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{{Short description|American keyboardist and record producer (1944–2016)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Bernie Worrell
| image             = Bernie Worrell - SociaLibrium, Vienna2009 a.jpg
| caption           = Worrell performing in Vienna in 2009
| landscape         = yes
| birth_name        = George Bernard Worrell, Jr.
| alias             = The Wizard of Woo
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1944|4|19|mf=y}}
| birth_place       = [[Long Branch, New Jersey]], U.S.
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|2016|6|24|1944|4|19|mf=y}}
| death_place       = [[Everson, Washington]], U.S.
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Funk]]|[[rhythm and blues|R&B]]|[[psychedelic rock]]}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Musician|record producer}}
| instrument        = {{hlist|Keyboards|piano|organ|synthesizer}}
| years_active      = c. 1970–2016
| label             = 
| past_member_of    = Parliament-Funkadelic, Talking Heads, CBS Orchestra, Bernie Worrell Orchestra
| website           = {{URL|bernieworrell.com}}
}}

'''George Bernard Worrell, Jr.''' (April 19, 1944 &ndash; June 24, 2016)<ref name=theguardian>{{cite news|last= Sweeting|first=Adam |title= Bernie Worrell obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/26/bernie-worrell-obituary |access-date= November 9, 2016|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 26, 2016}}</ref> was an American [[Keyboard instrument|keyboardist]] and record producer, best known as a founding member of the [[Parliament-Funkadelic]] collective, and a touring member of the [[Talking Heads]] in the 1980s.<ref name=Pareles>{{Cite news |last=Pareles |first=Jon |date=2016-06-24 |title=Bernie Worrell, Whose Keyboards Left an Imprint on Funk and Hip-Hop, Dies at 72 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/arts/music/bernie-worrell-whose-keyboards-left-an-imprint-on-funk-and-hip-hop-dies-at-72.html |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He also worked with such producers and musicians as [[Keith Richards]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweeting |first=Adam |date=2016-06-26 |title=Bernie Worrell obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/26/bernie-worrell-obituary |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> [[Yoko Ono]], [[Bill Laswell]], [[Yasiin Bey|Mos Def]], [[Sly and Robbie]], [[Fela Kuti]] and [[Cream (band)|Cream]]'s [[Jack Bruce]]. ''The New York Times'' journalist [[Jon Pareles]], described Worrell as "the kind of sideman who is as influential as some bandleaders" and stated that his music "indelibly changed the sound of funk and hip-hop."<ref name=Pareles /> Worrell was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1997 as a member of Parliament-Funkadelic, along with 15 other members the band.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parliament-Funkadelic |url=https://rockhall.com/inductees/parliament-funkadelic/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmOmNz5Ak-g |title=Parliament-Funkadelic's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech {{!}} 1997 Induction |date=2020-06-15 |last=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=2025-06-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> He also appeared with the [[Talking Heads]] when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBr0FJsDk1g |title=Talking Heads perform "Life During Wartime" at the 2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony |date=2020-04-27 |last=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=2025-06-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Worrell was the uncle of rapper and actor [[Chino XL]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Chino XL :: I Told You So :: Metro Records|url = http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2001_09_itoldyouso.html|website = rapreviews.com|access-date = August 25, 2025|archive-date = September 24, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924084907/http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2001_09_itoldyouso.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

==Biography==

===Early life===
Worrell was born in [[Long Branch, New Jersey]], and grew up in [[Plainfield, New Jersey|Plainfield]], where his family moved when he was eight.<ref name=theguardian/> His father was a truck driver and his mother sang in church choirs. A musical [[Child prodigy|prodigy]], by age 3 he was taking piano lessons, at the age of 8 he wrote his first [[concerto]], and when he was 10 years old he performed with members of the Washington Symphony of Pennsylvania.<ref name=Pareles/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweeting |first=Adam |date=2016-06-26 |title=Bernie Worrell obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/26/bernie-worrell-obituary |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He studied at the [[Juilliard School]] and graduated from Boston's [[New England Conservatory of Music]] in 1967. The school awarded him an honorary Doctor of Music degree in May 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Commencement 2016 |url=http://necmusic.edu/commencement-2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606104036/http://necmusic.edu/commencement-2016 |archive-date=2016-06-06 |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=New England Conservatory |language=en}}</ref> As a college student, Worrell played organ with an Episcopal church, accompanied a Jewish men's choir and backed local group Chubby & The Turnpikes, the ensemble that eventually evolved into the [[disco]] act [[Tavares (band)|Tavares]].<ref name=Pareles/>

