Parliament Biography

Parliament is an American, Motown-inspired funk group who was successful mostly during the 70s. It is just one of George Clinton’s multiple projects, which also included Funkadelic.

Early Formation

George Clinton was getting passionate about doo-wop as it was starting to become more and more popular. He started the formation of Parliament in 1955 with Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins, Grady Thomas, Raymond Davis, and Calvin Simon. The group issued only two singles in the next 10 years. But it was during the 60s that the band became more financially stable due to the songwriter and producer jobs Clinton found in Detroit.

Career Beginnings

After some record label problems, George decided to give a new name to the band, Funkadelic. Parliament acted as the backing band now, with new additions from guitarist Eddie Hazel, bassist Billy Nelson, rhythm guitarist Lucius ‘Tawl’ Ross, drummer Ramon ‘Tiki’ Fulwood, and organist Mickey Atkins.

Parliament-Funkadelic

Clinton placed the band as a funk-rock band with five touring musicians and the other five Parliaments singers as uncredited guests. He did so in order to maintain the original line-up secured. A New Day Begins was an older single which became a number 44 hit. After securing the Parliaments name, the collective was finally able to release the debut album Osmium. The Breakdown, another single peaked at number 30 on the R&B charts in 1971. However, due to label issues and Funkadelic’s success, Clinton dropped the name again. Once the addition of musician and keyboard player Bernie Worrell was done, the band’s sound went through some major changes that ended in their trademark P-Funk sound. Other members included were singer/guitarist Garry Shider and bassist Bootsy Collins among many other contributions.

Re-launch and Success

Clinton re-launched the band as the Parliament once again and released the album Up for the Down Stroke in 1974 followed by Chocolate City in 1975. The band scored a few successful singles but the commercial breakthrough arrived with the concept album Mothership Connection. It reached number 13 on the pop chart, was certified platinum and spawned hits like P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up), Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk) and Star Child. The Clones of Doctor Funkenstein was released immediately after and reached gold status. The 1976 album Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome brought the Parliament the first number 1 hit Flash Light. The album was the group’s second platinum certified LP. The single, Aqua Boogie was another number 1 hit from the 1978 LP Motor-Booty Affair.  Gloryhallastoopid (Or Pin the Tale on the Funky) did not receive the same love but was successful nonetheless.

Setbacks

As the 80s were approaching the collective and Clinton were beginning to be affected by legal issues once again. 1955 members like Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, and Grady Thomas left the band due to George’s management. Singer/guitarist Glenn Goins and drummer Jerome Brailey left next in 1978 due to the same reasons. As a result, the next two albums Gloryhallastoopid and Trombipulationdid did not enjoy the same success as its predecessors. The record label was going through its own issues so Clinton dissolved the Parliament-Funkadelic entity. Only a few musicians remained and Clinton, who continued to make music, tour and perform under the name George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars.

Photo credit: iHeartRadio