Soul Funk Aretha Franklin began performing at a young age toured nationally with her father who was a famous preacher her signature song was Respect from 1967 written and originally recorded by Otis Redding James Brown credited as the creator of funk inspired many people and musical styles Motown artists Miles Davis disco hip hop rap first major hit Please Please Please 1956 Try Me live at the Boston Garden on April 5th 1968 Papa s Got A Brand New Bag considered the song that defined funk as a separate style sound emphasizes bass and drums It s A Man s World Luciano Pavarotti James Brown Isaac Hayes voice of Chef on South Park Theme From Shaft 1971 very open simple based off of a vamp driven by hi hat prominent wah wah guitar attitude nearly 2 minute intro to set up the line Earth Wind Fire formed to be a group that would purposefully blur genres used extensive laser light and pyrotechnic Shining Star mainstream commercial hit 1974 George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic had extensive stage shows first band was formed primarily from James Brown s bands lights lasers props many dancers heavily involved in drugs Flashlight 1978