===1970s===
When Worrell first met [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]], Worrell was the musical director for the R&B singer [[Maxine Brown (soul singer)|Maxine Brown]].<ref name=Pareles/> At that time, Clinton, who was a native of Plainfield, was heading up [[The Parliaments]], a [[doo wop]] group based out of a local barber shop where he worked. The Parliaments, and their backing band [[Funkadelic]], moved to Detroit and were in the process of becoming two intertwind acts. They would go on to be known as [[Parliament-Funkadelic]] also known as [[Parliament-Funkadelic|P-Funk]]. Worrell moved to Detroit after being recruited by Clinton, to serve as their keyboardist, arranger and bandleader. He officially joined the band after appearing on their 1970 debut album [[Funkadelic (album)|Funkadelic]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweeting |first=Adam |date=2016-06-26 |title=Bernie Worrell obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/26/bernie-worrell-obituary |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> 

Worrell and Clinton collaborated on numerous songs, including the funk anthem "[[Flash Light (song)|Flash Light]]", which [[Rolling Stone]] ranked as #25 on the 200 Best Dance Songs of All Time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flash Light: Parliament : Rolling Stone |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/parliament/articles/story/6596044/flash_light |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001043906/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/parliament/articles/story/6596044/flash_light |archive-date=2007-10-01 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=www.rollingstone.com}}</ref> 

[[Parliament-Funkadelic]]'s futuristic sound can in large part be attributed to Worrell. P-Funk and their spin-off bands, including [[Bootsy's Rubber Band]], [[The Brides of Funkenstein]], [[Parlet]], and [[The Horny Horns]], made dozens of records in the 70s. He played on and wrote and co-wrote horn and rhythm [[arrangement]]s on recordings for most of them. Worrell played [[grand piano]], [[Wurlitzer electric piano]], [[Hohner Clavinet]], [[Hammond B3 organ]], [[ARP String Ensemble]] and [[Moog synthesizer]]. His unique sound and songwriting skills can be heard on such songs as: "[[Flash Light (song)|Flash Light]]" (which Worrell created using [[Minimoog]] synths), "[[Atomic Dog]]," "[[Chocolate City (song)|Chocolate City]]" (from the band's [[Chocolate City (album)|album of the same name]]), "[[Mothership Connection (Star Child)]]," "[[Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)]]," and "[[Standing on the Verge of Getting It On|Red Hot Mama]]."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweeting |first=Adam |date=2016-06-26 |title=Bernie Worrell obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/26/bernie-worrell-obituary |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> 

Worrell's synth lines for [[Parliament-Funkadelic]], and the associated bands, were so widely sampled throughout the 90s, specifically by [[Dr. Dre]], they became a bedrock of hip-hop and the West Coast [[G-funk]] sound.<ref name=Pareles/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Andrew |date=2016-06-24 |title=Parliament-Funkadelic Co-Founder Bernie Worrell Dies at 72 |url=https://variety.com/2016/music/news/bernie-worrell-dead-parliament-funkadelic-co-founder-1201803418/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chick |first=Stevie |date=2016-06-25 |title=Bernie Worrell – the keyboard genius who was 'as bad as Beethoven' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/jun/25/bernie-worrell-the-keyboard-genius-who-was-as-bad-as-beethoven |access-date=2025-06-22 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Worrell's use of the [[Minimoog]] bass on the Parliament 1978 song ''"[[Flash Light (song)|Flash Light]]"'' not only heavily influenced the sound of American [[R&B music]], but served as a bridge to [[New wave music|new wave]], [[New-age music|new age]] and [[techno]].  

