Motown & Funk Brothers Guitarist, Joe Messina - FULL INTERVIEW
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- Опубликовано: 28 май 2020
- This interview was filmed in Detroit, MI on May 14, 2005. Joe was one of the most prolific guitarists in Motown Records' in-house studio bands, The Funk Brothers.
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Dang. Never seen this video before of my papa. Thanks for sharing though. I’ll see him on Wednesday... people. He still plays as good as he did 50 years ago. My brothers and I watch him play a lot still at his house. He turns 92 this December and he looks the exact same as he does in this interview. Awesome.
Thanks for sharing this Adam... Tell Joe this Joe says hello.. I spoke to him on the phone about a month ago... he still sounds the same too... I still want to add one of his guitars in our Motown exhibit.. best... Joe(Chambers)
I’m glad he’s well. I grew up listening to your papa on the radio
hi from me too
adam who at your house plays piano and does your dad have any thoughts about who stole James jamersons bass
Are y'all any relation to country singer Jo Dee Messina?
Back in the 90s when I lived in Detroit, before the internet was readily available, I did a lot of research, drove by important addresses, met different former Motown employees. This interview was a treasure!
Great interview.
Joe Messina passed away on April 4, 2022, at the age of 93. That leaves percussionist Jack Ashford as the last survivor of the famous “Funk Brothers.”
Yeah Jack Ashford is the last Funk Brother alive gosh Joe Messina was a bad guitarist( in a good way) all of them so talented and knew their craft.
R.I.P. Joe Messina. I was fortunate to see him play for The Funk Brothers in Manchester. His smile was radiant and will live with me forever. A fantastic guitarist and as much a part of the sound as James Jamerson.
My Dad, Don Slaughter, was a trumpet player and also a "Funk Brother". He played on many Motown sessions as well. My Dad has known Joe Messina since they were teenagers on the east side of Detroit.
thanks dad
Where at on the east side. I always lived on east side, from the black bottom to the North End, to Van Dyke & Charlevoix, to Nevada & Dequindre. Then I left at 18 and went to the military
@@regsmith7604 Small world- I grew up on Dequindre btw State Fair & Lantz. Dad grew up on Crane St btw Forest & Canfield.
@@mcs4357 I went to Nolan Jr. High at one time, at 1150 E. Lantz. That school is still there. I used to walk to and from there, from Fleming & Minnesota Sts. Winters were bad! We used to walk on the side of the street with sun ☀️And, I had some cousins on my father’s side on Crane St., about 10-15 houses south of Mack.
@@regsmith7604 I went to Nolan from 1968-1970, Pershing from 1970-1973.
He's an honest and humble guy. Just tells it exactly like it doesn't have a problem saying "i don't know." He is legendary.
RIP Joe M & all the Funk Bros...Thank all of you for putting great sounding music in our ears for all these years!!..I was sad to hear of Joe's passing on Apr 4 & this video was the 1st thing to come to mind when I heard..
Joe, you're a national treasure to post these fascinating look-backs at history. Thanks so very much !
Hi Jan... Very kind of you to say this. It was my pleasure to make these interviews all these years for the museum. I used a little of a few of them in the museum but most have never been seen. I certainly never thought they could be seen by so many people when I made them. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel... Best....Joe
I totally agree. Intelligent and insightful questions of the valuable people behind the scenes who don't always get the recognition they deserve. I enjoy this channel more than any other that I subscribe to. Thank you so much!!
What a legend , the Joe Messina.
RIP Joe Messina. It was a good run for a good guy.
At that time, Detroit had one of the best corporate funded high school music programs in the country. The Big 3 Automakers were huge patrons of music in the high schools and created a great musical talent pool to draw from.
"Standing in the shadows of Motown" is an awesome DVD for those who haven't seen it..Berry Gordy went to the Jazz part of Detroit took the best jazz players then went to the blues part of Detroit took the best blues players put them together and called them the Funk Brothers, they played on more number one hits then the Beatles-20 Elvis Presley-18 The Rolling Stones-8 and the Beach Boys-4 combined, they were a hit making machine who never got the recognition they deserve because they were always playing behind the curtan.. most people did not know who they were, And yes I'm glad to be a detroiter!
EVERLYSHADY STUDIOS>You mentioned B Gordy sought out musicians from the "jazz part of Detroit" and the "blues part of Detroit." Motown also sought out musicians from, I guess you could say the "classical part of Detroit," namely the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Some of its members "moonlighted" on MANY recordings. I just wanted to give a shout out to those players who also made significant contributions, but were not always mentioned.
@@delstanley1349 absolutely brother!
