul and rock music collective headed by George Clinton. Their style has been dubbed P-Funk. Collectively the group has existed under various names since the 1960s and has been known for top-notch musicianship, politically charged lyrics, outlandish concept albums...
and for his work with Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic
Parliament-Funkadelic
Parliament-Funkadelic is a funk, soul and rock music collective headed by George Clinton. Their style has been dubbed P-Funk. Collectively the group has existed under various names since the 1960s and has been known for top-notch musicianship, politically charged lyrics, outlandish concept albums...
. Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
called him the best keyboardist he has ever heard.
Funk and soul
Worrell was born in Long BranchLong Branch, New Jersey
Long Branch is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,719.Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
. A musical prodigy
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
, he learned to play the piano by age three and wrote a concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
at age eight. He went on to study at Juilliard
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
and the New England Conservatory of Music
New England Conservatory of Music
The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest independent school of music in the United States.The conservatory is home each year to 750 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies along with 1400 more in its Preparatory School as well as the School of...
.
As a college student around 1970, Worrell played with a group called Chubby & The Turnpikes (later to be known as Tavares
Tavares (band)
Tavares are a successful American R&B, funk and soul music group, composed of five Cape Verdean-American brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts.-Band members:...
). The drummer in that band was Joey Kramer
Joey Kramer
Joseph Michael "Joey" Kramer is the drummer for the American hard rock band Aerosmith....
, who left in October, 1970, to be a founding member of the rock band Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
. He then met George Clinton
George Clinton (funk musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
, then the leader of a doo wop group called The Parliaments
The Parliaments
The Parliaments were a doo-wop quintet from Plainfield, New Jersey, formed in the back room of a barbershop in the late 1950s and named after the cigarette brand. After some early personnel changes their lineup solidified with George Clinton, Ray Davis, Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, and Grady Thomas...
. Soon, Worrell, Clinton, The Parliaments and their backing band (Funkadelic
Funkadelic
Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
) moved to Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, and became Parliament
Parliament (band)
Parliament was a funk band most prominent during the 1970s. It and its sister act Funkadelic, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
. During the 1970s the same group of musicians toured and recorded under both the Parliament and Funkadelic names as well as several others, collectively known as Parliament-Funkadelic
Parliament-Funkadelic
Parliament-Funkadelic is a funk, soul and rock music collective headed by George Clinton. Their style has been dubbed P-Funk. Collectively the group has existed under various names since the 1960s and has been known for top-notch musicianship, politically charged lyrics, outlandish concept albums...
. Worrell was a central figure in the group. He played the piano, keyboards and organ in both groups and co-wrote or did the arrangement
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
s for many of the bands' hits. He debuted the keyboard synthesizer bass in popular music on the Parliament song "Flash Light". He also recorded a 1978
1978 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1978.-January–April:*January 14 – The Sex Pistols play their final show at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom....
album with the group, All the Woo in the World
All the Woo in the World
All The Woo In The World is the debut Funk album by Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell, released in 1978 by Arista Records. The album was produced by Bernie Worrell and P-Funk leader George Clinton and features various P-Funk alumni including Garry Shider, Bootsy Collins, Billy Bass...
, under his own name.
While funk musicians traditionally utilized electric keyboards, such as the Hammond organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
and Fender Rhodes electric piano, Bernie Worrell created Parliament’s distinctive riffs with a Minimoog
Minimoog
The Minimoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer, invented by Bill Hemsath and Robert Moog. It was released in 1970 by R.A. Moog Inc. , and production was stopped in 1981. It was re-designed by Robert Moog in 2002 and released as Minimoog Voyager.The Minimoog was designed in response to the use of...
synthesizer. Worrell’s synthesizer work is prominent on the majority of Parliament’s most popular (and most sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
) songs throughout the 1970s, most notably ”Mothership Connection (Star Child)
Mothership Connection (Star Child)
"Mothership Connection " is a funk song by Parliament. It was the third and last single released from the group's 1976 album Mothership Connection...
” and “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)
Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)
"Give Up the Funk " is a funk song by Parliament. It was released as a single under the name "Tear the Roof off the Sucker ". It was the second single to be released from Parliament's 1976 album Mothership Connection "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)" is a funk song by Parliament. It...
” from Mothership Connection
Mothership Connection
In 2003 the TV network VH1 named Mothership Connection the 55th greatest album of all time.In 2003, the album was ranked number 274 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time....
