The Rickey Vincent Interview
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The Rickey Vincent InterviewThe Rickey Vincent Interview
The Rickey Vincent Interview (part 1) – 9/5/96
SYSTEM Greeter:
SYSTEM Greeter: You are now in room “FUNK”
SYSTEM Greeter: You have READ/WRITE Access
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G CHILD1: nothing just chilin
EVENT HOST: Rickey Vincent the author of Funk – The MUSIC, the PEOPLE, and the RHYTHM of THE ONE is coming to the Music Urban Sounds FUNK chat room tonight Sept 5 1996 at 11pm est
G CHILD1: what do you consider funk?
EVENT HOST: ….this man wrote a badass book all about the FUNK !!!
G CHILD1: what funk ?
EVENT HOST:Earth Wind and Fire, Rufus, the Meters, Johnny “Guitar” Watson , War, the Isley Brothers, Average White Band, Kool and the Gang, Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd St band, Curtis Mayfield, Buddy Miles, P-Funk, Hendrix, Chick Corea, James Brown, Billy Cohham, Jimmy Castor Bunch, Manu Dibango,Ohio Players, Sly and The Family Stone…..
EVENT HOST: for starters !!!
G CHILD1: Kool and the gang are good, but I like R kelly and stuff like that
EVENT HOST: u in to it ?
G CHILD1: i am more into dancehall reggae and r&B soul and hip hop.
FUNKY MOON: Alot of hip hoppers use samples from those guys
EVENT HOST: well come back at 11pm…..& u can talk to one of the worldÂ’s leading experts on FUNK and you can learn about the roots of your music !!!
EVENT HOST: There is a review of Funk – The MUSIC, the PEOPLE, and the RHYTHM of THE ONE – by Rickey Vincent posted on the web at http://pages.prodigy.com/funk/ for you to check out
EVENT HOST: go & check out the review of the book…..& then come back here at 11pm
SYSTEM Greeter: “Rickey V” has entered the room
EVENT HOST: Well it’s about time !!!
EVENT HOST: LOL
RICKEY V: what does lol mean?
EVENT HOST: LOL=Laughing out loud !!
RICKEY V: lets get it on
EVENT HOST: Yo Rickey !!!
EVENT HOST: Meet “Funky Moon” ….he works with me & he has written much of the material on the web page…
EVENT HOST: …he is also a big fan of your book
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EVENT HOST: Aquaboogie Flashlight Pinocchio Theory Big Bang Theory Funk Placebo Theory Black Hole Funkadelica Pleasure Principle Bop Gun Funkentelechy Rumpofsteelskin Children of Production Maggot Brain Sir Nose Clone Funk Mothership
EVENT HOST: Splank Cosmic Slop Motor Booty Affair Star Child Cro-nasal Sapiens Mr. Wiggles The Worm The Law
EVENT HOST: Dr. Funkenstein The One Thumpasorus Peoples Downstroke One Nation Woo Ego Munchies P. Funk Zone of Zero Funkativity Electric Spank
TT4U: hello…
FUNKOVERLORD: and……..event host, show off!!
TT4U: You guys are doing a great job, Thanks…..
EVENT HOST: LOL
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AN0THERNIGHT: night train here?
FUNKOVERLORD: it’s gettin Funky in here!!!
FUNKOVERLORD: he is in disguise
FUNKOVERLORD: he’s the one with the shades
TT4U: good…will talk later, it’s too funky tonight….
EVENT HOST: OK…. ….listen up…. …lets get started !!!
EVENT HOST: Rickey Vincent the author of Funk – The MUSIC, the PEOPLE, and the RHYTHM of THE ONE is our guest tonight
EVENT HOST: Welcome…if you have questions for our guest Rickey Vincent the author of Funk – The MUSIC, the PEOPLE, and the RHYTHM of THE ONE IM them to me.
EVENT HOST: Funk – The MUSIC, the PEOPLE, and the RHYTHM of THE ONE – by Rickey Vincent – Foreword by George Clinton, …..St. MartinÂ’s Griffin, ……ISBN 0312–13499-1
EVENT HOST: Rickey is an instructor at San Francisco State University, he is known among Bay Area funkateers as the Uhuru Maggot, thanks to his all-funk radio show on KPFA.
EVENT HOST: Rickey lives in Berkley California, with his wife and son.
NineStarAlii: Whoa, I never knew that. I’ve heard of the Uhuru Maggot. Now I gotta get this book. Much respect from up here in Washington State. Okay, I’ll shutup.
