Billy Bass Nelson

William "Billy Bass" Nelson (born 1951) is a U.S. musician. who was the original bassist for the P Funk band.

Related Topics:
1951 - U.S. - Bassist - P Funk

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Billy was born in Plainfield, New Jersey and worked at George Clinton's barbershop, sweeping the floor and singing and dancing for the customers. Clinton, Nelson and some friends soon formed a doo wop barbershop quintet called The Parliaments. Nelson joined late because was in jail in Brooklyn, New York for joyriding. He was originally the guitarist, only later switching to bass when Eddie Hazel was recruited to replace him.

Related Topics:
Plainfield, New Jersey - George Clinton - Doo wop - Barbershop quintet - The Parliaments - Brooklyn, New York - Joyriding - Eddie Hazel

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Due to legal problems, The Parliaments alternated between the names Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s. Nelson invented the name "Funkadelic" to reflect the style (funk) and connect it with the then burgeoning psychedelic music scene.

Related Topics:
Parliament - Funkadelic - Funk - Psychedelic

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Billy Bass Nelson left the group in 1971 after a financial squabble with George Clinton. He later played with The Commodores, Chairman of the Board, Fishbone, Jermaine Jackson, Parlet, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and Lenny Williams. He also rejoined Funkadelic to record the bassline on "Better By the Pound" (Funkadelic, Let's Take It To The Stage, 1975).

Related Topics:
1971 - The Commodores - Chairman of the Board - Fishbone - Jermaine Jackson - Parlet - Lionel Richie - Smokey Robinson - The Temptations - Lenny Williams - Better By the Pound - Let's Take It To The Stage - 1975

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In 1994, Nelson had enjoyed a surge of name-checking by such legendary bassists as Norwood Fisher (of Fishbone) and Flea (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) and he rejoined P Funk, releasing Out of the Dark with many old Funksters under the name O.G. Funk.

Related Topics:
1994 - Norwood Fisher - Fishbone - Flea - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Out of the Dark - O.G. Funk

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