Con Funk Shun stands as a towering presence in the landscape of 1970s and 1980s R&B and funk music. Their infectious grooves and memorable melodies spawned numerous hit records, solidifying their place in music history. Among their impressive catalog, tracks like “Ffun,” a Billboard “1 With A Bullet” Top R&B single, immediately come to mind. But the story of Con Funk Shun extends far beyond just one song. This article delves into the rich history of the band, exploring their journey, their iconic Con Funk Shun Songs, and the enduring legacy they’ve left on the world of music.
Formed in 1969 in Vallejo, California, by high school friends Louis A. McCall and Michael V. Cooper, the seeds of Con Funk Shun were sown in youthful ambition and a shared passion for music. McCall’s drumming and percussion, combined with Cooper’s lead vocals and guitar, formed the initial core. Soon, their high school ensemble expanded to include Karl “Deacon” Fuller on trumpet and vocals, Paul “Maceo” Harrell bringing saxophone, flute, and vocals, Cedric Martin laying down the bass guitar and vocals, Danny “Sweet Man” Thomas on keyboards and vocals, and Felton “Slyde Clyde” Pilate adding trombone and lead vocals to the mix. This dynamic lineup, initially known as Project Soul, was brimming with talent and ready to make their mark.
In the early 1970s, Project Soul transitioned into a backing band for Stax Records artists, The Soul Children, gaining valuable experience in the music industry. This period marked a significant shift as they rebranded themselves as Confunkshun. Relocating to Memphis, Tennessee, they became highly sought-after studio musicians within the Stax Records ecosystem. To sustain themselves, Confunkshun honed their live performance skills, captivating audiences in clubs and colleges across the mid-South and even in Japan. Their dedication and growing reputation caught the attention of Estelle Axton, leading to a recording deal with her Fretone Records label, where they released an album and several singles.
By 1976, Con Funk Shun, as they were now known—a slight alteration in spelling suggested by drummer Louis McCall’s wife, Linda Lou McCall—had become a major force on the live music circuit. Their energetic performances packed clubs, festivals, and college events several nights a week. Finally, in July 1976, their persistence paid off when Mercury Records A&R representative Jud Phillips recognized their potential and signed them to a major recording contract. Their self-titled debut album, “Con Funk Shun,” dropped later that year, officially launching their era of mainstream success and bringing their unique sound to a wider audience eager for fresh con funk shun songs.
The release of their second album, “Secrets,” in 1977, propelled Con Funk Shun into the stratosphere of critical and commercial acclaim. “Ffun,” penned by Michael Cooper, became their breakout hit. It ascended the charts with incredible speed, reaching the coveted “1 With A Bullet” spot on Billboard’s Top Soul Singles chart in July 1977. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary decade-long run with Mercury Records, during which Con Funk Shun released 11 albums. Remarkably, five of these albums achieved gold status, each selling over 500,000 copies. The band’s electrifying live shows filled coliseums across the United States and Japan, cementing their status as major concert draws. They consistently delivered Top 40 hits, including iconic con funk shun songs like “Chase Me,” “Love’s Train,” “Straight From The Heart,” “Bad Lady,” “Shake & Dance With Me,” and “I’m Leaving, Baby.”
Con Funk Shun’s musical versatility was a key ingredient to their enduring appeal. They seamlessly blended high-energy funk anthems perfect for the dance floor with smooth, jazz-infused ballads. The vocal interplay between Michael Cooper and Felton Pilate, who alternated on lead vocals, added another layer of depth to their sound. Their 1981 album “7,” a milestone release named to signify their seventh album and the seven band members, showcased their artistic growth as musicians and producers. This album featured the ballads “Straight From The Heart” and “Promise You Love,” alongside their signature funk grooves in tracks like “Body Lovers” and the Billboard Top 20 R&B single, “Bad Lady.” A standout moment on “7” is Michael Cooper’s blistering rock guitar solo on Felton Pilate’s expertly arranged “California 1,” a song co-written by Louis McCall and his wife, inspired by Christopher Cross’s Grammy-winning hit, “Sailing.” This album truly exemplified the range of con funk shun songs.
