Funky Friday – Episode 74: Red, White, & Groove
- Noah McDonough
- Jun 30
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 1
🎧 Quick Links:
🎧 Listen live on KDOG 9 AM Pacific Time→ Here
🎧 Listen live on KCSM HD2 9 PM Pacific Time→ Here (On mobile, scroll down to the KCSM HD2 player)
📆 Add to Calendar — Funky Friday (Weekly):
• 9 AM KDOG
Add to Google Calendar
• 9 PM KCSM HD2
Add to Google Calendar
🎶 Catch the Replay → Comming Soon
📖 Full Episode Recaps + Setlists → Here
📂 Renegade Radio Site → Here
Airdate: 7.3.26 - 9 AM Pacific Time on KDOG & 9 PM Pacific Time on KCSM HD2
Funky Friday – Episode 74: Red, White, & Groove
Celebrating America's 250th
Happy Funky Friday Renegades of Funk!
Every year, Independence Day arrives with familiar traditions.
Fireworks.
Parades.
Backyard barbecues.
Family gatherings.
This year feels a little different.
America celebrates its 250th anniversary, marking two and a half centuries since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
There are countless ways to commemorate a milestone like that.
For this week's Funky Friday, I chose to celebrate one of America's greatest cultural exports.
The groove.
Long before funk found audiences around the world, it was taking shape in churches, jazz clubs, neighborhood dance halls, recording studios, and city streets across the United States. It grew from gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and soul before becoming a sound all its own.
From Augusta to Detroit.
From New Orleans to Oakland.
From Chicago to Minneapolis.
Every city left its fingerprint on the music.
That's what makes this episode different.
I want to celebrate the musicians whose creativity has helped shape American music and whose influence continues to be heard around the world.
The journey begins with one of the most unforgettable performances ever captured on film.
Before a single word is spoken, you'll hear Jimi Hendrix performing The Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock in 1969.
More than fifty years later, people still debate exactly what Hendrix intended that morning.
Was it celebration?
Reflection?
Commentary?
Maybe all of those things.
Whatever your interpretation, its place in American music history is undeniable.
From there, the show moves through the pioneers who defined the groove, the bands that expanded it, and the artists who carried it into jazz, soul, and popular music.
Along the way, we'll make a few stops in places that helped define America's musical identity, including right here in the Bay Area with Oakland's own Tower of Power.
As a bonus, this past Tuesday also marked another milestone in my own life.
My wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.
The final song in this week's episode is a small dedication to her--a quiet personal note tucked inside a celebration of American music.
Sometimes the best stories have more than one ending.
However you're spending the holiday weekend, thank you for making Funky Friday part of it.
From all of us at Renegade Chronicles...
Happy Fourth of July.
And keep the groove alive.
Signal Discovery
Few live performances have become as legendary as Jimi Hendrix's rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner during the closing hours of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair on the morning of August 18, 1969.
Using nothing more than a Stratocaster, a wall of amplifiers, and extraordinary musicianship, Hendrix transformed a familiar national anthem into one of the defining performances in American music history. His use of feedback, sustain, distortion, and improvisation has inspired generations of musicians and continues to spark conversation more than five decades later.
Whether you hear it as celebration, reflection, protest, or simply an extraordinary display of artistic expression, one thing is certain: it remains one of the most powerful moments ever captured on a concert stage.
It felt like the only place to begin this week's journey.
Watch the complete Woodstock performance below.
Funky Friday – Episode 74: Red, White, & Groove
🔥 SETLIST + RENEGADE NOTES
JIMI HENDRIX — The Star-Spangled Banner (1969)
Personnel: Jimi Hendrix (electric guitar), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Billy Cox (bass).
Renegade Note: Performed during the closing hours of Woodstock on August 18, 1969, Hendrix's interpretation of The Star-Spangled Banner became one of the defining live performances in American music history. Using feedback, sustain, distortion, and extraordinary improvisation, he transformed a familiar anthem into a moment that continues to inspire conversation more than half a century later. It serves as the opening statement for this special celebration of America's 250th anniversary.
JAMES BROWN — Livin' in America (1985)
Personnel: James Brown (vocals), Dan Hartman (co-writer, producer), Charlie Midnight (co-writer), with an all-star studio ensemble.
Renegade Note: Written for the film Rocky IV, Livin' in America became one of James Brown's biggest crossover hits. Beneath its arena-sized energy is the unmistakable groove of the Godfather of Soul, making it a fitting launch into a celebration of one of America's greatest musical exports.
