Bernie Worrell

Bernie Worrell (born George Bernard Worrell, Jr., April 19, 1944 – June 24, 2016) was a keyboardist that played with Talking Heads from 1980-1984. A founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic, Bernie was known for his innovative incorporation of the synthesizer in dance music. He was cited as a key influence to Talking Heads' before ever joining the group.

By the late 1970's, there were a number of internal problems within Parliament-Funkadelic that lead to Bernie looking for other musical opportunities. In 1980, he would join Talking Heads on tour to support Remain in Light, first performing with the band at Heatwave Festival on 1980 August 23. His influence on the band during this time can be seen in the increasingly dance-oriented music they produced following the 1980-81 tour.

Bernie would last play with the band at Sweetwaters South Festival on 6 February 1984, the final live touring performance of Talking Heads. Although he did join the band for their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction on 18 March 2002.

Bernie would die on June 24, 2016, with his wife Judy issuing a statement of Facebook that "Bernie transitioned Home to The Great Spirit. Rest in peace, my love—you definitely made the world a better place. Till we meet again, vaya con Dios."

Biography

In 1983, Worrell would meet bassist Jonas Hellborg through mutal friend Bill Laswell. Between 1986 and 1987, Worrell would play alongside former Cream drummer Ginger Baker as well as bassist Jonas Hellborg on a European tour. According the Hellborg, these live appearances were the only jamming the band did, having recorded work separately for an unreleased album and never had any other rehersals.

In 2013, after a "chance meeting" between Worrell and Tlingit artist Preston Singletary, the two formed the band Khu.éex’. They would release several albums before Worrell's death in 2016.

Discography

Main Article: Bernie Worrell Discography

Solo Albums

• 1978: All the Woo in the World
• 1990: Funk of Ages
• 1993: Blacktronic Science
• 1993: Pieces of Woo: The Other Side
• 1997: Free Agent: A Spaced Odyssey
• 2007: Improvisczario
• 2009: Christmas Woo
• 2010: I Don't Even Know
• 2011: Standards
• 2013: BWO Is Landing (credited as "The Bernie Worrell Orchestra")
• 2014: Elevation: The Upper Air
• 2016: Retrospectives
• 2024: Wave From The WOOniverse

With Talking Heads

• Jerry Harrison, The Red and the Black
• The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads
• Speaking in Tongues
• Stop Making Sense
• Jerry Harrison Casual Gods

Live Shows

See also: Bernie Worrell Concert History