The band was formed by a pair of high school students in Vallejo, California, drummer Louis McCall and singer/guitarist Michael Cooper. The two got their start as a backup group for the Soul Children under the name Project Soul. They began working with Stax Records staff songwriters, and while recording at Audio Dimensions, a Memphis, Tennessee sound studio, producer Ted Sturges both named the group (after an instrumental recording by The Nite-Liters) and produced their first album, Organized Con Funk Shun.

In 1976, Con Funk Shun signed to Mercury Records, releasing eleven albums over a span of ten years. The group's 1977 LP, Secrets, was certified gold in the US, as were 1978's Loveshine, 1979's Candy, and 1980's Spirit of Love.[1] They scored a string of top ten hits on the Billboard black singles chart, including 1977's "Ffun" (#1), 1978's "Shake and Dance with Me" (#5), 1979's "Chase Me" (#4), 1980s "Got to Be Enough" (#8), and "Too Tight" (#8). Tensions from within the group built over the 1980s, and the group's last album, Burning Love, was recorded without songwriter and vocalist Felton Pilate. After leaving Mercury, the band broke up in 1986, but some members of the group reunited alongside touring musicians for concerts in the 1990s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...iscography

ConFunkShun: "Got To Be Enough"


ConFunkShun: "Chase Me"

Two of my favorite Con Funk Shun jams

I had always thought they were from Memphis but when they were on "Soul Train" they said they were from California. I had always wondered how they had a connection to Memphis and I love The Soul Children also. Thanks for the history.

...

One of my favorite groups of the 70's and 80's.! I love the fact that even though they had the funk hits, they also had great ballads and midtempo numbers...







...

vainandy said:

Some members also used to back up Rufus Thomas. If you watch Wattstax,
Louis Mc Call is seen playing drums for Rufus Thomas.

Here some of my favorite slow jams. I hope that you like them too.

they backed Rufus Thomas in the WATTSTAX movie. Also, I heard that Drummer Louis McCall was murdered not too long ago, which is sad.....

sacrifice said:

I like.

sacrifice said:

Chase Me was my jam!!!

I like it! I really really like it!

woogiebear said:

Yes he was murdered in his Stone Mountain,GA home back in 1996.
I believe i have that article from a Vibe magazine with Janet
on the cover. If i can recall i think they may have finally
bought the killer to justice after all these years. I know his
wife is very bitter towards Michael Cooper and Felton Pilate.
She has put their business out their on blast. Don't understand
her motives.

Speaking of Con Funk Shun slow jams....1979's "Let Me Put Love On Your Mind" is one of their best.I like the blazing guitar throughout.

phunkdaddy said:

Me neither. Her rants seemed to me to be about some bullshit bizness. Shame too...these guys always seemed to honestly enjoy playing together. Can't imagine Louis woulda wanted drama. Even SHE alluded strongly to being very proud of the band's legacy. Hopefully all's sorted somewhat by now.

This is one of my favorites from my favorite ConFunkShun album
Candy

From the 'Loveshine' LP.


~ I Think I Found The Answer ~




From the 'Secrets' LP

~ I'll Set You Out O.K. ~

[Edited 3/4/10 13:07pm]

What kind of dirt is she telling? Are they doing anything illegal? Are they cheating on their wives with other women....or men? What's the dirt?

vainandy said:

Band Drama:

http://www.myspace.com/louismccallcfs

Murder Trial Drama:

http://www.topix.com/foru...G#comments

More....according to Linda Lou McCall..

"In the 1990s, Michael Cooper and Felton Pilate, without consulting original band members McCall, Martin, Harrell, Fuller, or Thomas, began performing as the "Confunkshun Revue" in 1994, with unknown sidemen in place of their former band mates (and the band's name continuously misspelled!) Fuller and Harrell were eventually tapped to join but Harrell left after several years of being treated (and paid) like one of the sidemen. Although very talented, the reconstituted band lacks the legendary tightness of the original rhythm section, the "hot brass" sound of their horns and the amazing personal charisma of seven good-looking young men who developed a unique and iconic sound. The new band performs at "old school" concerts and small clubs around the country. Many a ticket buyer has been disappointed thinking that they were going to see the original band, only to discover a set of virtually unknowns."

vainandy said:

www.theloosebook.com/con_funk_shun_2

Make sure you read the article in green print to the right.
Enjoy.

phunkdaddy said:

Couldn't help but notice her GLARING omission of the fact that MVC is also an evil poopy-pants

woogiebear said:

Thats sad... But the music will still live on through his band members and their fans.

ALSO.....Felton Pilate did music with & for Hammer in HIS heyday!!!!!

woogiebear said:

Thank You woogiebear

xlr8r said:

Thank you for posting xlr8r.