There have been many great funk guitarists throughout the history of music. Here are five funk guitarists that have made a significant impact on the genre:
- Nile Rodgers: Nile Rodgers is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer who is known for his work with the band Chic and as a session musician for a variety of artists. He is known for his funky, groove-oriented guitar playing and his use of effects such as wah-wah and distortion.
- Eddie Hazel: Eddie Hazel was the guitarist for Parliament-Funkadelic, and is known for his incendiary guitar playing and his use of effects such as wah-wah and feedback. Hazel’s playing was characterized by its raw energy and intensity, and he is considered one of the pioneers of funk guitar.
- Larry Graham: Larry Graham is a bassist and guitarist who is known for his work with Sly and the Family Stone and as a solo artist. Graham is known for his innovative playing style, which involves playing both the bass and guitar lines with a percussive, rhythmic approach.
- Bootsy Collins: Bootsy Collins is a bassist, guitarist, and vocalist who is known for his work with Parliament-Funkadelic and as a solo artist. Collins is known for his funky, groove-oriented playing style and his use of effects such as wah-wah and distortion.
- Prince: Prince was a multi-instrumentalist who was known for his guitar playing, as well as his singing and songwriting. He was a pioneer of the Minneapolis sound, which combined elements of funk, rock, and R&B. Prince was known for his virtuosity on the guitar, and was able to incorporate a wide range of techniques and styles into his playing.
top 20 Funk guitar tracks
Here is a list of 20 classic funk guitar tracks and the artists who played them, along with the year they were released:
- “Give Up the Funk” – Parliament (1976)
- “Superstition” – Stevie Wonder (1972)
- “I Want to Take You Higher” – Sly and the Family Stone (1969)
- “Knee Deep” – Funkadelic (1979)
- “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” – The Temptations (1972)
- “Express Yourself” – Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (1970)
- “Cold Sweat” – James Brown (1967)
- “Pick Up the Pieces” – Average White Band (1974)
- “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” – McFadden & Whitehead (1979)
- “One Nation Under a Groove” – Funkadelic (1978)
- “I’ll Be Good to You” – The Brothers Johnson (1976)
- “Thin Line Between Love and Hate” – The Persuaders (1971)
- “Atomic Dog” – George Clinton (1982)
- “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” – James Brown (1970)
- “The Payback” – James Brown (1973)
- “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” – The Beatles (1969)
- “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye (1971)
- “The Thrill Is Gone” – B.B. King (1969)
- “Get Down On It” – Kool & The Gang (1981)
- “I Want to Get Next to You” – Rose Royce (1976)
