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Amp Fiddler

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Amp Fiddler
Birth nameJoseph Anthony Fiddler
Born(1958-05-16)May 16, 1958
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedDecember 18, 2023(2023-12-18) (aged 65)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • keyboardist
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
LabelsAmpliphonic
Websitewww.ampfiddler.com

Joseph Anthony "Amp" Fiddler (May 17, 1958 – December 18, 2023)[1] was an American singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. His musical styles included funk, soul, dance and electronica. He was probably best known for his contributions to the band Enchantment, and as part of George Clinton's Parliament and Funkadelic groups from 1985 to 1996.[2]

Early life

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Fiddler was born in Detroit on May 17, 1958.[3][4][5] He began studying music at the age of 16.[6] After graduating from high school, he continued studying music at Wayne County Community College, Oakland Community College, and Oakland University.[6] He left Oakland University to go on tour full-time with Enchantment.[4][6]

Career

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Fiddler worked with George Clinton, Moodymann, Stephanie McKay, Jamiroquai, Prince, Was (Not Was), the Brand New Heavies, Fishbone, Corinne Bailey Rae and neo soul artist Maxwell.[5][7][8]

Working with his brother, Bubz (bass guitarist, producer and songwriter), Fiddler released the album With Respect in 1991 on Elektra, recording under the name Mr. Fiddler.[4][7] His debut album as Amp Fiddler, Waltz of a Ghetto Fly, was released on March 9, 2004.[5][9] His final album, Basementality, was released in 2021.[5]

Fiddler received a Kresge Artist Fellowship in 2020.[4]

Fiddler was credited with introducing hip-hop producer J Dilla to the Akai MPC sampling drum machine[10] and also to A Tribe Called Quest member Q-Tip,[11] who introduced the young Dilla into the music industry world.[4]

In regard to Dilla's memory, Fiddler said:

The first beat he played for me he looped the whole track from cassette player to cassette player. There were a few drops, but for the most part it was pretty damn precise. So I told him he needs to go home and separate all the samples to load into the MPC, and he came back with all the samples separated and mapped out exactly how he wanted it. As time went on, he got better and better. He used to come by the crib to get on the MPC and he would work on it for three or four hours at a time. He used to have a big smile on his face, because he was so excited after finishing a beat.[12]

Personal life, illness, and death

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Fiddler married Tombi Stewart in 2023. He had a son from a previous relationship.[1]

Following ongoing health issues and recovery from surgery in 2022, a fundraiser was arranged for Fiddler in Detroit on December 10, 2023, to help cover his medical expenses.[10] He died from cancer at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit on December 18, 2023,[1] at the age of 65.[5][1][13][14]

Discography

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Albums

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  • With Respect (1991)
  • Waltz of a Ghetto Fly (2004) – UK No. 82
  • Afro Strut (2006) – UK No. 126
  • Inspiration Information (2008) – with Sly and Robbie[15]
  • Motor City Booty (2016)
  • Kindred Live (2017) – with Will Sessions
  • Amp Dog Knights (2017)
  • The One (2018) – with Will Sessions

Source:[16]

Singles, maxi-singles, and EPs

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  • "Basementality" (2002)
  • "Love and War" (2003)
  • "Possibilities" (2003)
  • "I Believe in You" (2003) – UK No. 72[17]
  • "Dreamin" (2004) – UK No. 71[17]
  • "Too High" (2004)
  • "If You Can't Get Me Off Your Mind" (2004)
  • "I Believe in You" (2004)
  • "Eye to Eye" (2004)
  • "Right Where You Are" (2006)
  • "Ridin' / Faith" (2006)
  • "Hope / Dope" (2006)
  • "If I Don't" (2007) – featuring Corinne Bailey Rae
  • "Find My Way" (2007)
  • "Stay or Move On" (2008)
  • "Inspiration Information" (2008) – with Sly and Robbie
  • "Blackhouse (Paint the White House Black)" (2008) – with Sly and Robbie
  • "Take It" (2014) – featuring Raphael Saadiq
  • "Basementality 2" (2014)
  • "Bassmentality 3" (2015)
  • "Motor City Booty" (2016)
  • "So Sweet" (2017)
  • "Lost Without You" (2017) – with Will Sessions
  • "Reminiscin'" (2017) – with Will Sessions
  • "Rendezvous" (2017) – with Will Sessions
  • "Keep Coming" (2019)

Source:[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Rubin, Mike (December 26, 2023). "Amp Fiddler, Versatile Keyboardist, Singer and Mentor, Dies at 65". The New York Times. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  2. ^ "BBC – collective – amp fiddler interview and session". BBC. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012.
  3. ^ Bennett, Chuck (May 17, 2018). "Society Confidential: Musician Amp Fiddler celebrates 60th birthday at Willis Show Bar". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e Graham, Adam (December 18, 2023). "Amp Fiddler, influential Detroit funk musician, dies at 65". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (December 18, 2023). "Amp Fiddler, funk musician with all-star collaborations, dies aged 65". The Guardian. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "Amp Fiddler talks early years, J Dilla and new album, 'Motor City Booty'". Rolling Out. December 17, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Hands, Steve (March 2004). "Amp Fiddler : interview". MusicOMH. Archived from the original on March 25, 2006.
  8. ^ "Amp Fiddler". Clubbity. March 11, 2007. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  9. ^ "Amp Fiddler – Waltz of a Ghetto Fly Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Broccoli; Zimmer, Joe (November 28, 2023). "Fundraiser planned for Detroit's Amp Fiddler". Metro Times. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  11. ^ "Amp Fiddler". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  12. ^ "Spiritualized | Stones Throw Records". Stones Throw Records. March 19, 2006. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  13. ^ Murray, Robin (December 18, 2023). "Amp Fiddler Has Died; Cause Of Death". Clash. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  14. ^ McCollum, Brian (December 18, 2023). "Amp Fiddler, revered Detroit musician, had a career that spanned genres and decades". Detroit Free Press.
  15. ^ Lewis, Pete (October 2008). "Amp Fiddler: Funky Sensation". Blues & Soul. No. 1101. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Amp Fiddler". AllMusic. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 22. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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