Parliament-Funkadelic's Garry Shider, a 1997 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, passed away yesterday of complications from cancer, The Star Ledger reports. He was 56. Known to fans as both "Star Child" and "Diaper Man" for his penchant for wearing oversized diapers onstage during Funkadelic's mind-altering live performances, Shider was one of the few mainstays in Parliament-Funkadelic's otherwise revolving door lineup. He first appeared on Funkadelic's 1971 masterpiece Maggot Brain and Parliament's second album Up for the Down Stroke, earning guitar, vocal and songwriting credits on the majority of the records in the P-Funk catalog up through their most recent album, By Way of the Drum. Up until he was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer, Shider was still an active member of the P-Funk touring collective. "Thank you, Garry for all you have done. Forever funkin' on!" George Clinton wrote on his official website.

Shider first caught the eye of Funkadelic mastermind Clinton at a barbershop Clinton owned in their native Plainfield, New Jersey. His first major task as a member of Funkadelic, in addition to providing rhythm guitar to Eddie Hazel's legendary lead, was singing lead vocals on Maggot Brain's "Can You Get to That." He later sang on the Funkadelic hits "Cosmic Slop" and "One Nation Under the Groove," a track co-written by Shider that was named as one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Shider's impact was equally felt with Parliament, where he, Clinton and Bootsy Collins teamed to write a pair of tracks on their landmark LP Mothership Connection, "Unfunky UFO" and "Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication." Shider also co-wrote George Clinton's solo hit "Loopzilla" and played guitar when Bootsy Collins branched out with his Rubber Band. Film fans will also remember Shider, in his trademark diaper, from his cameo appearance when P-Funk played "The Pit" in PCU.

Shider was first rushed to the hospital in Maryland, where he was residing, on March 25th after experiencing what appeared to be a stroke. He was soon diagnosed with cancer. Struggling to keep up with the sudden influx of medical bills, a fundraising team comprised of family, fans and friends established the Garry Shider Medical Fund to help raise money for the musician's treatment, staging benefit concerts to reach their goal of $500,000. One such show, scheduled for July 10th in Bloomfield, New Jersey, was to feature Living Colour and P-Funk bandmate Bernie Worrell.

"Over the past four months, Garry fought each day against one of the deadliest diseases, so that he could do what he loved, which was to return to the stage. Which he did," members of the Garry Shider Medical Fund wrote on their site following Shider's death, asking fans to donate funds to Sweet Relief, a charity that provides financial help to musicians with health problems.

fuckin' bummmmerrrr..... :Youmakeagrownmancrylikejoey


I was lucky enough to shake his hand when I saw them play. My friend and I decided to skip our senior prom to go see them. Best decision we ever made (cheaper, too.)

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g121/mrhipfl/HPIM0628.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g121/mrhipfl/HPIM0605.jpg

RIP my man.

That was by far the loudest gig I've ever been to, by the way. The show went on for over 3 hours. The drummer was a real powerhouse.

Holden wrote on Jun 17^th, 2010 at 8:45pm:

That was by far the loudest gig I've ever been to, by the way. The show went on for over 3 hours. The drummer was a real powerhouse.

I recognize Jannus Landing.  I love that venue, but have not seen the remodel yet.

RIP GS

StPeteStone wrote on Jun 18^th, 2010 at 1:16am:

Holden wrote on Jun 17th, 2010 at 8:45pm: That was by far the loudest gig I've ever been to, by the way. The show went on for over 3 hours. The drummer was a real powerhouse. I recognize Jannus Landing.  I love that venue, but have not seen the remodel yet.

Me neither, haven't seen a show there in quite some time. It is a great venue and I wish more artists would play there instead of Ruth Eckerd Hall. Everyone always sits down at REH...wtf?!

Holden wrote on Jun 18^th, 2010 at 4:46pm:

StPeteStone wrote on Jun 18th, 2010 at 1:16am: Holden wrote on Jun 17th, 2010 at 8:45pm: That was by far the loudest gig I've ever been to, by the way. The show went on for over 3 hours. The drummer was a real powerhouse. I recognize Jannus Landing.  I love that venue, but have not seen the remodel yet. Me neither, haven't seen a show there in quite some time. It is a great venue and I wish more artists would play there instead of Ruth Eckerd Hall. Everyone always sits down at REH...wtf?!

I know what u mean about Ruth Eckerd, I was almost throw out of there at an Allman Bros show a few years ago for not wanting to sit.  But, both Diana Ross and Chris Issaks were great.  Obviously it depends on what kind of event it is because it sounds great in there.

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/atomic-dog-very-live-1985-funkadelic/9adc6ac6ef7cd0a33c1a9adc6ac6ef7cd0a33c1a-65571390447?q=atomic%20dog&FROM=LKVR5&GT1=LKVR5&FORM=LKVR12