EVENT HOST: Thank you Ali !!!
EVENT HOST: Ready for your first question Rickey ?
RICKEY V: got free
EVENT HOST: “freedom is a beautiful thang”
EVENT HOST: say hello to the “FUNKATEERS” ……………..Rickey
RICKEY V: hello fellow FUNKATEERS, how you’re juices flowin tonite
EVENT HOST: First question…..
EVENT HOST: nightrain: Rickey, what inspired you to write the book ?
RICKEY V: What inspired me to write the book? the relentless graviational pull of The Funk!
EVENT HOST: TruPlaya: Will self contained funk bands EVER make a comeback?
RICKEY V: Self-contained funk has always been the way to go, but as far as mainstream popularity is concerned, that may be overrated
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EVENT HOST: Funkoverlord: Where do Les Mc Cann , Stanley Turentine, or George Benson. fit in ? Are they included in your listed dynasties?
RICKEY V: I thought about these guys, but when it came down to the Jazz-funk chapter — which deserves a book of its own — the heavyweights used up all the space: Miles Davis, Herbie, etc
EVENT HOST: NineStarAlii:. What do you think of the newer artists who are keeping that same kind of “FUNK” spirit alive?
RICKEY V: I don’t think of newer artists that much. My radio show: “The History of Funk” is really only retro — I did 2 hrs of Bambaataa last week, but new funk acts are often depressing.
EVENT HOST: Why do you say that Ricky ?
RICKEY V: Why do I say what? that the new music is crap?
EVENT HOST: NineStarAlii: Well not crap, but in that you feel it’s depressing?
RICKEY V: You need to be more specific when you say “new artists that have the funk spirit”. Dr. Dre has the funk, but I’m not proud of that.
EVENT HOST: TruPlaya: Who do you think does the best job of carrying the flame of the funk in ’96?
RICKEY V: I thought Lakeside turned out Sinbad’s special, and Cameo’s live act is much better than their new CD, and GC’s new disc is the bomb. Why waste time with rookies.
EVENT HOST: LOL
EVENT HOST: What about Natalie Cole ?
RICKEY V: She was great. Funk would be a marginal style if soul music didn’t raise the standards, and Natalie showed that.
EVENT HOST: Funkoverlord: I know George and the fellas sang Doo Wop, but was George also influenced by Gospel ?
RICKEY V: GC never struck me as a church-goer. He once said that he found god when he took acid in 1963. Obviously tracks like “Open our Eyes,” “Silent Boatman” show he felt the spirit.
EVENT HOST: nightrain: What was in your opinion the first FUNK record ?
RICKEY V: That’s the enigma of our times. JB claims that it was Poppa’s got a brand new bag. Nelson George says it’s Cold Sweat…
EVENT HOST: What do you say…..Rickey ?
RICKEY V: I believe that the first “funk” that we know and love began when Maceo Parker joined JB’s band, and the two began performing. (their first recording was ‘new bag’)
EVENT HOST: ok
EVENT HOST: <—was hoping he would say nightrain !!!
RICKEY V: As for “night train” it’s the wildest R&B instrumental ever made, but doesnt hit on The One…
EVENT HOST: Sounds pretty good to me Rickey
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EVENT HOST: TruPlaya: Ask Rickey: Will self contained funk bands EVER make a comeback?
RICKEY V: What kind of comeback do you want? The today show? Rosie O’Donnell? Big (ripoff) record deals? R&R hall of fame? How about respect!
EVENT HOST: GOOD ANSWER !!!
EVENT HOST: Funkoverlord: non-commercial radio has always given the artist respect
EVENT HOST: TruPlaya: what is your opinion of rappers using funk tracks? Blasphemous or a “good” thing?
RICKEY V: Any funk is better than No funk as far as I’m concerned, because there is always the chance that more can come from there. If you have NO funk, you’re in deep doo doo
EVENT HOST: Funk – The MUSIC, the PEOPLE, and the RHYTHM of THE ONE – by Rickey Vincent – Foreword by George Clinton, …..St. MartinÂ’s Griffin, ……ISBN 0312–13499-1
EVENT HOST: RICKEY VINCENT has written about music for Vibe, Mondo 2000 and elsewhere.
EVENT HOST: TT4U: Is your knowlege of FUNK from any of your personal experience, or is it something that you may have picked up from people ont the street?