, "Flash Light from Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome
Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome
Funkentelechy Vs. The Placebo Syndrome is a funk album by Parliament, released in 1977 .The album is considered to be one of the best in Parliament's catalog...
and "Aqua Boogie
Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)
"Aqua Boogie " is a song by funk band Parliament. Released from their 1978 album, Motor Booty Affair, it spent four weeks at number one on the R&B singles chart during the winter of 1979. However it was not as successful on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, only peaking at number eighty-nine....
" from Motor Booty Affair
Motor Booty Affair
Motor Booty Affair is an album by funk band Parliament. Released in late 1978, it contains two of the group's most popular tracks, "Rumpofsteelskin" and "Aqua Boogie " which went to number one on the Billboard Black Singles chart. The album title refers to the music coming out of "Motor town"...
.
Alternative Music
After the original Parliament-Funkadelic stopped touring in the early 1980s, Worrell released several solo albums. He was recruited, along with other musicians from differing genreGenre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
s such as Adrian Belew
Adrian Belew
Adrian Belew is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer...
, to perform and record with Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
, a pioneering new wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
act. Worrell's experience and feel for different arrangements enhanced the overall sound of the band. Though he never officially joined Talking Heads, he was a de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
member of the group for most of the '80s, appearing on one of their studio albums, several solo albums, and multiple tours until they disbanded officially in 1992. Worrell can be seen in the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense
Stop Making Sense
Stop Making Sense is a concert movie featuring Talking Heads live on stage. Directed by Jonathan Demme, it was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December 1983, as the group was touring to promote their new album Speaking in Tongues. The movie is notable for...
.
Worrell also co-produced Fred Schneider
Fred Schneider
Frederick William "Fred" Schneider III is an American rock singer, best known as the frontman of the rock band The B-52's, of which he is a founding member. Schneider is well-known for his sprechgesang which he developed from reciting poetry over guitars.-Early life:Schneider was born in Newark,...
's 1984 solo album Fred Schneider & the Shake Society
Fred Schneider & the Shake Society
Fred Schneider and the Shake Society is an album by Fred Schneider. It was the first of two solo albums, and was re-released in 1991 as Fred Schneider ....
, and played keyboards and synthesizers on some of the album's tracks.
Since the late 1980s, Worrell has recorded extensively with Bill Laswell
Bill Laswell
Bill Laswell is an American bassist, producer and record label owner....
. He has also performed with Gov't Mule
Gov't Mule
Gov't Mule is a Southern rock jam band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band side project by Warren Haynes and Allen Woody.The band released their debut album Gov't Mule in 1995...
. Through the beginning of the 21st century, Bernie has become a visible member of the so-called Jam band
Jam band
-Ambiguity:By the late 1990s use of the term jam band also became ambiguous. An editorial at jamband.com suggested that any band of which a primary band such as Phish has done a cover of be included as jam band. The example was including New York post-punk band Talking Heads after Phish performed...
scene, performing in many large summer festivals, sometimes billed as Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors. These new funk, groove, and rock bands have embraced Worrell's historical relevance and immense talent. He has appeared on many Jack Bruce
Jack Bruce
John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
albums, including A Question of Time, Cities of the Heart (live), Monkjack, and More Jack Than God.
In 1994, Worrell appeared on the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
's compilation album, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by Time Magazine.
Worrell has since joined the rock group Black Jack Johnson, with Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, Will Calhoun
Will Calhoun
Will Calhoun is an American drummer, who graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music.-Career:...
, Doug Wimbish
Doug Wimbish
Doug Wimbish is a bass player, primarily known for his studio work for the rap/hip hop label Sugarhill Records and his membership of the funk metal band Living Colour. He has played for a vast range of artists, including Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, Madonna, George Clinton, Paula Cole, Bomb the Bass,...
and Dr. Know
Dr. Know (guitarist)
Dr. Know is the stage name of Gary Miller, guitarist for Bad Brains, regarded as one of punk rock's most innovative and important bands...
. He appears with the band on Mos Def's 2004 release The New Danger
The New Danger
The New Danger is the second studio album by American hip hop artist Mos Def, released October 19, 2004 on Rawkus and Geffen Records in the United States. The album was also released in Canada and continental Europe through Geffen, and it featured distribution in the United Kingdom on Island Records...
.
Worrell joined forces with bass legend Les Claypool
Les Claypool
Leslie Edward "Les" Claypool is an American musician and writer, best known as the lead vocalist and bassist in the band Primus. Claypool's playing style on the electric bass mixes tapping, flamenco-like strumming, whammy bar bends and slapping.Claypool has also self produced and engineered his...
