I had always been a huge fan of Zapp and Roger. Had all of their albums, jammed them to death. (PLEASE don't get me started on "More Bounce"). Had even seen Zapp live, when they opened for P on his Controversy tour. Never really thought about Zapp in terms of P, except for the fact that I dug the hell out of both acts. And that I considered P and Roger to be the 2 "new breed" funk/rock stars of the early 80's. Anyway, time for Zapp's new album to come out, (Zapp IV U, 1985) so I went to my trusty Music Plus store and bought it. Digging the album. Then it got to "Itchin' For Your Twitchin" and I took notice. "This shit SOUNDS like Prince!" I thought. "This shit is "Sexy Dancer!" I listened, somewhat surprised, that a high level funk band like Zapp, would so openly bite off of another cat that was totally reigning surpreme at the time. And the cherry on the cake was that, I already knew that Roger could throwdown on lead guitar, evident on Zapp's "Heartbreaker" (Zapp III 1983), but, here he was "doing Prince" on his solo to "Itchin For Your Twitchin". Totally paying tribute to P, from the music, to the lyrics, the guitar solos and even the screams. I thought it was cool and Zapp/Roger was totally able to pull it off without sounding like Ready For The World and shit. Anyway, who else digs this song?

Thank you! I did that track, too! I absolutely love Roger's guitar playing. The way he switches up on Do It Roger and I'm like I miss that cat soooo much!

Stymie said:

I am glad that my baby boy BG is giving up for my cat from Dayton. He was definitely a true Funk Warrior. R.I.P. Roger Troutman

Saw this brotha live & up close also....

A fantastic performer....

He was known for giving homage to other artists....

Yet still, brotha Troutman had a sound of his own.....

GOD BLESS Roger.....

funkpill said:

You're so right. The Funk Community definitely took a hit with his loss.

Yes! This is a great jam. And yes it does sound like Prince. Roger was another great singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. The Ohio brothers knew how to get down. Roger was no exception, and he is sorely missed today. I really miss hearing him on the local radio on Saturday nights playing all the old school jams. Good pick, B. You've done it again(lol).l

SPYZFAN1 said:

Most definitely , Ohio has produced alot of Funk artist.

You know it, baby!! Bootsy, Sugarfoot, and Roger..you couldn't go wrong!! They were funkin' hard.

SPYZFAN1 said:

Thanx, player! I also have the 45 single of this. The A and B side are DIFFERENT versions of the song. Side B has all kinds of lead guitar by Roger. He not only bit off of "Sexy Dancer", but he also sings 'Irrisistable Itch", not "Bitch' in the song as well. Same melody too.

SPYZFAN1 said:

Don't forget the Dazz Band and Midnight Star.

Roger, Prince and Jesse Johnson - cats that can funk it up as well as rock out with some nasty leads. The perfect blend of funk/rock. You usually don't see it the other way around - most hard rock/metal cats don't funk it up, though I think Eddie Van Halen and Jake E.Lee have great rhythm chops...

Getting back to Roger, I saw him in an outdoor concert at the World Trade Center back in '96. Great concert, though I really wanted to see him rip it up on guitar. He teased us with a few short leads but didn't throw down

R.I.P. Roger Troutman

JesseDezz said:

I agree with you Jess. It would've been cool to have seen Roger jam on the guitar before he passed. Oh well.

JesseDezz said:

I actually met Roger about a year before he died. I was with my mother in Tower Records on Sunset in So. Cal. I saw this cat dressed in a pearl white suit and matching hat. I told my mom, "That's Roger Troutman." I went up to him and spoke. I told him how much I loved his music and how he had influenced me as a musician. I told him "This is my mother". He was so nice and so classy, saying how lovely my mother was. I pulled out my business card and gave it to him, saying to call me. He was out here, working with Dr. Dre. We seen him leave in a taxi. That was the last time I seen him alive.

"Irresitable itch... ..I want your body, your love I can't resist. Delirious!"