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Melvin Parker (June 7, 1944 – December 3, 2021), he and his brother, saxophonist Maceo Parker, were key members of James Brown’s band.
Parker was born in Kinston, North Carolina on June 7, 1944. His drumming style was a major ingredient in Brown’s funk music innovations in the 1960s. In 1964 and 1965 Parker was the drummer on three of Brown’s recordings: “Out of Sight,” “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag,” and “I Got You (I Feel Good).”
“The greatest drummer I ever had in my life was Melvin Parker,” Brown reflected in 2004. “‘I Feel Good’, ‘Papa’s Bag’ – nobody ever did that. Nobody. And they can’t do it now. And if I was getting ready to cut a record that was right, I would go get Melvin today, because he’s just like a metronome.”
Parker’s first association with Brown ended when he was drafted in the mid-1960s. He was replaced in the band by Clyde Stubblefield and Jabo Starks. Parker rejoined Brown’s band in 1969, and appeared on the album Sex Machine.
In 1970, Parker was part of a mutiny by Brown’s band. After leaving Brown, Parker joined his brother Maceo’s band, Maceo & All the King’s Men. He rejoined Brown briefly in 1976, and played on the hit “Get Up Offa That Thing”.
Longtime James Brown associate Alan Leeds wrote about the passing of Melvin:
A sad day. The last of the 1960’s JB Funky Drummers, Mr. Melvin Parker passed away today. The brother of Maceo Parker, Melvin was born in Kinston, N.C. 6/7/44 (yes, he shared birthdays with Prince!). As teens Melvin and Maceo played in a North Carolina band called the Blue Notes before joining the James Brown Orchestra in May, 1964. Melvin plays on the original recordings of “Out Of Sight”, “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” and “I Got You (I Feel Good)”. He served in the U.S. Army from 12/65 until the Fall of 1967. Mel rejoined JB in April, 1969. In March, 1970, the Parkers formed Maceo & All The Kings Men a band that toured for several years. Melvin was back in the JB saddle from March, 1975, until January, 1977, after which he settled in Maryland and became a teacher and counselor. In his spare time he played with ex-JB trumpeter Lewis Hamlin’s big band in Baltimore. In the 1990’s he toured with Maceo and the J.B. Horns (Fred Wesley and Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis).
That’s Melvin (above photo) with the Blue Notes before Maceo joined. Blue Note guitarist Jimmy Bethea left Kinston in 1964 to tour with Ben E. King. Amazing how many soulful cats came out of little Kinston. At one point no less than 5 members of the James Brown Orchestra hailed from Kinston – the Parkers, Nat Jones, Levi Rasbury and trumpeter Dick Knight
-Alan Leeds
Alan Leeds(born January 26, 1947) is an American music executive, tour manager, production manager, writer and archivist best known for his work organizing performances and concert tours for artists such as James Brown, Prince, KISS, Cameo, D’Angelo and Chris Rock.
