Legendary keyboardist Bernie Worrell, better known as “Dr. Woo” passed away Friday, June 24 from lung cancer at the age of 72. Known as one of the founding members of Parliament-Funkadelic, Worrell was a synthesizer pioneer.
He was best-known for the innovative bass line he played on three connected Minimoog synthesizers in the 1978 Parliament song “Flash Light.” In the ’80s, he joined the Talking Heads and in the ’90s, his music was sampled by rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, who were profoundly influenced by George Clinton and company.
Worrell was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer earlier this year, yet this April took part in a benefit concert with George Clinton, Questlove, David Byrne and Meryl Streep. In June, however, his wife told the press Worrell had taken a turn for the worse. Sadly, he lost his fight, but his legacy lives on.
