(June 5, 2016) We’re sad to report the death of drummer extraordinaire, Nate Neblett, a founding member of the Nite-Liters and New Birth, but also a session drummer who worked with a seemingly endless list of soul music greats from the 70s and 80s.
During his most productive years, Neblett’s always on point drum work supported such luminaries and Phyllis Hyman, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Tavares, The Supremes, Gary Bartz, O.C. Smith and many more. He was also loosely part of the Parliament-Funkadelic family, and his late wife, Mallia Franklin, was a member of the group Parlet. He was also the father of photographer and singer Seth Neblett.
The Nashville to Louisville to Detroit to Los Angeles drummer fashioned for himself one of the strongest discographies of work of any drummer of that period, and he will be remembered for his role in some of the greatest music of a generation. His always steady beat will live on.
By Chris Rizik