It is a great DVD, but I wish they would have shown the entire live set instead of snippets.
@@laj043 You can get the cd that has the entire performances. It's great!
Yes, it was "awesome" but it was also sad. Those musicians were not paid well at all, even for the times. Several had or developed addiction or alcohol problems. And when the label moved to L.A. some, if not most, were lost in the shuffle or did not want to leave Detroit. The Motown story is amazingly inspirational but remember the old saying printed on the Gordy singles? "It's What's in the Groove that Counts". There was joy and excitement and pop music magic in those grooves, but also tragedy. I was hoping this man would be more specific as to his favorite records to have played on, but appears he looked at the whole thing as just a gig. The Wrecking Crew was not as humble as these Motown cats.
My uncle was Larry Veeder, guitarist. He played as a Funk Brother and with Joe Hunter. I assume he and Joe Messina would have known each other. We knew he had played with Jackie Wilson and Mary Wells. Uncle Larry would bring fellow musicians to our house after gigs, when I was a young child. I wish I knew who they were.
Hello Velaine, how are you doing, i hope you had a great day. I'm Thomas from Virginia, just looking for new friend and i saw your pic here OK!
Happy Mary Christmas.
Berry had a wonderful ear. He built a company with that ear.
If you ever get the chance,check Joes playing on The Soupy Sales show,1955,amazing jazz chops
Such well humored gentleman. A pleasure to listen to his stories.
Hi Rene... Yes .... Joe is a pleasure to hang with.... Thanks... Joe
Thanx Joe for that insight. The guitars of Motown was so important in that music. Before. I actually found out there were 3 guitarists, I was trying to learn all of the parts. Your talent brought that extra spice to a track. Whether flamingo, jazz, or basic rhythm you filled out a song. Thanx for all of those tracks.
The fact that they sometimes doubled the bass lines with guitar is interesting. Imagine trying to get that bass tone not realizing there was also a guitar on there.
Rest In Peace ☮️ and thank you for sharing your talent with the entire world 🌎 and I appreciated your talent Joe Messina.
what a humble guy, and he played such an important part in music history. I like that elephant story, and I thought I heard every excuse in the book. Thank you for posting.
I always wanted to hear from Mr. Messina...awesome interview!
❤❤honoring you Joe Chambers. You are so very appreciated, and so much missed
These guys are the best at what they do, I remember Motown tunes back from the 60s and learned a lot listening to these Cats..
'
Fantastic interview Joe! I would love to have heard some of the stories that Joe Massina couldn't discuss in front of a camera. He definitely had to be an amazing guitar player or they never would have kept him playing on those sessions. Listening to him talk about his experiences during those motown sessions, you can tell how much he enjoyed every minute of it. What a great guy! Thanks for posting this interview.....
Hi Steve.... Yes Joe is a very nice man not to mention musician. One of the most pleasant people I’ve ever known.
Thanks as always for your supporting us.... Best, Joe
mee too and mee three
The same thing was going on at Muscle Shoals, and in California with the "Wrecking Crew". Great musicians and lots of hits.
True,also at Stax Records with Booker T and the Mg's and Philadelphia's TSOP.....all great in their own right. 🎸🎷🎻🎺🥁📯🎶🎵🎼
Carol kaye was the backbone of the wrecking crew..
And in New York too!
@@milanfernandez1667 So she would have you think or believe; not to take from her in any way.
very true
Much like the feeling I had when I went to "Sun" before the tours. I had an almost "Holy" experience when I stood in the recording studio at Motown. I am so thankful and appreciative for this vault series Joe. 👍🏻😎
Thanks for watching David... joe
"Holy" feeling describes it! I went to Memphis on business. Had the week end to myself. Stax. Sun. Beale St. The Delta. Gibson. I kept saying to myself "This is where American music came from. Blues. Rock. Soul. Pop There was the divine spark!"
Joe Messina was an amazing musician and a great guy! Thanks you for so many beautiful songs and so many good memories!
A mix of proud and humble. Great interview!
Another great interview, what a great sense of humor, keep em coming!💫
Motown would have been above average without the great talented Funk Brothers. They made Motown great, memorable, extraordinary🤩 You know a Motown song from just the first few chords before any of the fabulous vocals. Put the vocals and wonderful music together you have greatness! History! They should have all been millionaires!
A legendary gifted GUITARIST!!🎸
Thanks for showing this!!
Awesome
Made my day finding this. Thanks for posting.
Ive become friends with Joe ! He's so Nice He plays Jazz Everyday and still SO GOOD ! We talk often and I treasure every minute !
Love this series.
One the Greats!!!!!
Thanks for the upload. What a sweet guy!
