Funky Broadway

[tyspai29]

I see you T. D.....do ya thang....I spotted Rich on your right too....;o)

[loosestudios]

"Funky Broadway in 1967, the first black dance single with the name "Funky" in the title. "Funky Broadway" was later covered by Wilson Pickett, resulting in a #1 R&B hit.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, the band got stranded in Phoenix, Arizona while backing the O'Jays. "Funky Broadway" was inspired by the club scene present at the time on Broadway Road in Phoenix.

Frontman and vocalist Arlester "Dyke" Christian (born June 13, 1943, Buffalo, New York) was shot to death March 13, 1971

[cyberida1]

clean broadway-thanx for nothing Giuliani

Billie Welles from Buffalo played lefthanded at one point w/ the Blazers and went on to the Outer Realm Unltd.-Chip on bass, Rick on trumpet, the late great Andy Hayes, (Otis) on keyboards and Jon Wheeler on tenor, Clint Sharman on trombone-Jaco at one point and a few more-Ft. Lauderdale in the 70's, Cleveland, NY and Connecticut

is the Phoenix Broadway is anywhere near the camelback lounge?

Rida

ps Rumor has it Dyke got offed in Freeport, Bahamas

[vjfelix28]

Noooo... Broadway is waaay south of there. On24th St, Broadway and Camelback are two different WORLDS. Night and day.

[fairalways]

Dirty, filthy Broadway....my favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite (get the picture?) soul tune EVER EVER EVER EVER! Gritty grimy smokey nasty sweaty da greatest breakdown carvedup bad, sweaty-assed cut. Thank you, Arlester Christian!

[opd7175opd]

Wasn't Al McKay (Earth, Wind and Fire) the guitarist in the Blazers?

[datsunparts]

Yes he was..but he was in Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd street band first. You know..Loveland, Express yourself and Do your do,do,do,do,do,do,do,dang do,do.. do your thing!

[funkycubicleguy]

Perhaps the funkiest band of all...totally and completely unheralded and unappreciated

I can't understand why

I hope that somebody will find and post some actual footage

[JoePublicFilms]

They were an opening act for the OJays. Got stranded in Phoenix. Frontman Arlester Christian was shot to death. Don't think it was on stage. Great band that would have no doubt done a lot more.

[artemisbell]

groovy..yeah...smokin'

[Marcojays]

Do you know that The O'Jays begun with Dyke & the

blazers?Really

[bdavis4226]

He was actually killed on the streets of phoenix... not too far from the the street of the famous song!

[dean2m]

The Street was in Buffalo, NY....

Broadway ....

Buffalo, NY

[breathingbongos]

There was a Broadway in Buffalo. But Dyke & the Gang were living at 24th Street and Broadway in South Phoenix and wrote this song about Phoenix's Broadway Road. Tony Davis was in the cool group The Odd Squad with ex-members of the Blazers. Check out their great single "Soul Power" on Minit from '69.

[funkysole808]

I heard that Dyke was tragically murdered on stage during a performance, is there any truth to that?

[lifter1545]

Is there any video of dyke and the blazers?

[bdavis4226]

Not sure, this was a late sixties group, They broke up after one tour and Dyke continued to perform. However the performer (Tony Davis) currently has a group in San Diego. Tony was asked to do this tribute to Dyke and the Blazers for the Arizona Hall of Fame.I am working to get more video of him and his current group.

Thanks!

[revup67]

there were on American Bandstand and made at least one appearance. I WISH I knew someone that had this

[the27s]

unfortunately the bandstand appearance was a lip-sync deal with Dyke and no Blazers. Would still love to see it though.

[tamcynthia]

Totally soul!

[mikgroove]

The guy singing is cookin'! The band sounds good too!

[bdavis4226]

Thanks that my older brother and the original band that recorded Funky Broadway (not Wilson Pickett)

[strandwolf]

@bdavis4226 Hi, do you know the name of the bass player on the song "Uhh" ?