Tear the Roof Off the Sucker Tonight on PBS with PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC: One Nation Under a Groove - Page 2

At PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC shows, this mythology was realized in highly theatrical stage shows, which Clinton called "funk operas." They featured elaborate and outlandish costumes and the landing of a space ship onstage --the Mothership — from which Clinton would emerge as Dr. Funkenstein, dressed in full pimp-from-outer-space regalia.

Parliament and Funkadelic formally disbanded in the early-'80s, but George Clinton's successful "solo" career ("Atomic Dog") provided the impetus behind an ongoing series of reunions and tours under the P-Funk banner which, after pausing slightly for inducton into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, continues to this day.

In an attempt to create a film reflecting the P-Funk holistic thang, filmmaker Yvonne Smith used animation to create the special sequences and virtual environments. Inspired by a P-Funk lyric, she created the "Afronaut," a cartoon character from outer space who descends to earth from a new millennium version of the Mothership and serves as the film's host and narrator. The Afronaut’s voice is provided by comic and actor Eddie Griffin.

The film includes interviews with the original Parliaments — the late Ray Davis, Calvin Simon, Grady Thomas and Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins — which take place in a "virtual barber shop," reminiscent of the group’s early years in the '50s and '60s doing hair and singing doo-wop in a New Jersey hair salon run by George Clinton. The barbershop and the various environments in which George Clinton appears, were created in digital animation. In addition to the Parliaments, the film also features original interviews with George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Garry Shider, Dawn Silva (a Bride of Funkenstein), and other key P-Funk band members and staff.

Other musicians interviewed include Rick James, Ice Cube, Flea and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, De La Soul, Shock G (“Humpty Hump” of the Digital Underground) and Nona Hendryx of LaBelle.

All that is left to say is, "Free your mind, your ass will follow."

Article Author: Eric Olsen

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