Another great interview! Thanks Joe!
Love love love love. I have the video and I've watched it many times over the years since I purchased the DVD.
What a treat. Love hearing these stories from behind the scenes. Lovely fella Thanks for this!
Fantastic! Great to ear the story!!!
Thanks from Paris France.
RIP Joe.
Fantastic & historical... What a great player and person. Thanks for posting these interviews - I love it!
Thanks Key....Joe
amazing!
Excellent interview , nice guy . Btw that Jazzmaster neck is '66/'67 due to block inlays & transition Fender logo 👍
I visually dated it as a '66 due to the reasons you've stated, but also because the neck is bound and the tuners are double row Klusons. By 1967 there would have absolutely been F Tuners (made by Shaller) on the neck. The Jaguar and the Jazzmaster being the top of the line were always the first to have the latest "updates."
I would have to agree with Joe. I feel the Jazzmaster neck fits my hand better than a tele neck....personal choice, as not everyone would agree.
I just looked at the day of this. Joe took good care of himself. Sometimes that does not happen in music.
well it helps to have not been a boozer or a druggy
@@jennifursun3303 That is true.
Cool interview... Thanks :)
Fantastic history of Motown session players/jazz greatness like W. Coast Leon Russell Great Times where did the music go " on the road " 👣 Do It All
Great documenting
Thanks Nick.....Joe
wooow! thank you MHFM!!! My dad got me "standing in the shadows of motown" when I was 12. Loved it. This is great!
I enjoyed this!
Thank you.
Thanks Larry………..Joe
Dang, it fascinates me to hear this. Can you imagine cutting all those records in a studio now, and the boss says "this amo is for all four of you guys, 3 guitarists and a bass? How many hits would come out now? LOL Hell, how many musicians could even do it?
Fascinating musician, jovial guy. Also loved your well-expressed observation to one of the commenters about the workmanlike relationship to the music that the session men had. Another important piece of oral history. Good job.
Thank you Tusk....... Joe
Amazing details! Thanks for your site great.
Hi 1...... Thanks for watching... Joe
"No music, just chord sheets" That's how you bring the beauty and creativity out of the session musicians.
Thanks for watching Curtis……Joe
I enjoyed this one and learned a lot !!!! Thx!
Thanks for watching Jim.... very much appreciated...Joe
Rest in peace Mr. Messina.
Thanks for the music.
These guys were my hero’s
Great interview.
Thanks Seven.... Best... Joe(Chambers:)
Great interview Joe... thanks for posting this !!
Thanks Sirone...... More coming in next few days. Best..... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Many thanks Joe !!!
Great interview very interesting how they played and recorded those fantastic tracks. Love the hybrid Tele \ jazzmaster.
You make our state of MI proud. This is where, it all began.
Thanks for watching Brenda... Joe
I always wanted to visit motown, but, no car makes it hard. Its been a dream of mine, for a long time.
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum im so proud of all of you. The legend, the memories. When music was real.
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum my dream, was to go see motown, so many stars gone,
Thank you so much for this interview. I met them in 1966. Thank you !
Your welcome Tony.... Joe
Thank you Mr. Joe Messina for your contribution to the Funk Brothers and the distinctive Motown Sound. You guys were musical geniuses!!
Thanks for watching ra.... Joe C.
Rip, Mr. Messina. Your guitar work was essential for the sessions in which you participated, especially the songs where your guitar playing doubled James Jamerson's basslines, as can be heard on Martha Reeves & The Vandellas "Dancing In The Street" and Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell "Your Precious Love", as well as many of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songs, such as Four Tops The "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There", and The Supremes "Stop! In The Name Of Love" and "The Happening". Your passing leaves percussionist Jack Ashford as the last surviving member of The Funk Brothers, although many of The Funk Brothers's associates, such as Dennis Coffey and Paul Riser, are still alive. Regardless, you'll be forever missed. Rest in peace.
Great,especially about hearing him play with the great jj
RIP, Joe....thanks for the music...
Very interesting interview, and such a congenial man. I wish he had played his guitar.
Great Content
Thanks Morrisman... Joe
Great. Loved the photo of the in house guitar(s)/bass amp that fed the console.
Hi Buzz... yes the Motown engineers built it... Joe
Awesome. Good stuff Joe!
Thanks Joe..............best, Joe
Thank you Joe for all this! Just thank you. My wife n I are going to make a pilgrimage to Nashville to visit your museum.
Thanks Cat.... look forward to seeing you guys... Joe
Amen, berry gordy, amen. If we could turn back time.
Fantastic interview.....
