A prominent name in ’70s funk and disco with a curious connection to house music has passed away. Hamilton Bohannon died at the age of 78 on Friday, April 24th per the Newnan-Times Herald. No cause of death has been released to the public at the time of writing.
Bohannon – who grew up in Newnan, Georgia – leaves behind a trailblazer legacy in the realm of funk. After touring with the likes of Stevie Wonder and the Motown Sound, he introduced a style of funk characterized by an overpowering four-on-the-floor beat in his 1973 debut effort, Stop & Go.
Late ’70s disco songs such as “Take The Country” to New York City,” and “The Hammer” stood out as Bohannon’s biggest commercial successes. Similar to the fate that would befall plenty of post-disco dance music, his early releases were more popular in the U.K. according to The Guardian.
Bohannon’s music was reimagined by key figures in house like Frankie Knuckles, DJ Pierre and Danny Tenaglia. His influence reached techno as well; Underground Resistance and Cashmere incorporated his samples into their music. Chicago writer Ronnie Reese cites said artists’ obvious admiration as evidence that “His repetition, open grooves, sample-ready pockets, big kick drum and raw bass were the foundation of house music.”
Memorial and funeral arrangements are still pending according to Hamilton Bohannon’s family.