In 1978, Worrell released his debut solo album ''[[All the Woo in the World]]'' on [[Arista Records]]. The album, produced by Worrell and [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]], featured members of [[Parliament-Funkadelic]] and [[The Brides of Funkenstein]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Edwards |first=Gavin |date=2019-08-30 |title=20 R&B Albums We Loved in the Seventies That You Never Heard |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/20-rb-albums-rolling-stone-loved-in-the-1970s-you-never-heard-164007/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kinley |first=Tim |date=2018-12-30 |title=The Woo Factor: "All the Woo in the World" Turns 40 |url=https://www.culturesonar.com/the-woo-factor-all-the-woo-in-the-world-turns-40/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=CultureSonar |language=en-US}}</ref> 

While funk musicians traditionally utilized electric keyboards, such as the [[Hammond organ]] and Fender [[Rhodes electric piano]], Worrell was the second recipient of the [[Moog synthesizer|Moog]] synthesizer created by [[Bob Moog]].<ref name="Kaye" /> He used the [[ARP Pro Soloist]] as well.<ref>{{cite web |first=Joe |last=Bosso |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/bernie-worrell-talks-vintage-synths-elp-parliament-funkadelic-talking-heads-and-more-576154/ |title=Bernie Worrell talks vintage synths, ELP, Parliament/ Funkadelic, Talking Heads and more |publisher=[[MusicRadar]] |date=June 11, 2013 |access-date=March 25, 2016 }}</ref> Worrell played synthesizer and digital keyboard <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures/bernie-worrell | title=Bernie Worrell }}</ref> on P-Funk songs throughout the 1970s, most notably "[[Mothership Connection (Star Child)]]" and "[[Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)]]" from ''[[Mothership Connection]]'' (1975) and "[[Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)]]" from ''[[Motor Booty Affair]]'' (1978).

===1980s===
In the early 80s, while P-Funk was on a hiatus from touring, Worrell was recruited to record and perform with [[Talking Heads]], along with other musicians, such as guitarists [[Alex Weir (musician)|Alex Weir]] and [[Adrian Belew]]. Worrell's experience and feel for different arrangements enhanced the overall sound of the band during their groundbreaking [[Stop Making Sense]] era. Though he never officially joined Talking Heads, he was a [[de facto]] member of the group for most of the '80s. He appeared on their 1982 live album ''[[The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads]]'' and on their 1983 breakthrough album ''[[Speaking in Tongues (Talking Heads album)|Speaking in Tongues]]'', which [[Rolling Stone]]'s David Fricke credited as "the album that finally obliterates the thin line separating arty white pop music and deep black [[funk]]."<ref>{{cite web|website=Rolling Stone|first=David|last=Fricke|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/speaking-in-tongues-188876/| title=Speaking In Tongues|date=June 9, 1983 | accessdate=October 24, 2025}}</ref>

He also toured with the band, performing in their iconic 1984 concert film ''[[Stop Making Sense]].'' Directed by [[Jonathan Demme]], the film is considered one of the best live music documentaries of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-27 |title=Why 'Stop Making Sense' Remains the Greatest Concert Film |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a54788/jonathan-demme-stop-making-sense-talking-heads/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Esquire |language=en-US}}</ref> Frontman [[David Byrne]] once said "Bernie changed the way I think about music, and the way I think about life."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Andrew |date=2016-06-24 |title=Parliament-Funkadelic Co-Founder Bernie Worrell Dies at 72 |url=https://variety.com/2016/music/people-news/bernie-worrell-dead-parliament-funkadelic-co-founder-1201803418/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Talking Heads]] officially disbanded in 1991, Worrell was invited to perform with them as part of their 2002 induction into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/flashback-the-talking-heads-reunite-for-one-night-only-20121023 |title=Flashback: Talking Heads Reunite for One Night Only |first=Andy |last=Greene |date=October 23, 2012 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=March 26, 2016 }}</ref>

In 1983, Worrell provided keyboard parts for [[Mtume]]'s hit song "[[Juicy Fruit (song)|Juicy Fruit]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/bernie-worrell-10-essential-tracks-from-the-p-funk-keyboardist-20160624 |title=Bernie Worrell: 10 Essential Tracks from the P-Funk Keyboardist |first1=Charles |last1=Aaron |first2=Mosi |last2=Reeves |date=June 24, 2016 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 2, 2016}}</ref> In 1984, Worrell co-produced [[Fred Schneider]]'s solo album ''[[Fred Schneider and the Shake Society]]'' and played keyboards and synthesizers on some of the album's tracks.[[File:Bernie Worrell-02.jpg|thumb|left|Worrell backstage in Cologne, Germany 1998]]

In 1987, he appeared on ''[[Casual Gods]]'', the critically acclaimed solo release from [[Jerry Harrison]] of [[Talking Heads]]. The LP featured the U.S. [[Album Rock Tracks]] chart hit "[[Rev It Up (song)|Rev It Up]]," which reached number seven and appeared in the film ''[[Something Wild (1986 film)|Something Wild]]''. He worked with Jerry Harrison on his other releases also.