Thanks Morris.... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum You’re welcome Joe...really enjoyed this
Man oh man I can not stop smiling . I met these men 1966 . The whole band at LEOS CASINO . What a treat for me to have been on stage with these men. Thanks Man.
Thanks Tony.... Best, Joe
Excellent 👍👍🎸🎸 Joe Chambers
Thanks Richard..... Joe
Peace on, Sir.....!
What a great laugh! It's a contagious laugh. Another great interview. Thanks, Joe!
Thanks again for watching Rick....... Joe
Another terrific video .. thanks Joe :)
#theMasters
Thank you a2zme .... Joe
All the guitarists for the Funk Bros were great ... has anyone heard of “little” Billy Cooper he is given credit for playing on one of the 1st Temps albums All Directions. Joe (as well as Eddie Willis) is also given credit as guitarist on this album. He has changed his name to Wali Ali but is still very active in Boston, an amazing guitarist and vocalist. Thanks for a great interview.
Thanks for watching William...Joe
Man!.....Great Stuff!
Thanks for watching Jim... best, Joe
The Jazzmaster neck on Joe's Tele should have the date of manufacture stamped on the end of the neck heel, if he ever wants to verify the year it was made.
Great info in this video, and Joe seems like a cool guy!.
Hi Alan... thanks for watching and supporting our channel. I thought the neck was a 66 too with the logo and it didn’t have the “F” tuners they started in 68. Are you a vintage collector? Best, Joe
I’m glad he cleared up the story of the studio closing abruptly. I really felt bad for those guys even though it was I good while ago, but it’s nice to know that in reality they were given a month’s notice,
I've heard that some were told but others didn't know
me too i also had heard that they didn't know either
@@jennifursun3303 Well, I heard that too actually after I posted my comment . Apparently not all of them knew because some showed up to work only to find that it was closed. What a shame. Sadly it still happens, not just in the music business, but in general. A lot of times even business managers are unaware their company is closing its doors. That’s just cruel and unfair I think, regardless of the reasons. I hate to see that happen to good hard working people.
@@ronpippin1084 had that happen up here where i live they did that with a CVS store and never told the employee I agree about it not being fair
OOH TO HAVE BEEN THERE would so love to meet Mr Joe
Thanks for watching Jennifur.... Yes Mr.Joe is now 90 years old... maybe more:) but looks and sounds the same... Joe
Okay, call me crazy. I’ve just finished watching the interview with Mr Messina. I loved his music. I cherish our few conversations. He is a living legend…and… a good man, real good man!
Thanks for watching Ga…. Joe
Thank you Joe for this channel respect... The neck 66 or 67 im saying curious on the body year..i could listen to hours of this.. I want to know abut his TV gig before Motown.. I wish they all would give stories and info on their nightclub gigs.. These guys lived in another world.. Respect to this channel... More more more
Hi Robert,
Google Soupy Sales... it will tell you all about the T.V show Joe played on in Detroit. Thanks for watching.... Best, Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum yes sir i know that i just wish he went in depth with stories of it all more i wish there was a documentary or interviews about the nightclub gigs the funk brothers did while doing Motown.. I could listen to hours. Your channel with these interviews is the best direct source of information from these musicians i have found. Thank you for this channel respect
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr Messina several years ago after a Funk Brothers Show in Detroit. To date, he is one of the nicest pros I have ever met. In fact, because of his personality and kindness, and attention he gave to Mrs Messina, I had a crew do a fall cleanup a his Warren house. When he asked “why” is said because you’re Joe Messina, Warren’s special resident. Loved his special work on the Contours’ songs!
Gregg
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ga…. Joe
Ray Parker jr., in a recent interview, told the same story about playing thru that amp when he was at Motown.
I met Joe and his wife a few times, she was wheelchair bound the first time I met her. Sure, I didn't know their home life, but he really showed his devotion publicly.
He was really kind to me straight up as a musician and as a fan.
To think, I think Joe might be the final surviving Funk Brother. (No, not googling it.)
Hi Sean.... yes Joe is a very kind person. I think you’re right... he is one of maybe two original Funk Brothers still living. Best........ Joe
Jack Ashford is still alive. But they are the last 2 for sure.
Yes. My papa is still alive. I’ll see him this week. He turns 92 this December.
@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide true
@@lightwayacoustics wow he looks so good for his age except for Vin. Scully and Brian Wilson i would love to meet your dad the most got to talk to the late Eddie Willis and he loved your dad
❤️
Wòw! Thanks for this interview with one of the legendary Funk Brothers. It's always so informative so rewarding to hear the exact truth about being at Motown and being a member of the world famous FUNK BROTHERS. Thanks for sharing ❤
Hi Na’eem.... glad you enjoyed it. We also have Uriel Jones on our channel and will add Eddie Willis and others soon. Thanks for watching.....Best, Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum That's awesome! I have drum sticks autographed by Uriel and a friend of mine's was trying to setup an interview with Ed before he passed away but unfortunately he wasn't able to get direct contact with Ed. We live in Memphis and Ed was living in Mississippi not far from Memphis Tennessee. So I will be waiting for thoses videos to air. THANKS 🤗🤗🤗🤗
Yes.... I shot Eddie’s interview at his home in Mississippi. Best...... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum That's awesome! I am glad to know you were able to get an interview.
he and Jack Ashford are the only to origonal Funk left alive
An Italian playing Motown, who would of thunk it 😂😂😂😂😂
Look at Vince Montana with TSOP!
Home boy !! 😎🇺🇸⚓️
Benny and Pistol! Two of my favorite drummers!
Don’t forget Uriel! Best, Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Oh Yes!
Imagine you just got putting down and finishing dock of the bay a short time later Otis Redding gone! I wonder if Steve had thoughts of I could been on that plane! And hearing that song on air wave's right after crash! Hey Joe your interviews food for thought within the mind!
thats crazy to hear they never keeped in touch
Like Joe's energy he was passionate about his music.
Tele with a jazz master Neck. Now that’s something you don’t see every day.
Great interview!! When they show the 2 pictures of the 2 drummers they reference Bennie Benjamin and Richard “Pistol” Allen. The picture of the person on the right appears to be jazz drummer Sonny Payne.
Hi Slick.... Thanks for watching... Best, Joe
Yes that's exactly who that is
It’s crazy how music is .. Motown then the British Invasion.. Grunge .. you get these bursts of amazing talent in music .. but it rarely happens..
Met Joe in Bonn Germany during the Standing in the Shadow of Motown. My wife (Sicilian) and I walked back to the bus with him and Joe Hunter.. That must have the last tour for the FB’s European Standing in the Shadows of Motown tour. It was such a cool experience. I got a chance to get on stage and sing My Girl. Bob Babbitt was on bass, Uriel on drums. Ed Willis was there. Cool Jack Ashford and Billy Preston was on the scene. A really GREAT experience.
lucky you oh lucky you
@@jennifursun3303 lucky indeed.
Joe:
Thank you so much for posting this! You know I've been waiting for this for a long time.
I'm 99% certain that Joe's Jazzmaster neck is from 1966. The Telecaster control plate needs to be opened up so see what year the potentiometers are from. I don't think he would want us to look under the pickups for dates; and he probably wouldn't want the neck taken off to check the neck date.
Despite what he said, there is one modification: the standard 3 saddle Telecaster bridge was replaced by a Fender 6 saddle Telecaster. This was done for more precise intonation. I read an interview about where he mentioned this some years back; furthermore, this is easily be confirmed
by looking at photographs of Joe playing this one of a kind instrument. I've often wondered if the finish is original, as I've never seen a '60s era Fender in this color, whether new or faded; perhaps it is faded.
Something important Joe's sound is the extreamely heavy strings that he uses: LaBella Heavy Gauge flat-wounds, known as the Jazz Flats 20-PH: .015 .019 .025 .033 .044 .056. Yea; on a Tele!!! (Most sets like this would be .013 017.) All of the Motown guitarists used LaBella flat-wounds.
After plugging into the common amp, the guitars and Jamerson's bass were often run through a Fairchild 660.
Joe was supposedly a very good businessman. I read that he became a multi millionaire by investing in car washes throughout Detroit.
Hi Stu.... Thanks for your support and info about the guitar.... I think the finish is original. It looked that way when I played it after I finished the interview. If Joe was a multi millionaire he didn’t live like it. He had a very normal, very middle class home very well kept. Much like my parents house.That says a lot about him and many people of his age that lived through the depression and WW 2. Not showy... Just real down to earth people. I respect Joe greatly too for staying home... again like my Father , and took care of his invalid wife. ........ Best, Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum I really hope to meet him one day.
I lived in the Detroit area most of my life. I must say I never heard the car wash story.
@@cudaus1 Just something I read. I think it was in the "Standing In The Shadows of Motown" book. Could be inaccurate information. 🤔
Stu Pendous Music dang. You did your hw. I still work at the Carwash. My papas been retired of the Carwash business for a long time now. And no he’s no multi millionaire. And if he is. That’s news to me because he doesn’t act like it at all. He’s super modest. My papas been like that his whole life. But I’ll be seeing him on Wednesday. His guitar(s), are always sitting in his living room. He still plays the same way he did 50 years ago. He’s incredible. Thanks for the positive comments.