Bernie Worrell

American Musician

About Bernie Worrell

George Bernard Worrell, Jr. (April 19, 1944 – June 24, 2016) was an American keyboardist and record producer best known as a founding member of the Parliament-Funkadelic collective. In later years, he also worked with acts such as Talking Heads, Bill Laswell, and Jack Bruce. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic. Worrell was described by journalist Jon Pareles as “the kind of sideman who is as influential as some bandleaders,” with his use of synthesizers particularly impactful on funk and hip hop.

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Quotes by Bernie Worrell

As far as arrangements after the basic track is cut, if I’m writing a horn arrangement or playing strings, I might arrange that, plan that out. Other times, I’ll just sit and roll tape.

Bernie Worrell

I don’t listen to a lot of radio today. It’s not really music to me.

Bernie Worrell

I got private lessons in keyboard at Julliard, before New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

Bernie Worrell

I talk by playing, not by words.

Bernie Worrell

I was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, and no one had ever taught anybody that young, back in those days.

Bernie Worrell

I was born with a natural gift. My mother recognized the talent.

Bernie Worrell

I was known around the college for jamming in the lounge.

Bernie Worrell

My mother wanted me to be a concert pianist.

Bernie Worrell

People like my voice and say I can sing, but I don’t like microphones in front of my face: it distracts me.

Bernie Worrell

Prince presented us at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Bernie Worrell

Providence School of Art students used to sneak into P Funk concerts.

Bernie Worrell

The radios are going to dictate. That’s another fight. That’s another story there. I wish they just let it be.

Bernie Worrell

Usually, I just do what I want, because I got it that way.

Bernie Worrell

We used to have a main female vocalist. But she had a baby. Now we do the singing ourselves.

Bernie Worrell

Woo means the ability to entice someone or something to get what you want. My first solo album was called: All the Woo of the Universe, which was titled by George Clinton.

Bernie Worrell

You can be enticed by food, wooed by food, sex, money, or instruments.

Bernie Worrell