===1990s–2010s===
From the late 1980s through the 2010s, Worrell recorded extensively with producer [[Bill Laswell]], including on [[Sly and Robbie]]'s 1987 ''[[Rhythm Killers]],'' the 1985 [[Fela Kuti]] album ''[[Army Arrangement]]'', and two albums in the 90s with jazz saxophonist [[Pharoah Sanders]], ''[[Save Our Children (album)|Save Our Children]]'' and [[Message from Home|''Message From Home'']].<ref>{{Citation |title=Fela Anikulapo Kuti - Army Arrangement |date=1985 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/6029597-Fela-Anikulapo-Kuti-Army-Arrangement |access-date=2025-06-21 |language=en}}</ref> He became a visible member of the [[jam band]] scene, performing at large summer [[music festival]]s, sometimes billed as "Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors," and later as "The Bernie Worrell Orchestra." Worrell frequently performed with [[Warren Haynes]]'s band [[Gov't Mule]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo0ExnHQYbg |title=Gov't Mule Performing "Cortez The Killer" - Irving Plaza, NYC - Record Release - 03/24/1999. |date=2013-08-29 |last=AJ Genovesi |access-date=2025-06-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Between the years 1989 and 2003, he appeared on several [[Jack Bruce]] albums, including ''[[A Question of Time (album)|A Question of Time]],'' ''[[Cities of the Heart]]'', ''[[Monkjack]]'', and ''[[More Jack than God]]''.

When ''[[Late Show with David Letterman|The Late Show with David Letterman]]'' launched in August 1993, Worrell was a founding member of the [[CBS Orchestra]], playing lead synthesizer. That following November, Worrell departed once the orchestra added a horn section.

In 1994, Worrell appeared on the [[Red Hot Organization]]'s compilation album, ''[[Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool]]''. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the [[AIDS]] epidemic in the African-American community,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://redhot.org/project/red-hot-cool-stolen-moments/ |title=Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool |publisher=[[Red Hot Organization]] |access-date=March 25, 2016 }}</ref> was heralded as "Album of the Year" by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,982060,00.html |title=The Best Music of 1994 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=December 26, 1994 |access-date=March 25, 2016 |url-access=subscription  }}</ref> 

In 2002, after meeting at the [[Bonnaroo]] music festival, Worrell joined forces with bass legend [[Les Claypool]], guitarist [[Buckethead]], and drummer [[Bryan Mantia]] to form the shortlived group [[Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains]]. They released one album, ''[[The Big Eyeball in the Sky]]''. 

Around that same time, Worrell joined the rock group [[Black Jack Johnson]] with [[Mos Def]], [[Will Calhoun]], [[Doug Wimbish]], and [[Dr. Know (guitarist)|Dr. Know]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX0uCutgwiI |title=Black Jack Johnson 01 |date=2008-10-22 |last=josefek |access-date=2025-06-22 |via=YouTube}}</ref> In 2004, the band, including Worrell, appeared on [[Yasiin Bey|Mos Def]]'s second studio album ''[[The New Danger]]''. That same year, he appeared in the documentary ''[[Moog (film)|Moog]]'', about synthesizer pioneer [[Robert Moog]]. The film featured [[Herbert Deutsch]] and several other Moog synthesizer musicians, including [[Keith Emerson]], [[Money Mark]], [[The Moog Cookbook]], and the band [[Stereolab]]. 

In 2009, he joined longtime Parliament-Funkadelic guitarist [[DeWayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight]], bassist [[Melvin Gibbs]], and drummer J.T. Lewis to form the band SociaLybrium, who toured Europe. Their album ''For You/For Us/For All'' was released on Livewired Music in January 2010. He toured with [[Bootsy Collins]], another major figure from [[Parliament-Funkadelic]], in 2011. 

