Amp Fiddler, known for his innovative mix of genres, passed away at age 65. The legendary Detroit musician has sadly succumbed to cancer.
R.I.P. Amp
Amp Fiddler, whose real name was Joseph Anthony Fiddler, succumbed to cancer on Dec. 18.
In December 2022, his brother Joseph Fiddler launched a GoFundMe for the artist, who at the time was recovering from an unknown surgery and spent months in the hospital. The fundraiser surpassed its goal of $75,000.
On his Instagram page, his family shared a statement on his death.
“We face the insurmountable responsibility of sharing the passing of Joseph ‘Amp’ Fiddler,” reads the statement. “Our beloved ‘Amp’ Fiddler, Detroit’s own world-renowned ambassador of funk, soul, and electronic music, keyboardist, producer, Afro-futurist, and guiding force of light for so many, has transitioned at the age of 65.”
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Fiddler, who gained recognition as a keyboardist, producer, and Afro-futurist, began his musical journey as a member of the band Enchantment in the 1970s. However, he made his mark as a key member of the legendary funk band Parliament-Funkadelic from the 1980s to the 1990s.
Influenced by the vibrant Detroit music scene, Fiddler’s talent extended beyond funk and soul, working with icons such as Prince, Raphael Saadiq, Maxwell, and others.
One of Fiddler’s notable contributions was his impact on the hip-hop community. He played a pivotal role in mentoring the late producer J Dilla, guiding him in production tactics and introducing him to A Tribe Called Quest leader Q-Tip, which paved the way for Dilla’s successful career. Fiddler’s influence transcended generations, connecting musicians and scenes from all corners of the globe.
Fellow Artists Pay Their Respects
Some notable members of the rap community shared their condolences and reacted to Fiddler’s death. The Roots drummer Questlove posted on Instagram:
“Rest easy brother Amp. For all those talks during the Pfunk tour. For all the music. Especially of course mentoring the one who mentored us (Dilla)——thank you brother.”
British DJ Gilles Peterson also reacted by saying:
“Waking up to the desperately sad news that our dear friend Amp Fiddler has passed… from George Clinton to Dilla to Moodyman … Detroit royalty … a huge influence on musicians from all sides of the globe – he connected generations and scenes… a mentor to so many.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to cover the funeral costs, allowing fans and supporters to contribute to honoring the late musician’s legacy.
Clarence Avant: Another Tragic Loss
Another recent loss in the music industry was Clarence Avant, the legendary music executive who passed away in August at the age of 92. Avant, known as the “Black Godfather,” managed artists from various genres, including soul and hip-hop, and served as the former chairman of Motown Records.
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