George Clinton to Retire From Touring
The mothership is preparing for its final voyage. George Clinton, the Parliament-Funkadelic mastermind, has announced that he will tour for one more year and then retire in May 2019.
“This has been coming a long time,” he said in a statement to Billboard. “Anyone who has been to the shows over the past couple of years has noticed that I’ve been out front less and less."
The 76-year-old Clinton said that his recent pacemaker surgery didn't play a role in his decision. He also seemed to suggest the band could continue without his direction. "Truth be told, it’s never really been about me," he added. "It’s always been about the music and the band. That’s the real P-Funk legacy. They’ll still be funkin’ long after I stop.”
Clinton's legendary shows aren't concerts as much as they are wild parties that blend psychedelic rock, deep funk, outrageous costumes and even, as documented on 1977's Live: P-Funk Earth Tour, a massive spaceship onstage.
Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic will play the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York tomorrow as part of the club's final weekend. Clinton has many dates booked in the U.S. and Europe throughout the summer, so check his website for full details on when he'll be making one last appearance near you.