From 2011 through 2015, Worrell performed with his group, The Bernie Worrell Orchestra.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweeting |first=Adam |date=2016-06-26 |title=Bernie Worrell obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/26/bernie-worrell-obituary |access-date=2025-06-20 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamar |first=Andre |title=Off to meet the wonderful 'Wizard of Woo' |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/entertainment/local/2013/05/30/off-to-meet-wonderful-wizard/45749069007/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=The News Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Breen |first=Mike |title=Music: The Bernie Worrell Orchestra |url=https://www.citybeat.com/news/music-the-bernie-worrell-orchestra-12213671 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Cincinnati CityBeat |date=April 9, 2013 |language=en}}</ref> The band, which was formed out of a partnership with a young New Jersey producer named Evan Taylor,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bernie Worrell: Wave From the WOOniverse out now, featuring unfinished, archived Worrell music produced by musical director, Evan Taylor – East Portland Blog |url=https://www.eastportlandblog.com/2025/01/08/bernie-worrell-wave-from-the-wooniverse-out-now-featuring-unfinished-archived-worrell-music-produced-by-musical-director-evan-taylor/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |language=en-US}}</ref> was known for appearance of special guests at their live performances, including [[Bootsy Collins]], Talking Heads and [[Tom Tom Club]] bassist [[Tina Weymouth]], Talking Heads guitarist [[Jerry Harrison]], Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club drummer [[Chris Frantz]], [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] keyboardist [[Jimmy Destri]], [[Minutemen (band)|Minute Men]]'s [[Mike Watt]], and [[Captain Beefheart]] guitarist [[Gary Lucas]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=dean |date=2013-07-10 |title=Jerry Harrison and Bernie Worrell Share the Stage in Mill Valley |url=https://jambands.com/news/2013/07/10/jerry-harrison-and-bernie-worrell-share-the-stage-in-mill-valley/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Jambands |language=en-US}}</ref> They released two albums, ''BWO is Landing'' and ''Prequel.'' <ref>{{Citation |title=Bernie Worrell Orchestra - Prequel |date=2014-05-10 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/14958064-Bernie-Worrell-Orchestra-Prequel |access-date=2025-06-20 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hopkins |first=Scott |date=2016-06-27 |title=Swing Down, Sweet Chariot: Bernie Worrell Returns to the Mothership • MUSICFESTNEWS |url=https://www.musicfestnews.com/2016/06/swing-down-sweet-chariot-bernie-worrell-returns-mothership/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=MUSICFESTNEWS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rolland |first=David |title=Bernie Worrell Remembers: "Talking Heads Wanted to Funk" |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/music/bernie-worrell-remembers-talking-heads-wanted-to-funk-6435012 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=February 17, 2014 |language=en}}</ref>  

In 2012 and 2013, Worrell also played a series of concerts with rock guitarist [[Steve Kimock]], [[Gov't Mule]] bassist [[Andy Hess]], and vocalist-percussionist Camille Armstrong. In 2013, Kimock's son John Morgan Kimock played drums for the group. 

In 2015, Worrell appeared in the movie ''[[Ricki and the Flash]]'' as Billy, the keyboard player in [[Meryl Streep]]'s band. The film, about a woman who leaves her family behind to join a rock band, reunited Worrell with director [[Jonathan Demme]], who had directed the [[Talking Heads]] concert film ''[[Stop Making Sense]]''.

== ''Wave from the WOOniverse'' ==
In 2024, ''"Wave from the WOOniverse"'' a posthumous double-album, was released, using unfinished tracks Worrell left behind. The album was produced by former Bernie Worrell bandleader Evan Taylor and contributors include [[Talking Heads]]'s [[Jerry Harrison]], [[The B-52s]]' [[Fred Schneider]], [[Sean Lennon]], [[Marc Ribot]], [[Fishbone]]'s Norwood Fisher, [[Mike Watt]], and [[Cibo Matto]]'s [[Miho Hatori]].<ref>{{Citation |title=RSD '24 Special Release: Bernie Worrell - Wave from the WOOniverse |url=https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/17849 |access-date=2025-06-20 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Aaron C. |date=2024-06-21 |title=Bernie Worrell: Wave From The Wooniverse—Q&A With Producer Evan Taylor of Loantaka Records |url=https://onewestmagazine.com/magazine/bernie-worrell-wave-from-the-wooniverse-qa-with-producer-evan-taylor-of-loantaka-records/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=One West Magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lipp |first=Marty |date=2025-02-21 |title=Friends help finish unreleased Bernie Worrell songs on posthumous album 'Wave From the WOOniverse' |url=https://www.njarts.net/friends-help-finish-unreleased-bernie-worrell-songs-on-posthumous-album-wave-from-the-wooniverse/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=NJArts.net |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Into Music: Evan Taylor |url=https://www.kmuw.org/podcast/into-music/2024-08-30/into-music-evan-taylor |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=KMUW |language=en}}</ref>