, guitarist Buckethead
Buckethead
Brian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
, and drummer Bryan Mantia
Bryan Mantia
Bryan "Brain" Mantia is a contemporary rock drummer. He has played with bands like Primus, Guns N' Roses, Praxis and Godflesh, and with other popular performers such as Tom Waits, Bill Laswell, Bootsy Collins and Buckethead...
to form the group Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains
Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains
Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains was an experimental supergroup featuring bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Buckethead, keyboardist Bernie Worrell and drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia.-History:...
.
His project Baby Elephant is a collaboration with Stetsasonic
Stetsasonic
Stetsasonic was an American hip hop group formed in 1979 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. It is remembered as one of the first hip hop crews to use a live band, and the group's positive, uplifting lyrics made it forerunners of alternative hip hop and jazz hip...
member/De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
producer Prince Paul (producer) and longtime Paul associate Don Newkirk
Don Newkirk
Donald Newkirk is a musician and record producer known for his voice-overs on hip hop albums such as De La Soul's Three Feet High and Rising and 3rd Bass' song The Gas Face. Newkirk is also a member of the underground hip hop group The Dix, produced by Prince Paul.- References :...
. Released September 11, 2007, Turn My Teeth Up!, features George Clinton, Shock G
Shock G
Gregory E. Jacobs , known by the stage names Shock G and Humpty Hump, is an American musician and rapper, known as the lead vocalist for the hip hop group Digital Underground...
, Yellowman
Yellowman
Yellowman is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay, widely known as King Yellowman...
, Reggie Watts
Reggie Watts
Reggie Watts is a Seattle-based comedian and musician. His shows are mostly improvised and consist of stream of consciousness stand-up in various shifting personae, mixed with loop pedal-based a cappella compositions. He also performs regularly on television, radio, and in live theater...
, Nona Hendryx
Nona Hendryx
Nona Hendryx is an American vocalist, producer, songwriter, musician, author, and actress.Hendryx is known for her work as a solo artist as well as for being one-third of the trio Labelle, who had a hit with "Lady Marmalade." Her music has ranged from soul, funk, dance, and R&B to hard rock, art...
, David Byrne
David Byrne (musician)
David Byrne is a musician and artist, best known as a founding member and principal songwriter of the American new wave band Talking Heads, which was active between 1975 and 1991. Since then, Byrne has released his own solo recordings and worked with various media including film, photography,...
and Gabby La La
Gabby La La
Gabby La La, is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist , signed to Prawn Song Records. Her music is self described as "fun, unique, crazy kooky". La La's eccentric debut album, Be Careful What You Wish For..., is a collaboration with Les Claypool that though "peculiar.....
.
In 2009 he joined with longtime Parliament-Funkadelic guitarist and musical director Dwayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight, bassist
Melvin Gibbs
Melvin Gibbs
Melvin Gibbs is an American bass guitarist, composer, and producer who has appeared on close to 200 albums in diverse genres of music. Gibbs has been called "the best bassist in the world" by Time Out New York magazine....
and drummer J.T. Lewis to form the band "SociaLybrium". Their album "For You/For Us/For All" was released on Livewired Music in January 2010.
His nephew is underground rapper Chino XL
Chino XL
Derek Keith Barbosa , better known by his stage name Chino XL, is an American hip hop lyricist, battle rapper, and actor of Puerto Rican and African American descent...
.
Worrell appears in the 2004 documentary film Moog
Moog (film)
Moog is a 2004 documentary film by Hans Fjellestad about electronic instrument pioneer Dr. Robert Moog. The film features scenes of Dr. Moog interacting with various musical artists who view Moog as an influential figure in the history of electronic music....
with synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog and several other Moog synthesizer musicians.
In 2011, he was touring with Bootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins
William Earl "Bootsy" Collins is an American funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament-Funkadelic in the '70s, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk...
who was also a major figure of the Parliament-Funkadelic.
Documentary
A film entitled "Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth" was released about the life, music and impact of Bernie on music. "The Film captures the life and the sound of an overlooked and eccentric musical mastermind who has been compared to Beethoven, Duke Ellington and Jimi Hendrix."Solo albums
- 1978: All the Woo in the WorldAll the Woo in the WorldAll The Woo In The World is the debut Funk album by Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell, released in 1978 by Arista Records. The album was produced by Bernie Worrell and P-Funk leader George Clinton and features various P-Funk alumni including Garry Shider, Bootsy Collins, Billy Bass...
