Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins, an unique member of Parliament-Funkadelic, has died. He was 81.
P-Funk frontman/producer George Clinton introduced the singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s demise by means of social media on Friday (March 17). A reason behind demise was not supplied.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of an original Parliament Funkadelic member Clarence Eugene ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins (born June 8, 1941-March 17th, 2023),” Clinton wrote on Instagram alongside images of Haskins. He added in a Facebook put up, “Give up the Fuzz, Fly on.”
Former Parliament-Funkadelic member Bootsy Collins additionally paid tribute to his former bandmate on Twitter.
“Prayer’s going out to Clarence ‘Fuzzys’ Haskins family & friends. We lost his frequency today 3-17- 23,” Collins wrote on Friday. “He was an original Parliament/Funkadelic inducted in the RHOF. We will miss u my friend, bandmate & Soul brother! Thx u for ur guidance in my pup year’s. Bootsy baby!!”
Born in 1941 in West Virginia, Haskins was a member of the Gel-Airs earlier than becoming a member of group initially referred to as the Parliaments, first fashioned within the Sixties as a doo-wop quintet with Clinton, Calvin Simon, Grady Thomas and Ray Davis. The group that later grew to become referred to as Parliament-Funkadelic.
Haskins is credited for his contributions to P-Funk tracks like “I Got a Thing” and “I Wanna Know If It’s Good to You,” in line with a put up about Haskins on Clinton’s website.
“He was a good drummer as well, as he proved on ‘Can You Get to That,’ which he also co-wrote,” Clinton’s web site says. “Some of Fuzzy’s best vocals appeared on Funkadelic’s 1972 LP America Eats Its Young, most notably on ‘Ms Lucifers Love.’ But singing wasn’t the only thing that Fuzzy brought to P-Funk. He was known, during live P-Funk shows, to don skin-tight bodysuits and gyrate against the microphone pole as he whipped the crowd into a frenzy, especially when they performed ‘Standing on the Verge of Getting it On.’”
Haskins remained a full-time member of P-Funk by means of the late Nineteen Seventies. He launched his first solo album, A Whole Nother Thang, in 1976 by means of Westbound Records. The set featured collaborations with Bernie Worrell, Donald Austin and Collins. Haskins dropped his second solo album, Radio Active, in 1978.
Haskins briefly rejoined Parliament-Funkadelic for the group’s P-Funk Live Earth Tour in 1977 earlier than leaving the group once more for good. “By this time, he claimed he was through with singing all the ole dirty songs and began studying the Lord’s Word,” Clinton’s web site says.
In 1981, Haskins joined former P-Funk members Simon, Davis and Thomas to launch the Connections & Disconnections album underneath the Funkadelic title, which prompted a lawsuit by Clinton. In his later years, Haskins grew to become a preacher and recorded gospel music.
Along with different members of Parliament-Funkadelic, Haskins was inducted by Prince into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
“Funk is a force that tore the roof off the sucker that is modern music,” Prince stated of their Rock Hall introduction.
Clinton and the opposite members of Parliament-Funkadelic acquired a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2019.