==Death==
In January 2016, Worrell was diagnosed with a "mild form" of prostate cancer, stage-four liver cancer and stage-four [[lung cancer]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/06/bernie-worrell-late-stage-cancer |title=Bernie Worrell diagnosed with late-stage cancer |first=Jessica |last=Goodman |date=January 6, 2016 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=March 25, 2016 }}</ref> He relocated from his longtime home in New Jersey,<ref>{{cite news |last=Jordan |first=Chris |title=In New Jersey, legendary keyboardist Bernie Worrell is never far from home |work=[[Asbury Park Press]] |date=June 21, 2012 |quote=Worrell has brought that sense of fun to millions across the globe, most notably as a member of Parliament-Funkadelic. In the upcoming weeks, his focus will be on his home state of Jersey. }}</ref> to [[Bellingham, Washington]].<ref name=Inside>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/inside-bernie-worrells-all-star-nyc-benefit-20160325 |title=Inside Bernie Worrell's All-Star NYC Benefit |first=Will |last=Hermes |author-link=Will Hermes |date=March 25, 2016 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=March 25, 2016 }}</ref>

A New York tribute and [[benefit concert]] at [[Webster Hall]], helped raise funds for Worrell's cancer treatment. Produced by the [[Black Rock Coalition]], the event featuring musicians and celebrities, including [[Meryl Streep]], [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]], [[Paul Shaffer]], [[Jerry Harrison]], [[Bootsy Collins]], [[Nona Hendryx]], [[Living Colour|Living Color]], and [[Jonathan Demme]]. It occurred on April 4 and 5, 2016.<ref name=Inside/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ebony.com/entertainment-culture/parliament-funkadelic-bernie-worrell-tribute |title=Black Rock Coalition Honors P-Funk's Bernie Worrell |date=March 2, 2016 |work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |access-date=March 25, 2016 }}</ref>

On May 9, Worrell's wife Judie posted an update on his condition on his Facebook page:

{{quote|As of Friday, Bernie can barely speak. Tumor has grown and Recurrent laryngeal nerve is pressing on vocal cord, paralyzing it. Treatment starts Tuesday to (hopefully) shrink tumor before it gets to other vocal cord and/or shuts down breathing. VERY difficult time for him.<br />
I am updating y'all because many asked BUT do not consider this an invitation to bombard us with treatment ideas. Bernie is deciding what treatment he wants. I will delete any more messages that do not respect his decision(s).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jambase.com/article/bernie-worrells-team-provides-update-keyboardists-worsening-health |title=Bernie Worrell's Team Provides Update on Keyboardist's Worsening Health |date=May 9, 2016 |work=jambase.com |access-date=June 18, 2016 }}</ref>}}

Judie Worrell issued a statement on Facebook on June 16 to friends and family that "I was just told that Bernie is now headed 'Home'."<ref name=Home>{{cite web |url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/06/legendary_keyboardist_bernie_w.html |title=Legendary Parliament Keyboardist Bernie Worrell's Condition Worsening, According to Wife, Judie |first=Nathan |last=Paige |date=June 17, 2016 |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |access-date=June 18, 2016 }}</ref> She encouraged people close to Worrell to "visit him to say your goodbyes" and added that he is too ill to speak on the phone or text.<ref name=Home/>

