Legendary Funkadelic guitarist Harold Beane dies at 73

His guitar could be heard in many of the great soul songs of the 60s and 70s, and he became a Memphis legend. We are sad to report the death of Harold Beane, a musician who worked with a who’s who of artists, ranging from Isaac Hayes to Rufus Thomas to Funkadelic. He was 73.

The Memphis born Beane caught his first break working with Stax artist William Bell in the late 60s, but it was his electric, somewhat psychedelic work on Isaac Hayes iconic album Hot Buttered Soul that may be his best known – particularly his fuzzy solo on “Walk On By.”

He went on to work with other important Memphis artists such as Al Green and Eddie Floyd, before joining “the Mothership” and working with George Clinton and Funkadelic for a decade and a half.

Beane made his last major appearance at the Stax Musuem last Fall, performing his “Walk On By” solo from his wheelchair.

2020 has had a rough beginning, with the death of a number of important, often unsung, musicians and singers. Harold Beane certainly fits in that category, and will have a permanent place in the annals of soul music history.

By Chris Rizik

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Thanks to SoulTracker Tim for letting us know.

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