After twelve years and ten studio albums, The Meters disbanded in 1979 due to business problems.
The Meters have maintained an avid following of fans and other artists, and their music has been sampled by musicians around the world, including rap artists Heavy D, LL Cool J, and Queen Latifah. The Red Hot Chili Peppers pay homage to them in one of their hit songs, and bands such as the Grateful Dead, KVHW, Steve Kimock Band, Widespread Panic, Rebirth Brass Band and String Cheese Incident often played their music.
Musically, the next decade took the band members in different directions. Art Neville and Cyril Neville pioneered the internationally successful Neville Brothers, while Zigaboo Modeliste drummed for Keith Richards and Ron Wood on the New Barbarians Tour. George Porter, Jr. founded his first band, Joy Ride, and in 1990 recorded his first solo CD Runnin' Pardners for Rounder Records. George worked in the studio and toured with David Byrne, recorded with Robbie Robertson, and played on Harry Connick Jr.'s first funk/soul CD "She". In addition, George performed on three back-to-back Platinum CD's with Tori Amos. He has also released four CD's with his own with Runnin' Pardners.
The Meters reformed after an informal jam during the 1989 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. They were so pleased with their sound that they decided to regroup, but with a few changes. Joseph (Zigaboo) Modeliste was replaced by David Russell Batiste, Jr. on drums, a young, energetic drummer with his own distinct sound. Russell has recorded with Allan Toussaint, Robbie Robertson, Harry Connick, Jr.; performed on the last two Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians' CD's and two unlicensed CD's of The Funky Meters featuring the JB Horns, recorded live in Switzerland (without Art Neville); and played on two CD's with Porter's band Runnin' Pardners.
Also, with the departure of Leo Nocentelli in 1994, the Funky METERS welcomed old friend Brian Stoltz into the fold as guitarist. Stoltz, for close to a decade, was the guitarist for The Neville Brothers during the 80's. The 90's brought Brian to play and record with artists Bob Dylan, Edie Brickell, Dr. John and Linda Ronstadt, to name a few. Stoltz says "To be home playing with old friends and playing the music I always thought was the best thing to ever come out of New Orleans is for me the most exciting experience of all".
After the change in personnel came the change in name. In 1994, they were officially christened funky METERS. The band thought it only logical to put "funky" next to the word it best defines - Meters! The spirit and energy of the group is at its highest peak since the mid-seventies, and the enthusiasm of the fans continues to grow stronger with each performance.
As you know Ya'll, I really dig the Groove you bring to this Groove Train, it's about dat Funky, Greasy Nawlins sound and on Friday the 13th, I will be throwing down some of the Best jams out of Louisiana on KVNF with Gumbo YaYa at 9:30am MST...The Boogie Woogie is Great and the Groove is Deep, throw on some Ballerina Shoes,burn some candles, light the Incense and be ready for a Friday Morning Party that will jump start the weekend!!..kvnf. org is the place to be at 9;30am MST for some of the Best Hot Sauce Gumbo youll find anywhere on this Rock we Ride..Do yourself a favor and call someone you Love and let them know they to can enjoy a Great Friday Morning...Hell, let them know about this site and they cam Jump this Groove Train...but, you have to make that call. There will be a Surprise Interview around 11:10am MST and its gonna be very Casual!! GumboYaYa kvnf. org Home Grown Community Radio at its Best 9:30am MST Tune In and Turn It Up!
LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING In Memory of an Anniversary of the Last Day of Dr. Martin Luther King ********************************** Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet, Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered; Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee. Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee. Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land. Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won. (For MORE of this beautiful anthem)CUT&PASTE : http://www. ez-tracks. com/mySpace-code-643. html &wait... maybe push "go" or "play" key... Mitakuye Oyasin (ALL My Relations) LOVE, PEACE Sally
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