Bernie Worrell died at his home in [[Everson, Washington]], on June 24, 2016, at the age of 72.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kreps |first=Daniel |title= Bernie Worrell, Parliament-Funkadelic Keyboardist, Dead at 72|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bernie-worrell-parliament-funkadelic-keyboardist-dead-at-72-20160624 |access-date= 2016-09-27 |newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 24, 2016}}</ref><ref name=nydailynews>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/bernie-worrell-keyboardist-parliament-funkadelic-dies-72-article-1.2687214 |author=The Associated Press|title= Bernie Worrell, keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic, dies at 72|date=June 24, 2016|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|access-date= November 9, 2016}}</ref> His wife issued a statement 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."<ref name=Kaye>{{cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2016/06/r-i-p-bernie-worrell-keyboardist-for-parliament-funkadelic-and-talking-heads-has-died-at-72/ |title=R.I.P. Bernie Worrell, keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic and Talking Heads, has died at 72 |first=Ben |last=Kaye |date=June 24, 2016 |work=[[Consequence of Sound]] |access-date=June 26, 2016 }}</ref>

Following his death, guitarist [[Buckethead]] created a 21.5 minute long tribute song: 'Space Viking'. Buckethead published it on his 'Pike' series, as part of Pike 245. The song was captioned: "To Bernie Worrell, The Greatest Music Maker Of All".

==Documentary==
''Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth'' is a [[documentary film]] about Worrell's life, music and impact. At [[AllMovie]], critic Mark Deming wrote that the film "profiles his life and career while also examining how even a genius has to find a way to make a living".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/stranger-bernie-worrell-on-earth-v327523 |title=Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth |first=Mark |last=Deming |publisher=[[AllMovie]] |access-date=March 25, 2016 }}</ref>

==Discography==

===Solo albums===
{{refbegin|30em}}
*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 (Bernie Worrell album)|Standards]]''
*2013: ''BWO Is Landing'' (credited as "The Bernie Worrell Orchestra")
*2014: ''Prequel'' (credited as "The Bernie Worrell Orchestra")
*2014: ''Elevation: The Upper Air''
*2016: ''Retrospectives''
*2024: Wave From The WOOniverse{{refend}}

===Funkadelic===
{{refbegin|30em}}
*1970: ''[[Funkadelic (album)|Funkadelic]]''
*1970: ''[[Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow]]''
*1971: ''[[Maggot Brain]]''
*1972: ''[[America Eats Its Young]]''
*1973: ''[[Cosmic Slop]]''
*1974: ''[[Standing on the Verge of Getting It On]]''
*1975: ''[[Let's Take It to the Stage]]''
*1976: ''[[Tales of Kidd Funkadelic]]''
*1976: ''[[Hardcore Jollies]]''
*1978: ''[[One Nation Under a Groove]]''
*1979: ''[[Uncle Jam Wants You]]''
*1996: ''[[Live: Meadowbrook, Rochester, Michigan – 12th September 1971]]''
*2008: ''[[Toys (Funkadelic album)|Toys]]'' (recorded 1970–74)
*2014: ''[[First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate]]''
{{refend}}

===Parliament===
{{refbegin|30em}}
*1970: ''[[Osmium (album)|Osmium]]''
*1974: ''[[Up for the Down Stroke]]''
*1975: ''[[Chocolate City (album)|Chocolate City]]''
*1975: ''[[Mothership Connection]]''
*1976: ''[[The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein]]''
*1977: ''[[Live: P-Funk Earth Tour]]''
*1977: ''[[Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome]]''
*1978: ''[[Motor Booty Affair]]''
*1979: ''[[Gloryhallastoopid]]''
*1980: ''[[Trombipulation]]''
{{refend}}

