Get Ready, Savannah! George Porter Jr. is Bringing the Funk!
Hey there, Savannah! Are you ready to get your groove on? There’s a musical legend coming to town who’s set to make your evening unforgettable! George Porter Jr., the acclaimed bassist and vocalist from the legendary funk band The Meters, will be rocking out with his band, Runnin’ Pardners, at Victory North on November 21. And they’re not coming alone! Get set for an amazing opening act featuring the talented bluesman Jontavius Willis!
Funky Roots of a Legend
George Porter Jr. isn’t just any musician; he’s a pioneer of funk music! With roots stretching back to the swinging ’60s and ’70s in New Orleans, Porter and The Meters played a huge role in shaping a sound that resonates to this day. When asked about the birth of funk, he chuckled and said, “I’ve always told the story that funk music came around when some kid woke up one morning with a joint in his hand, and there’s music going on a jukebox, and he wakes up and goes, ‘Oh man, that’s FUNKY!’”
Can’t you just picture it? Well, back in 1965, Porter teamed up with Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli, and Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste to form The Meters, and the rest is funky history!
The Impact of Funk
These guys didn’t just stick to their style; they became the go-to house band for the legendary producer Allen Toussaint. They backed up hit-makers like Lee Dorsey, Dr. John, and Paul McCartney. Who could forget the iconic song “Lady Marmalade” with Patti LaBelle?! On their own, The Meters put out funk anthems like “Cissy Strut” that you can still hear grooving today.
Even after The Meters disbanded in 1977, Porter’s music didn’t stop resonating. He became an in-demand session player, (which just means he played on a ton of other artists’ songs) and rocked with stars like Tori Amos, Jimmy Buffet, and even members of the Grateful Dead!
Funk’s Legacy: Sampled and Celebrated
Funk isn’t just an old-school sound; its influence stretches into hip hop, too! Porter shared that The Meters’ beats have been sampled by countless hip hop artists such as A Tribe Called Quest and Run-D.M.C. But here’s the kicker: he has a bit of a beef about the lack of credit for the original creators, saying, “To my knowledge, we have about 170 samples out there of our music. The only people that ever sent us a check for using our stuff were The Red Hot Chili Peppers.” Can you imagine? What a wild ride!
The Journey Continues
Fast forward to today, and Porter is still going strong! He formed Runnin’ Pardners in 1990, and this band has been through various lineup changes, but now they’re better than ever! With a lineup including longtime members Michael Lemmler and Terrance Houston, the group just wrapped up recording 50 new songs. Expect some funky tunes and soul-stirring rhythms when they take the stage!
Porter doesn’t just live in the past – he keeps pushing boundaries and generating new excitement within the music community. He even mentioned that the legacy of The Meters continues through his current band with previously unheard songs that audiences are going to flip over!
A Night You Won’t Forget
This legendary evening is set to begin at 8 p.m. at Victory North, so don’t be late! With the ticket prices ranging from $31 to $41, it’s going to be a night filled with good vibes and funky rhythms. Who knows? You might even find yourself inspired to dance all night long! Get your friends together, grab your tickets, and prepare to jam out!
So mark your calendars, warm up those hips, and get ready for a night under the funk-filled stars! See you there, Savannah!