SLY & THE FAMILY STONE — Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (1969)
Personnel: Sly Stone (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Freddie Stone (guitar), Larry Graham (bass), Cynthia Robinson (trumpet), Jerry Martini (saxophone), Greg Errico (drums), Rose Stone (keyboards, vocals).
Renegade Note: Few records changed funk more dramatically than Thank You. Larry Graham's groundbreaking slap bass technique and Sly Stone's fearless musical vision helped establish a sound that would influence generations of funk, R&B, rock, and hip-hop artists.
THE METERS — Cissy Strut (1969)
Personnel: Art Neville (keyboards), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), George Porter Jr. (bass), Zigaboo Modeliste (drums).
Renegade Note: Recorded in New Orleans, Cissy Strut remains one of the foundational recordings of American funk. Its deceptively simple groove became a blueprint studied by musicians around the world and still sounds remarkably fresh decades later.
TOWER OF POWER — What Is Hip? (1973)
Personnel: Emilio Castillo (tenor saxophone), Stephen "Doc" Kupka (baritone saxophone), Bruce Conte (guitar), Rocco Prestia (bass), David Garibaldi (drums), Chester Thompson (keyboards), Lenny Pickett (lead tenor saxophone).
Renegade Note: No celebration of American funk would be complete without a stop in Oakland. What Is Hip? showcases Tower of Power's legendary horn section alongside one of the tightest rhythm sections ever assembled, cementing the band's place among the Bay Area's greatest musical ambassadors.
WAR — The Cisco Kid (1972)
Personnel: Lonnie Jordan (keyboards, vocals), Howard Scott (guitar), B.B. Dickerson (bass), Harold Brown (drums), Charles Miller (saxophone, flute), Lee Oskar (harmonica), Papa Dee Allen (percussion).
Renegade Note: War built a sound unlike any other band of the era by blending funk, rock, Latin rhythms, jazz, and soul. The Cisco Kid captures that musical melting pot perfectly, reflecting the cultural diversity that has always been one of America's greatest creative strengths.
OHIO PLAYERS — Fire (1974)
Personnel: Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner (guitar, vocals), Marshall "Rock" Jones (bass), Jimmy "Diamond" Williams (drums), Billy Beck (keyboards), Clarence "Chet" Willis (guitar), Marvin Pierce (trumpet), Ralph Middlebrooks (trombone).
Renegade Note: Released at the height of the Ohio Players' success, Fire became one of funk's defining anthems. With explosive horns, irresistible grooves, and a title perfectly suited to Independence Day, it brings another spark to this week's celebration.
VILLAGE PEOPLE — In the Navy (1979)
Personnel: Victor Willis (lead vocals), Felipe Rose (Native American), Alex Briley (G.I.), David Hodo (Construction Worker), Glenn Hughes (Leatherman), Randy Jones (Cowboy), Ray Simpson (Biker). Produced by Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo.
Renegade Note: Released in 1979, In the Navy became one of the Village People's signature recordings, pairing infectious disco grooves with one of the most recognizable choruses of its era. The song became part of American popular culture through sporting events, celebrations, and military associations. As this episode celebrates America's 250th anniversary, it also serves as a tribute to Village People co-founder and lead vocalist Victor Willis, whose music helped define a generation.
KOOL & THE GANG — Celebration (1980)
Personnel: Robert "Kool" Bell (bass), Ronald Bell/Khalis Bayyan (tenor saxophone, keyboards), James "J.T." Taylor (lead vocals), George Brown (drums), Dennis "D.T." Thomas (alto saxophone), Claydes Charles Smith (guitar), Curtis Williams (trumpet), Ricky Westfield (keyboards).
Renegade Note: Few songs capture the spirit of coming together quite like Celebration. Released in 1980, it became one of Kool & The Gang's signature recordings and a timeless anthem for milestones, holidays, and shared moments of joy. As America marks its 250th anniversary, there couldn't be a more fitting invitation to celebrate the music, the memories, and the enduring power of the groove.
GEORGE DUKE — Reach Out (1977)
Personnel: George Duke (keyboards, vocals), Byron Miller (bass), Leon "Ndugu" Chancler (drums), Airto Moreira (percussion), Sheila E. (percussion).
Renegade Note: George Duke possessed a rare ability to move effortlessly between jazz virtuosity and infectious funk. Reach Out captures that balance, blending sophisticated musicianship with an irresistible groove that continues to influence keyboard players today.
THE COMMODORES — Brick House (1977)
Personnel: Lionel Richie (vocals, saxophone), Thomas McClary (guitar), Milan Williams (keyboards), Ronald LaPread (bass), Walter Orange (drums), William King (trumpet), J.D. Nicholas (vocals).
