Breaking Down Fatback’s “King Tim III (Personality Jock)” and the Work of Johnny “Flip” Flippen
In this episode, we’re diving into the first commercially released single that featured ‘Rap’ in 1979 (6 months before Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”).
Fatback, the incredible funk band that released it (Fatback) included Johnny “Flip” Flippen, the incredible bass player that multi-tracked an unforgettable groove – the first bass line in hip hop.
Let’s check out Fatback and how “King Tim III (Personality Jock)” became the first across the finish line in ’79.
Paul Thompson has been playing bass professionally for over 30 years, including recording and touring stints with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Recent playing credits include Bob Reynolds, John Pizzarelli, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, and Bob James, among others. Currently, he can be seen playing in and around the Pittsburgh, PA area with the THOTH Trio, the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, and many other musicians in the city's rich Jazz community. An educator of over 25 years, Paul currently teaches Jazz Bass at Duquesne University, West Virginia University, and his alma mater, Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 Performing Arts School.
Connect with Paul on Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and his website.
This is a most fascinating article and I watched the YouTube video as well. I have a friend who’s name is Ray Flippen and he is a professional bassist from Detroit. He was the bassist for a local band that had a splash on the charts. The band was called The Mac Band and they had a modest hit called, “Roses are Red”. I am now going to have to ask an awkward question… “Who was your daddy”. LOL.