Funk flags are raised high today in memory of Bernie Worrell, the funk pioneer and legend who passed today at the age of 72 after a long bout with terminal cancer. Worrell, a childhood prodigy who was allegedly interpreting Mozart at an unspeakably young age, was a founding member of Funkadelic along with fellow luminary, George Clinton. He contributed to virtually every record, in any incarnation, including the seemingly countless P-Funk offshoot groups like The Brides Of Funkenstein, The Parlets, Roger Troutman, Fuzzy Haskins as well as playing an integral role in crafting the indelible hooks and infectious arrangements of some of P-Funk’s most timeless anthems.

His solo debut, All The Woo In The World, is one of the late ’70s most profound, yet highly-unsung masterpieces. As a key player, he was certainly of the revolutionary sort, amplifying Parliament-Funkadelic’s hallmark bounce to truly interplanetary levels of funksmanship, subsequently having been sampled more times than the camp would likely admit (still owed seismic sums from botched sampling clearances.) It goes without saying that our hearts are with the Worrell family and wish them only peace in this somber time, as we remember and celebrate the life of a true master and innovator. A musical mind consistently ahead of his time, Worrell’s pivotal role in the evolution of music has been praised by those in the know, but no praise could quite live up to his genius. We choose to believe that Bernie has been beamed up to The Mothership and is currently headed to his Home Planet. Rest In Power, Bernie. You will surely be missed.

If you’d like to help contribute or donate to Bernie Worrell’s family, you can do so by following the link below.

>>>Donate to Bernie Worrell’s family (via YouCaring)