George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic performing at the Aragon in Chicago on May 31, 2019
There was a whole lot of rhythm going down at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom on Friday, May 31 as George Clinton – AKA Dr. Funkenstein, AKA the Prime Minister of Funk – led Parliament Funkadelic in a celebration of psychedelic sci-fi fueled funk.
The stop – part of Clinton’s Farewell Tour – found fans with a glide in their stride, ready to turn this mother out in honor of the funk-pioneer’s fifty year career. Miss Velvet and the Blue Wolf, Fishbone and Galactic warmed up the stage with grooves of their own before Clinton performed with P-Funk for what was billed as the final time in Chicago.
Before Clinton took the stage – flanked by a humongous entourage of musicians, vocalists and dancers – longtime Parliament-Funkadelic guitarist DeWayne Blackbyrd McKnight ushered in the party to end all parties with a jazz-funk solo affirming that he is indeed a rock god.
“Are you ready to party tonight,” asked Clinton at the top of the show. “Are you ready to tear the roof off tonight? We are one nation, all of us.”
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic performing at the Aragon in Chicago on May 31, 2019
“Get Off Your Ass and Jam” kicked off the hit-filled setlist, giving McKnight a chance to further melt some faces, while Clinton goaded the crowd to cheer louder and dance with abandon. “Pole Power” and “I Call My Baby Pussycat” soon followed, though minor microphone malfunctions made it difficult to hear the vocals. The band’s incomparable jams more than made up for the passing sound issue.
“One Nation Under a Groove,” “(Not Just) Knee Deep” and “Flashlight” – complete with an appearance by everyone’s favorite party pooper Sir Nose D’Voidoffunk – further celebrated Clinton’s boundary pushing career.
Clinton’s funk legacy is unmatched and his reach is experienced well beyond genre or era, creating one of the most diverse fan bases to ever gather in one venue. Hip-hop legends including Snoop Dogg, De La Soul and more have all been influenced by the voice of the one and only “Atomic Dog” and the next generation of artists like Kendrick Lamar and Thundercat promise that funk fundamentals will be enjoyed and appreciated for years to come.
We can all find inspiration in the joy of funk. No matter how dark a day may seem, hope and radiance are only a record away. After all, “Everybody’s got a little light under the sun.”
Check out photos from the Chicago performance of George Clinton’s Farewell Tour with P-Funk below and head over to GeorgeClinton.com to pick-up tickets to his remaining tour dates.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
