Beverly Hills, CA. (Top40 Charts/ HAL Foundation) - The Funk Brothers, Motown's original house band, have been named the recipients of the prestigious 2008 Heroes and
Legends Legacy Award. This award is presented by the HAL Foundation and honors timeless accomplishments of historical importance. The remaining active members Eddie Willis, Uriel Jones and Bob Babbitt will be honored at the 19th Annual HAL Awards and Scholarship Dinner, which will be held on
September 28th at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The Legacy Award is one of 9 awards bestowed upon individuals who have made positive accomplishments and achievements for at least 15 years. Founder Janie Bradford explains: "The Funk Brothers carved a niche in music history by playing an integral part of the "Motown Sound." Over the years, even though the members continued to change, it seemed that each replacing "Funkster" constituently kept the same feeling and emotion in the music, thereby, keeping that unique, special packaged "Detroit Sound" alive and strong. Now as well known all over the world as the artist that they played behind, Eddie Willis, Uriel Jones and Bob Babbitt are all still riding the wave of "fame" from the identify of that special sound created in the late 50's throughout the 60's. Amazing."
Even though most people are not familiar with the Grammy-award winning The Funk Brothers, everyone has heard them. Listen to your favorite song by the Temptations, The Four Tops, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles or Marvin Gaye, and there they are. They played on more No 1 records than The Beatles, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley combined, although you may not know their names.
The Funk Brothers defined the Motown sound of the 1960's, which fused gospel; soul and pop were Motown's backing group from 1959 through 1973, during the label's golden era. These unsung heroes would record the tracks in day-long recording sessions, sometimes not even knowing who would ultimately sing the song.
The Heroes And Legends Scholarship Foundation was created by celebrated songwriter and Motown Alumna, Janie Bradford to aid "at risk" youth and to publicly recognize others who share her vision. The foundation's goal is twofold: First, to help talented young people in the community realize their lofty but attainable dreams of shaping careers for themselves in one of the many performing arts. Secondly, HAL spotlights positive role models from many diverse backgrounds, including leaders in the fields of music, theatre, motion pictures and business each year at the Annual HAL Awards and Scholarship Dinner.
For more information on the Heroes and Legends Awards, please visit the website: www.halawards.com.
