Q:

What is Lynn Mabry up to these days and why did she leave the Brides?

Thanks, --Sean Booth

A:

Lynn Mabry (top,right) left the Brides of Funkenstein/Parliament-Funkadelic in 1979 due to financial disputes with the group, and also because she became pregnant with the child of her then-boyfriend and P-Funk tour musical director and keyboardist Junie Morrison. She returned briefly in 1981 when "The Brides" performed in Japan as a new wave act.

Since then, Lynn has become an in-demand session vocalist who has performed with Bette Midler, Michael Bolton, Chris Isaak, Kansas, and Rita Coolidge. During Magic Johnson's short-lived "Magic" talk show, she was a vocalist in the show's house band, which was led by Sheila E. And even though the "Magic" show is long gone, Lynn is still working with Sheila's crew.

Lynn is featured in the Talking Heads' film Stop Making Sense, and if you've seen her appearance as a winning contestant on The Price is Right game show, consider youself lucky!

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Q:

"I know that Carlos McMurray is "Sir Nose" now [during live P-Funk All-Star shows], but who played "'ole smellavision" back in the late 70s and early 80s? --A Funkaholic

A:

The fictional character of Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk was played during the old Mothership days by Larry Heckstall. He's shown above in a picture shot by Diem Jones in 1978. But his role wasn't just to dance and be shot by the Bop Gun during P-Funk concerts. He also provided background vocals on albums such as Uncle Jam Wants You by Funkadelic (1979).

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Q:

"How many albums did the Sterling Silver Starship band make?"
--Freddy-J

A:

The proposed P-Funk offshoot group Sterling Silver Starship band made absolutely no albums, even though they were highly touted by the P-Funk army on album liner notes in the late 70s and early 80s.

Sterling Silver Starship was a project of Parlet bassist Donnie Sterling. His then-wife and member of Parlet, Mallia Franklin, left the group in 1979 to join him in forming Sterling Silver Starship. The project never got off the groud, though, and Sterling Later became a member of Kiddo while Mallia continued to do studio work with P-Funk and Zapp.

Both Mallia and Donnie are shown here in a pic from 1978.

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Q:

"Hey, One Nation, I love the webpage. It's the ... Thang I've been waiting for. Now for the question. Does a 20-minute studio version of "One Nation Under a Groove" [by Funkadelic] exist?"
--Steve Marshall

A:

No, a 20-minute studio version of "One Nation Under a Groove" does not exist. However, an 11 minute and 26 second extended version of the song does exist. (Original version clocks in at 7:28.)

The extended mix was originally released in 1978 only as a Warner Bros. promotional 12" single, and it features extra elements not found on the original. But the special thing about this 12" is its B-side, a 5 minute and 48 second instrumental version which features the brilliant, searing guitar soloing of Michael "Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton.

Search your local used vinyl shop for this rare, coveted Funkadelic piece.

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