Funkiest groove laid down by a white artist/band or predominantly white band

That old adage about 'white people can't play funk' certainly ISN'T true, and I've been thinking "hmm... what's THE funkiest song done by a Caucasian/s?" Here are 10 I can think of just off the bat - whether any of them is the funkiest, I'm not sure, but they are certainly insanely rhythmic:

1975: David Bowie - Golden Years
1977: Baccara - Yes Sir, I Can Boogie
1979: Blondie - Heart of Glass
1980: Queen - Another One Bites the Dust
1981: The Clash - The Magnificent Seven
1983: New Order - Blue Monday
1990: Madonna - Vogue
1994: Whigfield - Saturday Night
1996: Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity
1996: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Love Rollerocaster

 

Did you put that in to test us?!?

 

Have you never heard of the Average White Band?

 

They would get my vote though I also have a massive soft spot for Rare Earth.

And that is before we get to 3rd and 4th album Talking Heads.

 

Paul's Boutique through Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, too many to mention

 

Morris Albert -- "Feelings"

 

I checked a list of the 100 greatest funk songs and the highest one by a white band is Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music.”

 

There's easily as much funk(y) stuff by predominantly white bands, especially when you factor in jazz-fusion--Brecker Brothers, Chick Corea's Elektric Band, Tower of Power, Funk Factory, Jean-Luc Ponty, Jeff Beck, etc.

But tons of rock bands, and especially hard rock has a significant R&B and funk influence that's often overlooked for some reason (just like significant country influences are often overlooked, too). Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Soundgarden are a few prime examples.

And of course there are genres like funk or groove metal, rap rock, nu metal, etc.

 

Tom Scott

 

was there a funkier white band than Rare Earth. I love this band, especially their lengthy live stuff where they really showed how to groove and improvise.
Check out the live albums plus Ma, Get Ready, Ecology
Rare Earth pure funky groove

 

This man gets my vote.

 

How about some Cerrone?

 

First band I thought of when I read the title!

 

The Talking Heads, Burning Down the House (and many others)

 

The Dapps -- who backed James Brown on things like "I Can't Stand Myself," among other tracks, was as funky as any band on Earth ever was or could be, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.




The Dapps laid down many a funky groove, but none funkier than this one. I'm not sure anyone ever laid down a funkier groove than this:

 

I think Bowie´s Fame is funkier than Golden Years

 

This Joe Cocker tune was pretty funky. Written by Cocker and Chris Stainton (who presumably wrote the music). The band also included Neil Hubbard, Alan Spenner, Jim Keltner.

 

The O'Kaysions - Girl Watcher

 

The Stones Miss You

 

Drive My Car, Come Together & The Word by The Beatles are all worthy.

 

I always thought the intro to Black Sabbaths Hand of Doom was funky as hell. That drum beat is nasty.

 

Average White Band was my first thought. Second thought was I Can Understand It by Kokomo

 

The Mohawks - Champ

 

Weren’t Bowie’s band on Golden Years predominantly black?

 

One hit wonders Stretch and "Why did you do it?"

Very similar to what The Average White Band were doing.