Cordell ‘Boogie’ Mosson Dead, Parliament-Funkadelic Bassist Dies at 60

Parliament-Funkadelic bassist Cordell "Boogie" Mosson died last Thursday (April 18) at the age of 60.

According to The Star Ledger, no official cause of death has been given. Mosson provided the rubbery bass guitar groove that anchored so many of the classic P-Funk songs by Parliament-Funkadelic. The musician also played the drums and added his voice to the group's celebratory choruses ("We want the funk / Give up the funk").

Masson was born on Oct. 16, 1952, and grew up in Plainfield, N.J. along with the late P-Funk rhythmic guitarist Garry Shider. In 1970, the two relocated to Toronto to perform in the group United Soul, for which a young George Clinton was producing the band's tracks.

A year later, both Mosson and Shider would join Parliament-Funkadelic with Clinton as their leader. Mosson contributed both musically and vocally on the group's classic albums, including 'Mothership Connection' (1975), 'The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein' (1976) and 'One Nation Under a Groove' (1978).

When Parliament bassist Bootsy Collins left the group to pursue a solo career, Mosson took over on lead bass until Clinton disbanded Parliament-Funkadelic in the early 1980s.

P-Funk keyboardist Daniel Bedrosian wrote a touching eulogy on the band's official website, calling Mosson “the ultimate Funk theologian” and “one of P-Funk’s most pivotal and vital musicians.”

The memoriam partly reads:

Boog’s knowledge and understanding of Rhythm, the ONE, the Pocket, and the FEEL of P-FUNK, was UNMATCHED. We in Parliament-Funkadelic, wish to send our prayers to Boog’s family, and with extreme sadness, we say our worldly goodbye to our brother, our uncle, our friend, our teacher, our valued, trusted, master of musical expression…"

We want to send our heartfelt condolences to George Clinton, the musicians and family members of Cordell "Boogie" Mosson. May he rest in eternal peace.

Watch Parliament-Funkadelic Perform 'Give Up the Funk (Live)' Video