The Motown session band last appeared in London in 1965 as the Earl Van Dyke Six. It's taken nearly 40 years for them to return as the Funk Brothers, a 16 piece band in a concert at the Royal Festival Hall, London on Friday 30 January 2004. They appeared with guests Billy Preston & Steve Winwood.

 

back row left to right mike terry, james jamerson ,jack ashford, front row l to r hank cosby, robert white, earl van dyke, uriel jones

The current Funk Brothers are in 2004:

Bob Babbitt - Bass
Eddie Willis - Guitar
Jack Ashford - Vibes/Percussion/Compare
Joe Hunter - Piano/B3 organ
Joe Messina - Guitar
Uriel Jones - Drums

Sadly, Joe Hunter died 3rd Febuary 2007, he was 79 years old. Also Uriel Jones passed away on 24th March 2009 he was 75 years old. Bob Babbitt passed away on 16th July, 2012 he was 74 years old.

See all original members

 

Standing In The Shadows Of Motown

If you were there you witnessed the magic of Motown and saw some of the fine musicians that played on so many of the hit records produced by Motown Records, 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit USA.

Guardian 5 star concert review

The first time the musicans were credited on any Motown recording, was on the back of the album What's Going On the masterpiece by Marvin Gaye in 1971.

 

See them in this DVD

Play List

Other vocals included Carla Benson & Johnny Ingram. Billy Preston appeared in place of the billed Issac Hayes

*The Funk Brothers played on this track issued on Brunswick (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher by Jackie Wilson

CD's