| BLOOD BROTHERS
The differences between the four Neville Brothers are as dramatic
as the similarities that unite them. The source of the similarities
is passionate funk, a feeling for blues-soaked deep pocket grooves
that is the basis of their greatness and exalted place in our cultural
history.
Art is the oldest. They call him Poppa Funk for a reason. He formed
the first band. As both inspired singer and blistering keyboardist,
his role models were Fats Domino and Bill Doggett. Art is the Founding
Father. He still lives in the same Thirteenth Ward block of Valence
Street where he and his siblings were raised in New Orleans.
Charles is a year younger than Art. His religions are bebop and
Buddhism. His instrument is the saxophone. At fifteen, he was the
first brother to leave home and hit the road, playing with everyone
from the Rabbit Foot Minstrels to B.B.King. They called him "The
Boy Wonder of Sax." He went to Memphis and returned home with
a new stew of blues.
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