RICKEY V: My brother was (and is) a Bernie clone keyboardist since the 70’s… The bay area is a freaky place to collect music, and I’ve been doing that since 1975…When I started radio in 1984… ….Nobody was playing The Funk in 1984, so “The Uhuru Maggot’s Funk Feast’ started on KALX underground, and with the pressure of oppression, it got even harder into pure fonk ….The Funk was part of an ideal of music and culture that our favorite 70’s bands all ascribed to: EW&F, Rufus, KG, Ohio Players.. all of them. It was just a matter of sticking to it or…
EVENT HOST: Big Bang Theory: Funk set the universe in motion; ignition by Funk. Ain’t nothin’ but a party in a Black Hole.
EVENT HOST: Funk Chat, every Monday and Thursday 11pm.
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RICKEY V: My radio show today is called “The History of Funk” on KPFA 94.1fm in Berkeley. it reaches most of northern california on Fridays at Midnight.
RICKEY V: On KALX in the 80’s It was the Uhuru Maggot’s Wild World of Funk, The Funk Feast and a few others…
EVENT HOST: Funky Moon: What do you think about black radio today?
RICKEY V: What do I think of black radio? What about black in general? Black radio is a joke. It’s a reflection of the pathetic state of the black community… How many blacks own black radio? How many blacks own their own record companies? how many blacks own their own publishing? dont let me get started…
EVENT HOST: Funkoverlord: not wait a minute…
EVENT HOST: Jonjazzy: That’s so true Ricky.
RICKEY V: Maybe there are strong oldies stations, or ethnic rap stations that get busy in your towns, but not in the Bay Area…
EVENT HOST: Jonjazzy: This brother is on point.
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EVENT HOST: nightrain: How long did it take you to write the book ?
RICKEY V: On writing the book…It took about two years to write the concepts out and finish the thesis. Another year was spent on interviews, clearing lyrics and getting photos… There was also a year spent trying to sell the manuscript. Don’t try this at home…. There were ideas for the book that went back to music classes, old radio interviews, and funky jam sessions with maggots I knew…
EVENT HOST: Funkoverlord: ok, how about the influence of Black Broadcasters on non-commercial radio.
RICKEY V: That’s like saying “how about the influence of teachers in segretated schools in the 50’s? It’s nice, but it’s a crime that they’re on the margins. We need our own power station!
EVENT HOST: Jonjazzy: Non Commercial in black radio is a thing of the Past.
EVENT HOST: Whew….
EVENT HOST: …that was quite an answer !!!
EVENT HOST: Anothere infomercial…
EVENT HOST: The Urban Sounds BB does exist, and you can reach it by jumping: Urban Sounds BB.
EVENT HOST: We have Funk Music Chats every Mon & Thus at 11pm
EVENT HOST: Jump Urban Sounds BB, Jump Urban Sounds BB, Jump Urban Sounds BB, Jump Urban Sounds BB, Jump Urban Sounds BB, Jump Urban Sounds BB, Jump Urban Sounds BB,
FUNKOVERLORD: web page, http://pages.prodigy.com/funk/ great Black Music Ancient to The Future
TT4U: Jump: Urban Music Group, Jump: Urban Music Group, Jump: Urban Music Group, Jump: Urban Music Group, Jump: Urban Music Group, Jump: Urban Music Group, Jump: Urban Music Group,
RICKEY V: Dont forget http://nzone.com/funklore My book’s web page that my brother Teo put together…
EVENT HOST: I think there are FAR too many plugs going on here…..LOL
EVENT HOST: Black Hole: Prime zone of Funkativity, nappy dogout, home to Star Child. Celestial body which suckulates the unfunky deep into its chocolaty centre.
RICKEY V: Do Yal wanna get into some dripological metaphoolishness? I will get sloppy on ya….
EVENT HOST: LOL….stick to the questions Rickey
EVENT HOST: Muthaplucka !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EVENT HOST: Funky Moon: What do you think makes the Bay Area music scene different?
RICKEY V: The Bay Area: We are on the edge of the world… every night the sun goes over the ocean and we are what’s left…. Also on the Bay Area: There is an open tolerance of cultures, and musicians have thrived on that.. Oakland had deep urban roots like Chicago, so a strong bluesy backbone holds it up.
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CappedHarlem: look out for tha nightrain
EVENT HOST: Jonjazzy: Was Stax Records was a big influecne in RickeyÂ’s musical up bringing?
RICKEY V: Was Stax a part of my upbringing? I grew up on funky soul of the early 70’s: Main Ingredient, Chi LItes, Kool & the Gang, Bar-Kays, Ohio Players, Marvin, etc. I heard of Stax through… …I heard of Stax through the Wattstax show in 1972, and later on through my dad, and collecting the jams…
EVENT HOST: Jammallis: now wait….i dont know about where you live, but in order to make the black community more productive, …. you have to support it of which, you dont seem to be doing it by downing it
RICKEY V: no
RICKEY V: What am I ‘downing”?
RICKEY V: toss me another question, or explain the last one..
EVENT HOST: Jammallis: you stated before that there was no black radio stations, broadcast station, and other things, but what are you doing about it…?…and we do have a couple in atlanta? ..and the pathetic state of the black community……what are you doing to change it?
RICKEY V: I’m on the radio slugging away for free every day! I’m writing books for free (at this rate!) I’m teaching a class on the History of Funk at SF state next semester so I’m working 4da Funk. RU
EVENT HOST: good answer
EVENT HOST: Jammallis: if you are doing all of that, then why are you still downing it by calling it pathetic and having doubts instead of trying to boost it up?…you do one thing and say another….
RICKEY V: I’m also trying to syndicate my radio show you the rest of you mugs can get it…
EVENT HOST: You will let us know when that happens ?
EVENT HOST: Jonjazzy: Do you really think funk is getting it’s just due as a music form
RICKEY V: Funk is perpetually underground for a variety of reasons. But I want do address Jammallis. There is no contradiction by saying that the scene is crap, but you’re working in it also… I think there could be so much more that black radio could be doing, that the first thing we must do is pull off the blinders and see what’s really happening to our culture…
EVENT HOST: Jonjazzy:True Dat Man!!
EVENT HOST: Jammallis: so in other words your working in crap?….and you are happy with this?
RICKEY V: No I’m not happy about it. Why is my book on Funk the ONLY one out there? 20 years LATE! Where are the writers, commentators, leaders, etc…
RICKEY V: funk is very stinky. go ask Sly
EVENT HOST: LOL…..Rickey !!!
RICKEY V: If people only worked on things when they were cool or in good shape, nothing strong would surface. Someone has to do dirty work that gives the community a foundation…
EVENT HOST: EbonyLyte:: How do you envision FUNK in the future?
RICKEY V: I think The Funk will become what jazz was to our parents. It is the signature of our culture, and since the Black Power era of the late 60’s, the funk vibe has been the beat of the streets
EVENT HOST: Newsie: Maybe this has been discussed…but why hasn’t Funk been given any attention before this book?
RICKEY V: Funk has it’s tentacles everywhere, one of the les mccann questions proved that. But funk is a social phenomenon as much as a musical one, and … to acknowledge the power of funk meanss to praise urban blacks for their awesome rhythmic vibe.. Now that hip hop has done the same thing, we can accept The Funk as well… I think it took the global hip hop revolution to show that funk has taken over the world as well. But the greatest funkers are societys outcasts, .. and so on and so on and scooby dooby do
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EVENT HOST: Jonjazzy:Have whites have Gained on Funk Artist’s Sweat and hard work?
RICKEY V: Funk and whites: others have profitted financially, others have learned artistically, and everyone has developed sexually as a result of The Funk. So where do you start….
EVENT HOST: Jonjazzy: In the Big record label Board rooms that where.
EVENT HOST: NewSBoogie: How did Eddie Hazel die???
RICKEY V: Eddie Hazel simply died. I hear eupemistically put things like “black stress”, and “musicians disease” Really a worn body and drug intake, but I’m not up on precise details.
Jonjazzy: Did Eddie do some time in the Pen?
EVENT HOST: I have a question for Rickey…
EVENT HOST: …we are beyond the original 1 hour…
EVENT HOST: how long can you hang with us for ?
RICKEY V: I can go another 15 minutes, if that’s cool…
EVENT HOST: I think it would be cool !!
EVENT HOST: now….
EVENT HOST: ….room…..
EVENT HOST: ask your questions directly to Rickey… ……..To be Continued next week
EVENT HOST: Yo G….whatcha think so far bro ?
G CHILD1:Pretty cool me……. you were right……this brotha is “on the ONE”, I really learned something here tonight.
EVENT HOST: Stay tuned G there is more to come !!!
“CLICK HERE” for part two entitled…..”The Rickey Vincent Discussion”.
Peace – Bob Davis
