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Garry Shider, Parliament-Funkadelic Guitarist, Dead at 56

Garry ShiderWhen George Clinton's twin-engine funk machine Parliament-Funkadelic was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, 15 members were named. Besides Clinton himself, none was more responsible for P-Funk's exuberant music than Garry Shider, the band's long-running guitarist, musical director and -- dressed only in a diaper -- lead superfreak. Shider died Wednesday at age 56 due to complications from brain and lung cancer, according to Newark, N.J.'s Star-Ledger.

Shider, who first found music in church, met Clinton in the New Jersey barbershop where the P-Funk universe was hatched. After a brief stint in Canada, where he cofounded a group called United Soul (US), Shider returned to the Garden State and joined Clinton's entourage full-time.

Over the years he co-wrote several P-Funk songs, had featured roles on such classics as 'Cosmic Slop' and 'One Nation Under a Groove' and collaborated on side projects by P-Funk colleagues including Bootsy Collins and Eddie Hazel.

But Shider was best known as Diaper Man, the fearless entertainer who always took the stage in a cloth diaper. In the wild costume party that broke out every night at P-Funk shows, Shider was always front and center, representing the eternal child for the Mothership Connection.

Shider is survived by his wife Linda.

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GOHBABY2

I MARRIED INTO GARY SHRIDERS FAMILY AND I AM A WIDOW TOO NOW. I CAN REMEMBER GARY COMING TO OUR HOUSE WHEN HE WOULD BE HOME FROM HIS TOURS FOR VISIT WITH HIS COUSIN AND WE USE TO HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME JUST TALKING AND LAUGHING ABOUT ALL THE SHOWS MY SITER WHO IS DEAD AND GONE TOO AT A MUCH TOO YOUNG OF AGE (28) DUE TO MS. BUT JUST TO HAVE GARY AT MY HOME EVEN THOUGH HE WAS FAMILY MAN THAT WAS SO EXCITING. HE WOULD EVEN TO SOME OF THE ANNIVERSARIES MY HUSBAND AND HIS FAMILY CHURCH GROUP WOULD HAVE EVERY YEAR. WE WOULD LOOK UP AND LOOK WHO WAS WALKING IN THE CHURCH,NONE OTHER THAN GARY, WITH HIS WILD COLORS AND COLORFUL HAIR AND WILD SUNSHADES. WE WOULD BE SO EXCITED. YES WE ARE GOING TO MISS ONE OF THE GREATEST. I WENT TO FT. DUPONT THIS PAST SATURDAY AND THE OHIO PLAYERS DID A TRIBUTE TO HIM AND YES WE DID REPRESENT. IT WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!WE JAMMED!!! REST IN PEACE GARY!!! MAY YOUR MEMORIES AS THE DIAPER MAN LIVE ON!!!

August 10 2010 at 10:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rudog

RIP Gary, one of the greatest ever. You'll always be good to the earhole.

July 04 2010 at 8:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rezfu2

Gary was one of the greatest entertainers that I have ever had a chance to meet R.I.P remember "if you see my mother tell her I'm alright tell her I'm just funking around" Words of The great Glen Goins and my man Gary. May the funk be with you

June 29 2010 at 1:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MR. B.

JUST SAW CLINTON W/THE ALLSTARS IN APRIL AT THE DALLAS HOUSE OF BLUES, AND WONDERED WHERE WAS GARY. I HAVE ATTENDED MANY P-FUNK SHOWS OVER THE YEARS, AND NOT ONE TIME WAS I DISAPPOINTED. GARY WAS ALWAYS DIAPER MAN. SOMETIMES WITH THE PACIPHIER. MAD MAD SKILLS GARY!
R.I.P.

LOYAL P-FUNK FAN

June 24 2010 at 3:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Glenn Marshall

I was saddened by the news of his passing. I am astounded by some of the ignorant and insensitive comments posted here. I've seen Garry perform more times than I can count and hardly a day goes by that I don't listen to at least one song that Garry was a part of. I will never forget one show at the old 9:30 club when Garry handed me the mic to sing verse of Undisco Kidd ! I am a musician that has always been inspired by this music called P. Funk. I am so happy that I have so many recordings of Garry (and all of the funkateers who have passed too soon). I feel bad for all of the people who have not had the joy of experiencing the talent of Mr. Garry Shider.

June 23 2010 at 8:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Donald B

The Essence of the U.S.Funk Mob. Check out Garry, at his best on the LP cut,Soulmate off the Hardcore Jollies LP. Thanks Garry,(Recording Angel)RIP.

June 20 2010 at 3:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kswiss442

P-Funk forever. I remember him from back in the early 70's. Maggot Brain, You and Yo Folks, American Eats' It's Young. True classics for the Funkadelics. P-funk will live forever but it just won't be the same without Gary(Diaperman)Shider.God Bless Him.

June 20 2010 at 6:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bootsy Collins

Garry, we will always miss you and hold you close and dear to our hearts. You are a Master Funkateer and I am glad I got to travel, play and vibe about the ups and down in this maze of Funk-Stration.
The music kept us on the One for a long time. You are loved and you are Missed. Bootsy Collins and funkateers across the Universe!!!

June 19 2010 at 11:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Bootsy Collins's comment
Tony Cooper

Bootsy, Hope All is Well With you, Had you in rochester, Ny (twice) and Buffalo... Back in Mothership
Connection/Rubber Fans and Funkateer Days...

Contact me w/current info @ poklite@yahoo.com...

P.S. Have you seen Bone lately?

Much peace and Love to you...

Remember My retrieval of your Snatched Star Glasses?

Tony Cooper...

June 20 2010 at 12:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
D.J.Mr.Funky aka JVF

My Heart truelly goes out the Family and Our Extended Family.All that is ,was,or ever will be Funky will forever be His Legacey.Sadly I never met Him,I wasnt ever able to get Back Stage thus Stopped going to Shows some 5yrs or so. R.I.P. G Loved Your Talents & Spirit.Y-town's Mr.Funky Jeff Fuller.

June 19 2010 at 10:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marlowe Riley

Swing low sweet chariot stop and let me ride...The double Birthday of the OG's, George and Gary,singin' on the bus...Gospel, Green and The Mothership....Fly Gary..LET US FLY!!!



June 18 2010 at 5:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply