Sunday, June 28, 2009

Bootsy remembers Michael

You might be all Michaeled out by now... but here’s a talk-radio artifact I must pass along. Because I’m still that much of a P-Funk freak.

Friday afternoon, Bootsy Collins appeared on Bill Cunningham’s radio show in Cincinnati to reminisce about Michael Jackson.

Cunningham, if you don’t know, is a right- wing talker with a national reputation. (Hannity stole his line “You’re a great American” from Bill Cunningham.)

Now dig: Tonight on Cunningham’s nationally syndicated weekly broadcast – “Live on Sunday Night, It’s Bill Cunningham” – the host dumped all over Michael, repeatedly calling him a “drug addict” and saying his death was getting too much media coverage. As opposed to those “tea party” protests. (I swear to God, he brought up the tea parties!)

Cunningham wasn’t popping that shit when Bootsy was in the studio on Friday. Click here to hear a 13-minute excerpt on my Vox blog.

That conversation reminds me to mention, proudly, that I was in Cleveland in 1997 to witness the induction of Parliament-Funkadelic and the Jackson 5 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (I got within a few feet of Tito.)

Anyway, follow this link if you want to stream or download all of Bootsy’s appearance on the Bill Cunningham show.

9 comments:

Max Reddick said...

Well, give him some credit. He did bring Bootsy Collins on.

The comical part is the beginning when he chides those unfamiliar with Bootsy Collins. I'm wondering if he really knew who Bootsy was before Bootsy was booked for the show.

And then the guy sells out by stating that he never thought Mike was guilty; he thought he was simply being shaken down. Talking about talking out of different sides of your mouth.

But I especially enjoyed Bootsy explaining that he was not of this world. Hopefully, one day Bootsy and George Clinton and the rest of the P-Funk crew will do a documentary allowing us to explore the world they have emmigrated from. I would be a treat.

Undercover Black Man said...

I'm wondering if he really knew who Bootsy was before Bootsy was booked for the show.

I get the feeling from this interview that Bootsy is a high-profile Cincinnati celebrity. And so is Cunningham. Guess there aren't many of those... so it figures their paths would cross.

Part that tickled me was when Cunningham said, "I look normal, right?" And Bootsy was like "Uhhh... somewhat."

I've seen Cunningham on Fox News, and he's one of those men who looks like a lesbian.

papasean said...

I listen to the whole thang, Bootsy and Patti had him over for Thanksgiving last year, so he should know who Bootsy is by now.

Kellybelle said...

why were you ever in Cleveland?

bklyn6 said...

Is there anyone not remembering Michael? (I listened to Spike Lee talk about him on NPR and I just finished listening to a new MJ coverstory on Coverville.)

Now I'm just counting the days until the first report of an MJ sighting.

Undercover Black Man said...

Kellybelle: I love that Rock Hall of Fame. Be proud of your city!

Plane Ideas said...

I am going to grind UBM for his history of trashing MJ..Some of us never forget.....

Doshi said...

A huge second line parade was held in New Orleans to honor MJ.

I remember popping to "PYT"... I'll admit that a good amount of my grief is realizing how long ago some of these joints were released... any who...

I think I'm going to have to turn off the Michael coverage...they're digging up everyone to basically state the obvious. People who need it explained to them why MJ matters will never get it anyway.

eclectique916 said...

Second line sighting for MJ in NOLA?! Cool. This was a fantastic interview. Thanks for posting UBM. Glad to have you back especially now. I'm going to have to go into MJ rehab myself. I can't get "Thriller" and "Billy Jean" out of my head. Let me see what's on the CD pile.