Funkadelic classified as one of the 100 greatest rock bands of all time

When most people hear the name of Funkadelic they think R&B, Soul, and Funk music. I can recall as a teenager arguing with my cousins that Parliament and Funkadelic were two separate groups with different people in each one. It was years later when I realized that the two bands were comprised of many of the same people and headed by the same leader. Funkladelic had less commercial success than Parliament but this versatile music group is considered as one of the 100 greatest rock bands of all time. This is because their music falls under the category of black rock. They made the list coming in at number 86 thanks to their biggest hit single and album by the same name, One a Nation Under A Groove.

This album has appeared on numerous lists including Vibe Magazines 100 most influential albums of the 20th century, and on the list of 1001 albums, you should listen to before you die. In 2003, One Nation Under a Groove was ranked 177 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It retained that rating in a revised list in 2012. It has also been sampled by various rap and hip hop artists. The name Funkadelic is very telling in itself, indicating Psychadelic Funk.

One Nation Under a Groove is considered by some to be the greatest funk album of all time. Many call George Clinton, the mastermind behind the music a genius because he managed two separate musical groups with different distinctive sounds that were comprised of many of the same artists. Parliament is known for hits like Mothership Connection, Tear the roof off the sucker, Flashlight and other recordings that are more R&B based. Funkadelic, however, relied heavily on guitar riffs and came across as closer to being funk/rock and roll.

Funkadelic was formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1968 and remained active until 1982. Funkadelic had more of a heavier, psychedelic rock-oriented sound, that Parliament. They released acclaimed albums such as Maggot Brain (1971) Cosmic Slop (1973A) and One Nation Under a Groove (1978). Bernie Worrell was officially credited for Funkadelic's second album, 1970's Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow. This led to a working relationship with George Clinton that lasted for many years. Although these albums did not receive great commercial success, they influenced other bands for years to come.

One Nation Under a Groove was tenth studio album by Funkadelic and was released on Warner Brothers Records September 22, 1978. It was the group's most commercially successful album as well as the most critically lauded. This was also the first album to include Walter "Junie" Morrison as a keyboardist. Morrison was also a frequent songwriter. The single reached number twenty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100 singles. It went all the way to number one on the Billboard Soul chart and remained there for six weeks. This was the longest of any number one single that was released in 1978. The song also was number thirty-one on the Billboard Club Play Singles chart.

The following are Billboard results for 9 additional other Funkadelic records.

1. (Not Just) Knee Deep - Part 1 , #1 on 10.13.1979

2. Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On , #27 on 9.14.1974

3. Undisco Kidd , #30 on 11.6.1976

4. Connections And Disconnections , #68 on 3.28.1981

5. Comin' Round The Mountain #54 on 3.5.1977

6. Uncle Jam (Part I) #53 on 1.12.1980

7. Red Hot Momma, #73 on 4.26.1975

8. Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll!) , #43 on 3.3.1979

9. I Got A Thing, You Got A Thing, Everybody's Got A Thing , #30 on 4.25.1970