George Porter Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Porter Jr.
Porter in 2024
Background information
Born	(1947-12-26) December 26, 1947 (age 77) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day
Genres	R&B funk
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter
Instruments	Bass vocals
Years active	1965–present
Labels	Rounder Transvideo

George Porter Jr. (born December 26, 1947) is an American musician. He is best known as the bassist and singer for the band the Meters.

George Porter Jr. and Art Neville started The Meters in the mid-1960s. They helped create a type of music called funk. The Meters broke up in 1977 but got back together in 1989. George Porter Jr. also has his own band called The Runnin' Pardners. He has played and recorded with many famous artists. These include Paul McCartney, Dr. John, Tori Amos, and Jimmy Buffett.

In 2008, Porter joined John Scofield's Piety Street Band. In 2010, he joined Bill Kreutzmann's band, 7 Walkers. He also played with his band, Runnin' Pardners, at the Voodoo Experience festival in New Orleans.

George Porter Jr.'s Life and Music

Early Life and The Meters

George Porter Jr.'s parents loved music. His dad listened to Duke Ellington, and his mom sang in the church choir. George grew up in New Orleans next to Joe "Zigaboo" Modeliste, who would later be his bandmate in The Meters. They became friends when George was 10. As teenagers, they played music together. George learned to play bass guitar from Benjamin "Poppi" Francis.

When George was still a teenager, he played with Earl King. After one show, Art Neville asked him to join his new band. George agreed, and this was the start of The Meters. At first, the band was called Neville Sound and had seven members. Soon, it became a four-person band with Art Neville, Zigaboo Modeliste, Leo Nocentelli, and George Porter Jr.

The band played six nights a week at a bar in New Orleans. Then, Allen Toussaint offered them a record deal. The record company wanted the band to change their name to something that fit their music better. They chose "The Meters."

By the early 1970s, The Meters were touring all over the country. They also played as studio musicians on many hit songs. These included "Right Place, Wrong Time" and "Lady Marmalade." In 1975, they toured as the opening act for The Rolling Stones.

George Porter Jr. remembers a special moment in 1976. The Meters were opening for the Rolling Stones in Paris. The crowd started to boo them. Then, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones came out. They supported The Meters and told the crowd to listen to the music. George said that moment helped The Meters keep going for a while. However, the band broke up in 1977 because of personal differences. After that, Porter Jr. started a band called Joyride.

After The Meters

In the 1980s, Porter played with Joyride and many other musicians in New Orleans. In 1989, he reunited with Art Neville and Leo Nocentelli as The Meters. In 1990, he started The Runnin' Pardners, a band that still plays today.

In the 1990s, Porter became a very popular bass player for studio recordings. He played with artists like David Byrne and Tori Amos. In 1994, Porter and Neville formed The Funky Meters to continue the Meters' sound.

2000 to Today

In 2000, the four original members of The Meters played a show together in San Francisco. In 2006, The Meters performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. This was the first Jazz Fest after Hurricane Katrina. Their reunion meant a lot to the city.

In 2012, Porter, Leo Nocentelli, Joe Modeliste, and Phish keyboardist Page McConnell played two concerts as The Metermen. They played a few more shows in 2013 and 2014.

Porter appears in the 2005 movie Make It Funky!. This film shows the history of New Orleans music. In the movie, he performs with Snooks Eaglin.

After Hurricane Katrina, Porter worked with other New Orleans musicians to tell people about the dangers of wetlands disappearing. This problem threatens the future of the city. Porter still tours often with The Runnin' Pardners, Joyride, and The Funky Meters. He also plays with the original members of The Meters, now called The Original Meters. He often works with other musicians from New Orleans.

In 2018, Porter played bass with Dead & Company at their New Orleans concert. He played on songs like "Smokestack Lightning" and "Bertha." He also sang lead vocals on "Sugaree." He also plays sometimes with Steve Kimock in projects like Voodoo Dead.

Personal Life

George Porter Jr. was raised Catholic. He once thought about becoming a priest.

Awards and Honors

George Porter Jr. has won many awards from OffBeat magazine, which focuses on New Orleans music.

OffBeat Best of The Beat Awards

Discography

Here are some of the albums George Porter Jr. has released:

• Runnin' Partner (1990), Rounder
• Things Ain't What They Used to Be (1994)
• Count On You (1994) - Japan release
• Funk This (1997), Transvideo - EP
• Funk 'n' Go Nuts (2000), Transvideo
• We Came to Play (2003) - as Johnny Vidacovich, June Yamagishi and George Porter Jr.
• Searching for a Joyride (2005), Night Train
• Expanding the Funkin Universe (2007), OUW Records - as Porter Batiste Stoltz
• It's Life (2007), Transvideo
• Can't Beat the Funk (2011)

Collaborations

George Porter Jr. has played on many albums by other artists:

• In the Right Place - Dr. John (Atco Records, 1973)
• Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley - Robert Palmer (Island Records, 1974)
• Nightbirds - Labelle (Epic Records, 1974)
• Desitively Bonnaroo - Dr. John (Atco Records, 1974)
• Keep On Lovin' You - Z. Z. Hill (Hill Records, 1975)
• Phoenix - Labelle (Epic Records, 1975)
• Patti LaBelle - Patti LaBelle (Epic Records, 1977)
• New Orleans Heat - Albert King (Tomato Records, 1978)
• Victory Mixture - Willy DeVille (Sky Ranch Records, 1990)
• Storyville - Robbie Robertson (Geffen, 1991)
• Uh-Oh - David Byrne (Warner Bros. Records, 1992)
• Soul of the Blues - Solomon Burke (Black Top Records, 1993)
• There's Room for Us All - Terrance Simien (Black Top Records, 1993)
• Under the Pink - Tori Amos (Atlantic Records, 1994)
• Boys for Pele - Tori Amos (Atlantic Records, 1996)
• From the Choirgirl Hotel - Tori Amos (Atlantic Records, 1998)
• Maestro - Taj Mahal (Heads Up, 2008)
• Bible Belt - Diane Birch (S-Curve Records, 2009)
• Good Road to Follow - John Oates (Elektra Records, 2014)

See also

In Spanish: George Porter, Jr. para niños