The Highlighters was a funk band from the U.S. city of Indianapolis with minor hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The Highlighters | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, Funk |
| Years active | 1963–1971 |
| Past members |
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History
editThe Highlighters was originally formed in 1963 by jazz musicians at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, Indiana.[1] After three of the band members were drafted to fight in the Vietnam War, the band reorganized as a funk band with new members. Their songs Poppin Popcorn and The Funky 16 Corners were regional hits in Indiana.[1]
When the band's original drummer, James "Porkchop" Edwards, returned from Vietnam, he sought to rejoin.[2] Conflict over this led to the band dissolving in 1971.[1] Many of the band's members would continue in the music industry, like Dewayne "Funky Buzzard" Garvin, who would perform as a drummer for artists like Marvin Gaye.[3] In 2010, trumpeter Clifford Ratliff was inducted into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame.[4]
The band's songs were re-issued in the 1990s,[1] and became popular with collectors.[2] Funky 16 Corners was included on a 2001 compilation album of the same name. It was also featured on the soundtrack of the action movie Hit and Run (2012).[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Highlighters Band". Indiana Musicpedia. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Highlighters". All Music. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ "Dewayne Garvin: The Legend of the Funky Buzzard". WFYI Public Media. May 15, 2022. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
- ^ "Clifford Ratliff". Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
- ^ "Hit & Run (2012) - Soundtrack.Net". www.soundtrack.net. Retrieved 2024-06-15.