Renegade Note: One of the most recognizable funk recordings ever released, Brick House became a defining hit for the Commodores and remains a masterclass in groove, horn arrangements, and irresistible rhythm nearly fifty years later.
LENNY KRAVITZ — American Woman (1999)
Personnel: Lenny Kravitz (vocals, guitar, bass, drums, producer).
Renegade Note: Originally written by The Guess Who in 1970, Lenny Kravitz reimagined American Woman with a heavier rock edge for a new generation. Closing this week's episode, it also carries a personal dedication in celebration of my wife and my 25th wedding anniversary—a fitting ending to a show about America's music and the moments that become part of our own stories.
🔗 Quick Links:
🎧 Listen live on KDOG 9 AM Pacific Time→ Here
🎧 Listen live on KCSM HD2 9 PM Pacific Time→ Here (On mobile, scroll down to the KCSM HD2 player)
📆 Add to Calendar — Funky Friday (Weekly):
• 9 AM KDOG
Add to Google Calendar
• 9 PM KCSM HD2
Add to Google Calendar
🎶 Catch the Replay → Comming Soon
📖 Full Episode Recaps + Setlists → Here
📂 Renegade Radio Site → Here
Funk Facts
JIMI HENDRIX — The Star-Spangled Banner
Built around controlled feedback, sustain, vibrato, blues phrasing, amplifier overdrive, and expressive improvisation. The performance demonstrates how electric guitar timbre and extended techniques can transform a familiar melody into a powerful work of musical interpretation.
JAMES BROWN — Livin' in America
Driven by punchy horn arrangements, syncopated rhythm guitar, energetic drum grooves, layered backing vocals, and James Brown's unmistakable vocal phrasing. The arrangement blends funk foundations with arena-scale production while preserving the rhythmic precision that defined Brown's sound.
SLY & THE FAMILY STONE — Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
Constructed from pioneering slap bass technique, interlocking rhythm guitar, call-and-response vocals, syncopated keyboard figures, and tightly integrated ensemble performance. The arrangement established many of the rhythmic conventions that became central to modern funk.
THE METERS — Cissy Strut
Built around economical guitar phrasing, syncopated bass movement, second-line-inspired drumming, Hammond organ accompaniment, and subtle ensemble interplay. The arrangement illustrates how groove, space, and rhythmic precision can create extraordinary musical momentum.
TOWER OF POWER — What Is Hip?
Driven by intricate horn arrangements, ghost-note bass technique, tightly synchronized rhythm guitar, sophisticated harmonic movement, and one of funk's most celebrated drum performances. The arrangement exemplifies the precision and musicianship of the Bay Area funk sound.
WAR — The Cisco Kid
Constructed from Latin-inspired percussion, harmonica melodies, conversational vocals, melodic bass lines, and layered ensemble textures. The arrangement reflects War's unique ability to blend multiple American musical traditions into a cohesive and instantly recognizable groove.
OHIO PLAYERS — Fire
Built around aggressive rhythm guitar, driving bass lines, explosive horn punctuations, layered percussion, and dynamic vocal interplay. The arrangement captures the band's signature combination of raw funk energy and polished studio craftsmanship.
VILLAGE PEOPLE — In the Navy
Built around driving four-on-the-floor rhythms, layered vocal harmonies, prominent horn arrangements, rhythmic guitar, and infectious call-and-response phrasing. The arrangement demonstrates how late-1970s disco absorbed elements of funk, soul, and pop to create one of the most recognizable dance sounds in American popular music.
KOOL & THE GANG — Celebration
Driven by uplifting vocal harmonies, bright horn arrangements, syncopated rhythm guitar, dance-oriented bass lines, and steady four-on-the-floor rhythmic momentum. The arrangement demonstrates the band's transition from jazz-funk pioneers to one of popular music's most successful crossover acts.
GEORGE DUKE — Reach Out
Built around synthesizer textures, layered keyboard harmonies, syncopated bass grooves, dynamic percussion, and jazz-influenced improvisation. The arrangement showcases George Duke's remarkable ability to balance technical virtuosity with irresistible funk rhythms.
THE COMMODORES — Brick House
Driven by prominent bass lines, tightly coordinated horn figures, syncopated rhythm guitar, punchy drum grooves, and confident vocal delivery. The arrangement remains one of funk's definitive examples of groove-centered songwriting and ensemble precision.
LENNY KRAVITZ — American Woman
Constructed from overdriven guitar riffs, powerful rhythm-section interplay, blues-inspired vocal phrasing, layered rock production, and contemporary reinterpretation of a classic composition. The arrangement demonstrates how a familiar song can be successfully reimagined while preserving its original spirit.tion.
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