Musical News - Walter "Junie" Morrison of Ohio Players and Parliament-Funkadelic

Producer, writer, keyboardist, and vocalist Walter “Junie” Morrison, part of the funk band Ohio Players in the early 1970s, was reported dead in February 2017 (exact date of death undetermined) at the age of 62. He began by playing piano in church in Dayton, OH at the age of 5.

Junie was a part of the Ohio Players, beginning when he graduated from high school, and was instrumental in putting together the Ohio Players albums Pain (1972), Pleasure (1972), and Ecstasy (1973). He primarily wrote and arranged the 1973 gold certified smash hit, Funky Worm.

In 1974, Junie left the Ohio Players to pursue solo projects.

In 1977, Junie joined P-Funk as musical director, where he made important contributions to the album One Nation Under a Groove, and especially to the single (Not Just) Knee Deep (1979). Junie produced some P-Funk material under the pseudonym J.S. Theracon. He produced other artists and contributed to P-Funk albums through the 1990s. As a part of Parliament-Funkadelic, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
 

In 1980, Junie revived his solo career.

In 2016, Solange Knowles released a song entitled Junie (inspired by Junie Morrison), on her Grammy award winning album A Seat at the Table.
 

Walter “Junie” Morrison [1954 — 2017]
© 02/18/2017

Musical News - Al Jarreau

Soulful singer Alwin Lopez Jarreau has passed away today (February 12 2017) at the age of 76. Mr. Jarreau had been hospitalized recently and declared that he was retiring from the road, due to exhaustion. His cause of death is yet undetermined.

Mr. Jarreau was born on March 12, 1940 in Milwaukee, WI. He came from a musical family, and they performed together when he was a child. He went on to earn a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation and work a regular job, while singing nights with a band led by George Duke. He made music his primary career in 1968.

Al won seven Grammy Awards during his 50-year-plus career, in the categories of jazz, pop, and R&B. He was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2001.

Al's most popular album was Breakin' Away (1981) which contained the single of that name, as well as We're in This Love Together. He also wrote and performed the title song Moonlighting for the 1980s television show. His vocals were included in several popular movies.

What I remember most about Al Jarreau is that my good friend from junior high school is crazy about him. Every time I hear his voice, I think of her. Just to be loved by you....
 

Al Jarreau [1940 – 2017]
© 02/12/2017