“Burning Love,” released in 1986, marked the end of Con Funk Shun’s recording contract with Mercury Records. This album was created without Felton Pilate, who had departed in 1985. Despite the changing music landscape and declining record sales across the industry, Con Funk Shun’s live performances remained highly sought after globally. However, the close-knit camaraderie of the seven founding members, who had embarked on this journey together as young men, began to fray as they matured and developed differing visions for the future. While other record labels expressed interest in signing them, Michael Cooper, the band’s charismatic lead singer and songwriter, yearned to explore a solo career. Tragically, drummer Louis McCall began experiencing severe cognitive issues, stemming from the aftermath of a serious car accident he had survived at age 16, an accident that also nearly claimed the life of keyboardist Danny Thomas. Years of performing in front of deafening sound monitors, coupled with blinding migraines, had taken a toll. By the mid-1980s, the lack of adequate medical attention and rest due to relentless touring and recording schedules exacerbated his condition, leading to noticeable cognitive decline. Cooper, fueled by a long-standing jealousy of McCall’s business acumen and negotiation skills, saw this as an opportunity to push McCall out of the band, falsely claiming McCall had “lost his chops,” showing no empathy for his bandmate’s serious health struggles. Within a year, Con Funk Shun disbanded, leaving behind a legacy of incredible con funk shun songs.
Michael Cooper subsequently signed with Warner Bros. Records, achieving moderate solo success with songs like “Shoop Shoop” and “Dinner For Two,” which echoed the distinctive Con Funk Shun sound. However, his solo career never reached the heights he experienced with the band. Felton Pilate, a pioneer in home studio recording, transitioned into a successful producer and musical director, notably working with rap icon M.C. Hammer. He received a Grammy nomination in 1991 for co-producing Hammer’s smash hit “U Can’t Touch This” and an Oscar nomination in 1992 for “Addams Groove” from “The Addams Family” soundtrack.
Louis McCall sought and received proper medical treatment, managing to control his debilitating headaches. He then forged a successful career as an artist manager, consultant, and event producer, representing clients such as M.C. Hammer, Danny Glover, and Harry Belafonte. He also adeptly navigated the hip-hop genre, working with contemporary artists like Eminem, Puff Diddy, Mya, Three-6 Mafia, Tupac, T.L.C., Notorious B.I.G., and the Black-Eyed Peas.
In the 1990s, Michael Cooper attempted to revive his solo career, but audiences primarily wanted to hear the classic con funk shun songs. Subsequently, he invited Felton Pilate to join him, leveraging Pilate’s signature falsetto vocals, a hallmark of the band’s ballads. However, without consulting original band members McCall, Martin, Harrell, Fuller, or Thomas, Cooper began touring as “Confunkshun Revue” in 1994, featuring new musicians and often misspelling the band’s name. Fuller and Harrell eventually joined this iteration, but Harrell departed after years of feeling like a hired sideman under Cooper’s control. Cooper’s marketing materials often minimized or ignored the contributions of the other original members, a point of contention for many. In 2007, Louis McCall’s wife, Linda Lou McCall, proposed a “Con Funk Shun 40th Anniversary Reunion Tour” featuring the surviving original members. Instead, Michael Cooper organized a poorly attended “Boat Ride” event in 2008, excluding original members Cedric Martin, Paul Harrell, Danny Thomas, and Louis’s widow and family. Adding insult to injury, Cooper reportedly used copyrighted band photographs from Linda Lou McCall’s personal website in promotional materials without permission.
While the “Confunkshun Revue” continues to perform, it lacks the unique chemistry, instrumental tightness, and charismatic stage presence of the original lineup. Many fans attending these shows, hoping to experience the authentic Con Funk Shun, are often met with disappointment. Despite this, the revue perseveres, keeping the sound of con funk shun songs alive for new generations.
Tragically, Con Funk Shun founder Louis A. McCall, after relocating his family to the Atlanta area in 1995 seeking a safer environment, was murdered during a home invasion robbery on June 25, 1997, in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The case remained unsolved for years, undergoing multiple closures. His wife, Linda Lou, tirelessly advocated for justice, leading to a trial in 2008. However, a mistrial was declared due to a prosecution issue, and the case was later dismissed without prejudice, leaving the possibility of future charges if new evidence emerges.
The original con funk shun songs continue to resonate with audiences and receive regular radio airplay, particularly the soulful ballads “Love’s Train” and “I’m Leaving, Baby.” “Chase Me” and “Ffun” have been featured in films like “Gone In 60 Seconds,” “Next Friday,” and “American Pimp,” respectively. Most recently, “Honey Wild,” from their 1980 album “Spirit of Love,” was sampled by Lil Wayne for “Kush,” on his best-selling album “Tha Carter III – Deluxe Edition,” demonstrating the timeless appeal and enduring influence of con funk shun songs. Con Funk Shun’s music remains a vibrant testament to the golden era of funk and R&B, and their songs continue to be discovered and enjoyed by music lovers worldwide.
