Dyke & The Blazers

Biography

Dyke & The Blazers was a pioneering American funk band formed in 1965 in Phoenix, Arizona, led by Arlester "Dyke" Christian, a Buffalo, New York native. Christian began his musical journey playing bass in Carl LaRue and his Crew, a Buffalo-based band, before relocating to Phoenix where he joined forces with local musicians to create Dyke & The Blazers. Their early sound was heavily influenced by the innovations of James Brown’s band, blending riff-based improvisation, gritty guitar, jazzy horns, and Christian’s distinctive hoarse vocals into what became known as "gut-bucket funk."[1][7]

The group quickly gained local acclaim and recorded their breakout single "Funky Broadway" in 1966, notable for being the first charting record to use the word "funky" in its title. The song’s success propelled them onto the national stage, reaching No. 17 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 65 on the pop chart. The original lineup dissolved in 1967, but Christian continued recording under the Dyke & The Blazers name, collaborating with top Los Angeles session musicians, including members of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. Their subsequent hits, such as "We Got More Soul" and "Let A Woman Be A Woman, Let A Man Be A Man," further cemented their reputation as funk innovators.[1][7]

Tragically, Arlester Christian’s career was cut short when he was fatally shot in 1971 at the age of 27. Despite this, Dyke & The Blazers' influence endured, with their music being sampled by hip-hop artists and covered by major soul acts. Their raw, energetic style helped lay the foundation for the funk genre and inspired generations of musicians.[1][5][7]

Fun Facts

• "Funky Broadway" was the first charting single to use the word "funky" in its title, and was banned by some radio stations as offensive.
• Arlester Christian developed a dance routine to accompany "Funky Broadway," contributing to its popularity.
• After the original band split, Dyke & The Blazers' records were created from lengthy jam sessions edited down for release.
• Dyke & The Blazers' music has been widely sampled by hip-hop artists, including Tupac Shakur and Stetsasonic.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• James Brown - Stylistic influence; Dyke & The Blazers adopted rhythms, bass, and organ innovations from Brown's band (General influence on Dyke & The Blazers' early sound) [1965-1966]

Key Collaborators

• Alvester "Pig" Jacobs - Original guitarist and founding member (Funky Broadway, early singles) [1965-1967]
• J.V. Hunt - Original saxophonist and founding member (Funky Broadway, early singles) [1965-1967]
• Bernard Williams - Tenor saxophonist, member of The Three Blazers who merged into Dyke & The Blazers (Funky Broadway) [1965-1967]
• Rich Cason - Organist, member of original lineup (Funky Broadway) [1965-1967]
• Rodney Brown - Drummer, member of original lineup (Funky Broadway) [1965-1967]
• Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - Studio musicians backing Dyke after original lineup split; included James Gadson, Al McKay, Roland Bautista (We Got More Soul, Let A Woman Be A Woman, Let A Man Be A Man) [1968-1970]

Artists Influenced

• Wilson Pickett - Covered "Funky Broadway," making it a No. 1 R&B hit (Funky Broadway (cover)) [1967]
• Tupac Shakur - Sampled Dyke & The Blazers' music in hip-hop productions (Various sampled tracks) [1990s]
• Stetsasonic - Sampled Dyke & The Blazers' music in hip-hop productions (Various sampled tracks) [1980s]
• The Heavy - Sampled Dyke & The Blazers' music (Various sampled tracks) [2000s]
• Diana Ross and the Supremes & The Temptations - Covered "Funky Broadway" on collaborative album (Manufacturers of Soul (1968)) [1968]
• Jackie Wilson and Count Basie - Covered "Funky Broadway" (Manufacturers of Soul (1968)) [1968]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Let A Woman Be A Woman - Let A Man Be A Man (Dyke's Greatest Hits - The Complete Singles)
2. We Got More Soul (Dyke's Greatest Hits - The Complete Singles)
3. Funky Broadway Part 1 (The Funky Broadway)
4. Funky Walk Part 1 (East) (Dyke's Greatest Hits - The Complete Singles)
5. You Are My Sunshine (Dyke's Greatest Hits - The Complete Singles)
6. The Wobble (Dyke's Greatest Hits - The Complete Singles)
7. Black Boy From the Ghetto (Rarities Volume 1 - Phoenix to Hollywood)
8. So Sharp (The Funky Broadway)
9. It's Your Thing (Rarities Volume 1 - Phoenix to Hollywood)
10. Runaway People (Dyke's Greatest Hits - The Complete Singles)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz