Anthology

“Maceo! I want you to BLOW!”

Parker got his start in 1964. He and his brother, Melvin, were in college in North Carolina studying music when they joined James Brown’s band. Originally, Brown only wanted Melvin Parker for his skills on drums, but Melvin and Maceo were a package deal. What started off as a one shot deal quickly turned into one of the greatest pairings in funk history. Over the next two decades, Maceo Parker defined the sound of James Brown’s music.

In 1970, Maceo left James Brown (returning throughout the years) to form Maceo and All The Kings Men. The two albums from the band are still reissued more than 30 years later.

Parker joined up with Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, and the various incarnations of the Funkadelic and Parliament throughout the mid 1970’s. Maceo maintained a heavy touring schedule as well as various side projects throughout this time.

In 1990, Parker got the opportunity to focus on his solo projects. He released two successful solo records (Roots Revisited and Mo’ Roots) prior to his ground breaking third, Planet Groove. Recorded live in 1992, Planet Groove quickly became a funk fan favorite. Since then, he has gone onto to record several additional solo releases, and has been a guest artist on albums by Ani DiFranco, Prince, and James Taylor.

Through it all, Maceo Parker maintains a full touring schedule, as his love affair with performing has only grown with time.