===Selected contributions to other albums===
{{refbegin|30em}}
*1981: [[Jerry Harrison]], ''[[The Red and the Black (album)|The Red and the Black]]''
*1982: [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]], ''[[Computer Games (album)|Computer Games]]''
*1982: [[Talking Heads]], ''[[The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads]]''
*1983: Talking Heads, ''[[Speaking in Tongues (Talking Heads album)|Speaking in Tongues]]''
*1984: Talking Heads, ''[[Stop Making Sense (album)|Stop Making Sense]]''
*1983: [[Rita Coolidge]], ''[[Never Let You Go (album)|Never Let You Go]]''
*1984: [[Fred Schneider]], ''[[Fred Schneider and the Shake Society]]''
*1985: [[Fela Kuti]], ''[[Army Arrangement]]''
*1985: [[The Golden Palominos]], ''[[Visions of Excess]]''
*1986: [[Ginger Baker]], ''[[Horses & Trees]]''
*1987: [[Jerry Harrison]], "[[Casual Gods]]"
*1987: [[Jesse Rae]], ''The Thistle''
*1992: [[Praxis (band)|Praxis]], ''[[Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis)]]''
*1995: [[Jack Bruce]], ''[[Monkjack]]''
*1995: [[Julian Schnabel]], ''[[Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud]]''
*1995: Third Rail ([[James Blood Ulmer]] & [[Bill Laswell]]), ''[[South Delta Space Age]]''
*1996: [[Pharoah Sanders]], ''[[Message from Home]]''
*1998: [[Robben Ford]], Tiger Walk 
*1998: Live... With a Little Help from Our Friends [Gov’t Mule]
*1998: Pharoah Sanders, ''[[Save Our Children (album)|Save Our Children]]''
*2001: [[Shin Terai]], ''[[Unison (Shin Terai album)|Unison]]''
*2004: [[Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains]], ''[[The Big Eyeball in the Sky]]''
*2004: [[Mos Def]], ''[[The New Danger]]''
*2005: Munkeez Strikin' Matchiz, ''Wreck It'' (with [[Bo Diddley]] and [[Chuck D.]])
*2006: [[Gigi (singer)|Gigi]], ''Gold & Wax''
*2006: [[Baby Elephant]], ''Turn My Teeth Up''
*2007: Shin Terai, ''Lightyears''
*2007: Praxis, ''[[Tennessee 2004]]''
*2008: Praxis, ''[[Profanation (Preparation for a Coming Darkness)]]''
*2008: [[Science Faxtion]], ''[[Living on Another Frequency]]''
*2009: [[Eric McFadden|Eric McFadden Trio]], ''Delicate Thing''
*2016: [[Joe Marcinek|Joe Marcinek Band]], ''Slink''
*2017: [[Jesse Rae]], ''Worae''
{{refend}}

==Awards==
*Independent Music Awards 2013: "Get Your Hands Off" - Best Funk/Fusion/Jam Song<ref>{{cite web |url=http://independentmusicawards.com/blog/2013/06/11/12th-annual-independent-music-awards-winners-announced/ |title=The 12th Annual Independent Music Awards Winners Announced |publisher=Independent Music Awards |date=June 11, 2013 |access-date=March 25, 2016 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.bernieworrell.com/ Official website of Bernie Worrell]
*[http://www.sethlind.com/stranger/ ''Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth'']
*[http://artistconnectionpodcast.libsyn.com/episode-274-bernie-worrell Interview] at Artist Connection Podcast, October 2011
*[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/bernie-worrell Bernie Worrell Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Collection]] (January 2012)
*{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7416554/bernie-worrell-best-moments |title=10 Definitive Bernie Worrell Moments |first=Michaelangelo |last=Matos |date=June 24, 2016 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2898249/bernie-worrell-obituary/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627234214/http://www.mtv.com/news/2898249/bernie-worrell-obituary/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 27, 2016 |title=How Bernie Worrell Built Our Musical Future |first=Carvell |last=Wallace |date=June 27, 2016 |publisher=[[MTV News]] }}
;[[Live Music Archive]]
*[https://archive.org/details/BernieWorrell Bernie Worrell]
*[https://archive.org/details/BernieWorrellandtheWOOWarriors Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors]
*[https://archive.org/details/BernieWorrellOrchestra Bernie Worrell Orchestra]

{{P-Funk}}
{{Parliament}}
{{Funkadelic}}
{{The Golden Palominos}}
{{1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Worrell, Bernie}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:African-American rock musicians]]
[[Category:American funk keyboardists]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band members]]
[[Category:Juilliard School alumni]]
[[Category:Musicians from Washington (state)]]
[[Category:New England Conservatory alumni]]
[[Category:P-Funk members]]
[[Category:People from Bellingham, Washington]]
[[Category:People from Hampton, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Musicians from Long Branch, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Musicians from Plainfield, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Talking Heads]]
[[Category:The Golden Palominos members]]
[[Category:The Pretenders members]]
[[Category:Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains members]]
[[Category:Praxis (band) members]]
[[Category:21st-century American keyboardists]]
[[Category:Deadline (band) members]]
[[Category:20th-century American keyboardists]]
[[Category:Gramavision Records artists]]