Parliament-Funkadelic singer Clarence ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins dies at 81

Clarence ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins, the renowned Parliament-Funkadelic vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, has passed away at the age of 81.

Haskins was an integral member of the P-Funk collective, joining the group in 1970, and lending his indelible voice and musicianship to some of the group’s most popular and iconic tracks.

He began his career as a gospel singer in his hometown of Fairfax, Virginia, before moving to Detroit in the late 1950s, where he joined the gospel group The Parliaments, which would eventually evolve into the funk powerhouse P-Funk. While with the group, Haskins sang lead and background vocals on numerous classic tracks such as “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker),” “Flash Light,” and “One Nation Under a Groove.”

In addition to his vocals, Haskins was an accomplished musician, playing guitar and bass on numerous P-Funk recordings. He was also a prolific songwriter, contributing to many of the group’s most memorable songs.

Haskins left the group in 1977, citing disputes with founder and leader George Clinton, and released several solo albums over the next decade. He rejoined the group in 1989, and continued to perform with P-Funk until his passing.

A beloved figure in the funk community, Haskins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of P-Funk. His influence and legacy will live on in the music he helped create.

Clarence ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins, the venerated Parliament-Funkadelic vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, has perished at the advanced age of 81.

Haskins played a pivotal role in the P-Funk squad, joining the ensemble in 1970 and bestowing his inimitable vocals and musicianship to some of the set’s most renowned and emblematic tracks.

He initially embarked on his vocation as a gospel vocalist in his hometown of Fairfax, Virginia, prior to transitioning to Detroit in the late 1950s, where he was integrated into the gospel group The Parliaments, which would ultimately evolve into the funk powerhouse P-Funk. As a member of the configuration, Haskins sang lead and background vocals on a range of vaunted songs such as “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker),” “Flash Light,” and “One Nation Under a Groove.”

In addition to his vocalizations, Haskins was a proficient instrumentalist, playing guitar and bass on various P-Funk recordings. He was also a fecund songwriter, contributing to many of the set’s most memorable pieces.

Haskins abandoned the organization in 1977, citing clashes with founder and leader George Clinton, and issued multiple solo albums over the subsequent decade. He reconnected with the formation in 1989, and continued to execute with P-Funk until his death.

A highly esteemed figure in the funk milieu, Haskins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a component of P-Funk. His influence and legacy will persist through the music he helped devise.