- 1990: B.W. Jam (Rock the House)
- 1991: Funk of AgesFunk of AgesFunk of Ages is the second solo album by former Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell. The album was released in 1990 by Gramavision Records...
- 1993: Pieces Of Woo: The Other SidePieces Of Woo: The Other SidePieces Of Woo: The Other Side is the fourth solo album by former Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell. The album was released by CMP Records in Germany in 1993, and would be the only album that Bernie Worrell would record for the label. The album tracks lean towards classic and...
- 1993: Blacktronic ScienceBlacktronic ScienceBlacktronic Science is the third solo album by former Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell. The album was released by Gramavision records in 1993 and was produced by Bill Laswell and Bernie Worrell...
- 1997: Free Agent: A Spaced OdysseyFree Agent: A Spaced OdysseyFree Agent: A Spaced Odyssey is the fifth solo album by former Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell. The album was released by Polystar Records in Japan in 1997. The album features guest musicians Buckethead, Umar Bin Hassan, and Bill Laswell...
- 2007: Improvisczario
- 2010: Standards
Selected group albums and notable contributions
- 1970: OsmiumOsmium (album)Osmium is the debut album of American funk band Parliament, led by George Clinton. The album has a psychedelic soul sound with a spirit of experimentation that is more similar to early Funkadelic than the later R&B-inspired Parliament albums. It was originally released in July 1970 on Invictus...
by ParliamentParliament (band)Parliament was a funk band most prominent during the 1970s. It and its sister act Funkadelic, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:... - 1970: FunkadelicFunkadelic (album)Funkadelic was the debut album by the American funk band Funkadelic, released in 1970 on Westbound Records. The album showcased a strong bass and rhythm section, as well as lengthy jam sessions, future trademarks of the band...
by FunkadelicFunkadelicFunkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:... - 1971: Maggot BrainMaggot BrainMaggot Brain is the third studio album by the American funk band Funkadelic, released in 1971 on Westbound Records. The album incorporates musical elements of psychedelia, rock, gospel, and soul music, with significant variation between each track. Pitchfork Media named it the seventeenth best...
by Funkadelic - 1972: America Eats Its YoungAmerica Eats Its YoungAmerica Eats Its Young is the fourth album by Funkadelic, released in 1972. This was the first album to include the whole of the House Guests, including Bootsy Collins, Catfish Collins, Chicken Gunnels, Rob McCollough and Kash Waddy...
by Funkadelic - 1974: Up for the Down StrokeUp for the Down StrokeUp for the Down Stroke is a 1974 album by Parliament. It was the band's second album , and their first to be released on Casablanca Records. The album's title track was Parliament's first chart hit and remains one of the most well-known P-Funk songs...
by Parliament - 1977: Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo SyndromeFunkentelechy vs. the Placebo SyndromeFunkentelechy Vs. The Placebo Syndrome is a funk album by Parliament, released in 1977 .The album is considered to be one of the best in Parliament's catalog...
by Parliament - 1982: The Name of This Band Is Talking HeadsThe Name of This Band Is Talking HeadsThe Name of This Band Is Talking Heads is a double live album by Talking Heads, originally released in 1982. The first album featured the original quartet in recordings from 1977 and 1979, and the second album the expanded ten-piece lineup that toured in 1980 and 1981...
by Talking HeadsTalking HeadsTalking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison... - 1983: Speaking in Tongues by Talking HeadsTalking HeadsTalking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
- 1984: Stop Making SenseStop Making SenseStop Making Sense is a concert movie featuring Talking Heads live on stage. Directed by Jonathan Demme, it was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December 1983, as the group was touring to promote their new album Speaking in Tongues. The movie is notable for...
by Talking HeadsTalking HeadsTalking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison... - 1984: Fred Schneider & the Shake SocietyFred Schneider & the Shake SocietyFred Schneider and the Shake Society is an album by Fred Schneider. It was the first of two solo albums, and was re-released in 1991 as Fred Schneider ....
by Fred SchneiderFred SchneiderFrederick William "Fred" Schneider III is an American rock singer, best known as the frontman of the rock band The B-52's, of which he is a founding member. Schneider is well-known for his sprechgesang which he developed from reciting poetry over guitars.-Early life:Schneider was born in Newark,... - 1992: Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis)Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis)Note: Track 8 starts out with the Giant Robot theme, that is also featured on Buckethead's Bucketheadland album. The track also contains a version of one of the many themes Akira Ifukube wrote for Toho production's Godzilla films.-Personnel:...
