Rodney Skeet Curtis

Published on
May 31, 2024 at 10:28:08 AM PDT May 31, 2024 at 10:28:08 AM PDTst, May 31, 2024 at 10:28:08 AM PDT

Rodney 'Skeet' Curtis

BIO

Rodney 'Skeet ' Curtis is a funkadelic powerhouse. His playing incorporates elements of funk, R&B , and jazz into an unmistakable style. Born in Baltimore on September 7th, Rodney 'Skeet ' Curtis has played with some of the funkiest bands of all time including Parliament/Funkadelic, The Brides of Funkenstein & George Clinton, the P Funk Allstars, and now with Maceo Parker not to mention numerous television appearances and movies scores.

How did you get you start in music?

I played around my hometown in the early to middle 1970's where I met a lot of fine musicians who would one day be greats in the music industry.

What were some of your first gigs?

One of my very first gigs was with a jazz keyboard player named Julius Brockington who's drummer happened to be Chester Thompson (Genesis). In the mid 1970's, I played in a band called Uncle Remus that included the great Dennis Chambers on drums, Kevin Oliver (P-Funk) on guitar, Greg Thomas (P-funk) on saxophone, and Eban Kelly (Grammy award winning producer with too many credits to mention).

How did you met met George Clinton?

During my time in Uncle Remus I met Gary "Mudbone" Cooper who later went on to become lead singer with Bootsy's Rubber Band. In 1977, while P-funk was on tour, "Bone" was recording in Detroit with George Clinton when the subject of a bass player to record for the not yet formed "Brides of Funkenstein" came up. Bone mentioned my name and got the OK from GC to give me a call to do some recording sessions.

How did that first meeting go?

George was so impressed with my playing, that he asked if I would be interested in hanging out on the road with the FUNK and maybe playing a couple of songs onstage until something happened with the "Brides". One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I was a featured member of Parliament / Funkadelic with enough clout to get some of my musician friends in the band including Dennis, Kevin, The P- Funk Horns, Jeff Bunn & Gary Hudgins. And with a little time off here and there, P-FUNK is where I played until December 1998.

What was next after P-Funk?

Then a call came from yet another fine musician that I worked with, Mr. Maceo Parker. And that’s where I find myself at the current time.

Welcome on board, Rodney!

Check out Rodney here on his Facebook page.

Rodney's Gear

"Thanks for saving my back with this strap."
-Rodney 'Skeet' Curtis