Daddy Funk is Simon Greenhill a Drummer and Latin Percussionist since 1976 working professionally in the UK and worldwide for over 15 years. He has a successful Drum Tuition practice in the UK, inspiring his students on Drum Kit and Congas.
Simon the DF is endorsed as an educator by Yamaha Drums and Zildjian Cymbals an association that was established in October 2005. He has a continually ongoing recording project "Signs of LIFE" which displays his extensive song writing and performing talents. Volumes 1 and 2 are available now while "3" is due for release Winter 2006.
While exquisite modern Jazz Duo and Trio work can be heard and bought on www.friendshipandrespect.com There is also his T-shirt and sweatshirt clothing range, featuring the iconic DF Logo as seen on this site.
Daddy Funk was well known in the UK as a member of the Funk Rock Band "Funkabubble" in the mid-90s gaining success with the single "Control"; the video for which had consistent airplay on MTV Europe. Co-founder of the Funk Band The Bird Tribe who became hugely successful touring extensively in the UK. Resident Percussionist for the high profile House Club "Maison" for 4 1/2 years.
Simon lives with his partner; Photographer "Panther Kitten" and his step children on the sunny South Coast of Britain.
DF in the Studio.
Daddy Funk hanging out with Billy Ward in
London, May 2006.
Both Players are Endorsed
by Trueline
Drumsticks.
So the NeXt Band in My Series of “GREATEST Musical Influences” Blogs, to Follow oN from “Weather Report” is More to Do with SONGWRITING thaN Drumming……………………
& it is “The Electric Light Orchestra” with the INCREDIBLE SONGWRITING of Jeff Lynne! >>>
As a Songwriter Myself Since 1986, I have always beeN BLOWN AWAY by GREAT Pop & Rock Songwriting! >>>
“The Electric Light Orchestra” Fronted by Jeff Lynne was oNe of the GREATEST British Pop Bands of the 1970s. >>>
I first got into theM as a KeeN Muso Youth in 1976 at the age of 11.
I used to copy their Great LOGO on School Books & just about Any piece of paper I could get My hands oN!!! >>> I think that & Superheroes was the Start of My OBSESSION with a good LOGO! >>>
ELO’s Music CHANGED MY WORLD!!! >>>
It was FANTASTIC, Uplifting, BIG Production Pop Music. >>> REAL Songs for a Happy tiMe in the History of the UK & for a Youthful Daddy FuNk! >>>
The Album “Out of the Blue” was Released in October 1977 >>> for Me oNe of THE GREAT Years for Music & Songwriting in Rock & Pop History & an AMAZINGLY Formative tiMe in My Development in My Life. >>>
“Out of the Blue” was a Double Album (17 Songs) which Jeff wrote in a chalet, in the mountains just beyond Lake Geneva (in Switzerland) IN JUST ONE MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >>>>
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! >>> Recording started May 22nd 1977 & was Released, as I said, by October 1977……………….. Truly AMAZING!!!!! >>>
My ALL TIME FAVORITE Track from this Legendary Album is “Mr.Blue Sky”, the First track Jeff Wrote for the Record & aN ALL TIME CLASSIC!!!!!! >>>
This has Influenced Me as a Songwriter, Producer & Arranger…….& this is Why!>>>>>>>>
SUNSHINE in a Song!!! >>>
Jeff Lynne: “The weather had been really bad and then one day I got up and it was fantastic, the sun was brilliant and shining, all the mountains had lit up and this mist had gone away. It was gorgeous and I came up with ‘Mr.Blue Sky’ ”
PeAcE & CoOL, FuNky Vibes to You ALL Out the iN Web~Land!
Here is the NEWEST Daddy Funk Drum Video to be Uploaded on to YouTube.com & I’m SO PROUD OF IT!!!!!! >>>
As I said in the Previous Blog “Daddy Funk’s GREATEST Musical Influences. Part 1.”>>>
Ever since hearing Such INCREDIBLE JAZZ as “Weather Report”, “Miles Davis” & “The Pat Metheny Group” I haVe beeN Practicing HARD,
Listening to as MuCh GREAT Modern Jazz as I can get My HaNds oN,
Going to AS MANY HiGh Profile Jazz Concerts & Gigs with Panther Kitten AS I POSSIBLY CAN…………………so that I could become capable of IMPROVISING oN a Drum Set LIKE THIS! >>>>>>>>>
For Me GOOD JAZZ IMPROVISATION is about FEEL, DYNAMIC & STYLE! >>>
I Hope You are able to appreciate where I’m CoMing from, it’s taken Me MANY Years of LOVING Jazz Music & LOVING DRUMS & PERCUSSION to get to this PlaCe!!! >>>
I’m So Pleased I caN Share this with the World in the form of a CoOL VIDEO!
This is a NEW Idea that I want to Do from TiMe to tiMe >>> My GREATEST Musical Influences!!
Part 1: Starts the ThiNg Rolling with the HIGHLY Influencial JAZZ Group “Weather Report” featuring:
Joe Zawinul on Keyboards, Wayne Shorter on Saxophones (Who I was Honoured to Meet & Befriend in 2003!), Jaco Pastorious on Bass & the TRULY WONDERFUL Peter Erskine on the Drums! >>>
Last Week I was DeliGhted to find a Video on THE WONDERFUL YouTube.com of Weather Report in their Hay Day in 1978! >>> This is a Concert they Performed in a Large Concert Hall in Germany to Thousands of Adoring Fans!!!
The Track is “Birdland” arguably their MOST FAMOUS TUNE from the Multi Platinum Album “Heavy Weather” >>>
E N J O Y ! ! ! ! !
I was trying to Remember Recently when I first got into this AMAZING Group………..I think it Must have been around 1979/1980 so I would have been around 14/15 Years old & REALLY INTO GOOD MUSIC!!!! >>>
Infact I was a COMPLETE MUSO by this Point!!! >>>
I Bought ALL the Weather Report LPs as Vinyl Records which I Still Own & Which I Played to Death at the Time!!! >>>
Some of the Greatest Jazz Drummers & Percussionists of ALL TIME played with Weather Report between 1971 until it was disbanded in 1986……..the List includes:
Peter Erskine, Omar Hakim, Alex Acuna, Manolo Badrena, Jose Rossy & Chester Thomson.
My Favourite Albums are “Mr.Gone” (1978) “Domino Theory” (1984) “Weather Report” (1982)
& “8.30″ the Live Album (1979)
It is this Group that Made Me Decide I NEEDED to be able to Play CoOL, Authentic JazZ Drumming & I have spent the Subsiquent 28 Years Practicing, Striving & Finally Achieving My Goal! >>> NICE! >>> GoOd Work Mr.FuNk!!! >>>
Keep it Here for More Musical, Inspired Genius SOON!!!