by PraxisPraxis (band)Praxis was the name of an ever-changing musical project, led by prolific producer Bill Laswell. Praxis combine elements of different musical genres such as funk, jazz, hip-hop and heavy metal into highly improvised music... - 1993: Every Silver Lining Has a CloudEvery Silver Lining Has a Cloud-Credits:*Buckethead: Guitar, Vocals *Carey Burtt: Guitar*Teddy Daniel: Flugelhorn*Anton Fier: Drums, Vocals *Julian Bernard Fowler: Piano, Vocals *Oz Fritz: Engineer, Mixing*Brian Kelly: Guitar, Design...
by Julian SchnabelJulian SchnabelJulian Schnabel is an American artist and filmmaker. In the 1980s, Schnabel received international media attention for his "plate paintings"—large-scale paintings set on broken ceramic plates.... - 1999: UnisonUnison (Shin Terai album)-Personnel:* Bass, Synthesizer, Effects - Bill Laswell* Engineers - Oz Fritz & Robert Musso* Guitar - Buckethead* Guitar, Sitar - Nicky Skopelitis* Ogran, Synthesizer, Clavinet - Bernie Worrell* Voice, Synthesizer, Loops, Beats, Effects - Shin Terai...
by Shin TeraiShin TeraiShin Terai is a Japanese musician and producer most known for his work with Bill Laswell and Buckethead. On his albums he combines ambient and electronic music with dub and avant-garde jazz.- Biography :... - 2004: The Big Eyeball in the SkyThe Big Eyeball in the SkyThe Big Eyeball in the Sky is the 2004 album by Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains, known by fans as "C2B3", released on Les Claypool's own Prawn Song label.- Reception :Hal Horowitz of Allmusic gave the album an above average review, writing:...
by Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie BrainsColonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie BrainsColonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains was an experimental supergroup featuring bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Buckethead, keyboardist Bernie Worrell and drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia.-History:... - 2006: Gold & Wax by GigiGigi (singer)Ejigayehu Shibabaw, or Gigi as she is popularly known, is one of the most successful contemporary Ethiopian singers worldwide. Coming from an ancient tradition of song originating in the Ethiopian Church, she has brought the music of Ethiopia to wider appreciation and developed it in combination...
- 2007: LightyearsLightyears (Shin Terai album)-Credits:* Guitar - Buckethead* Keyboards - Bernie Worrell* Strings - Karl Berger* Trumpet, Electronics - Nils Petter Molvær* Turntables - DXT* Violin - Lili Haydn* Vocals - Gigi* Voice - Aman Laswell* Programmed By - Shin Terai...
by Shin Terai - 2007: Tennessee 2004Tennessee 2004Note: Track 8 is derivative of The Interworld And The New Innocence from the Transmutation album-Personnel:* Praxis:** Buckethead - guitars** Bill Laswell - bass** Bryan "Brain" Mantia - drums** Bernie Worrell - keyboards...
by Praxis - 2007: Turn My Teeth Up! by Baby Elephant
- 2008: Profanation (Preparation for a Coming Darkness)Profanation (Preparation for a Coming Darkness)-U.S. Release :-By Song:-General Credits:*Produced and arranged by Bill Laswell*Created at Orange Music Orange, NJ*Engineer: Robert Musso*Assistant: James Dellatacoma*Drums and Amps/Set up: Artie Smith*Mastered at Turtle Tone Studio...
by Praxis - 2008: Living on Another FrequencyLiving On Another Frequency-Notes:* The song "At Any Cost" features parts of the song "Gigan" from the album The Elephant Man's Alarm Clock by Buckethead.* The song "I See Rockets" features parts of the song "Lotus Island" from the album Inbred Mountain by Buckethead.-Personnel:...
by Science FaxtionScience FaxtionScience Faxtion is an American experimental metal band that formed in California in 2007. Comprising multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Bootsy Collins, vocalist and guitarist Greg Hampton, guitarist Buckethead, drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia and DJ Tobe "Tobotius" Donohue , the band has released the... - 2008: A New Mind by Activities of Dust
External links
- The official website of Bernie Worrell
- Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth - the official documentary on Bernie Worrell
- Bernie Worrell collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive (currently empty) - Bernie Worrell and the WOO Warriors collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive - Artist Connection Podcast Interview