Keynote Highlight Reel

The Mothers of the Mothership

Natu Tweh interviews author Seth Neblett on WLRN Radio NPR/PBS (Miami & South Florida).  The funk collective Parliament-Funkadelic is often described as a wild, brilliant and world-changing musical collective. But when the group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, none of the women who helped create the sound and performed in P-Funk were invited to the ceremony, and their contributions have been largely overlooked.  A new book, Mothership Connected, sets the record straight.

Seth Neblett joins Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to tell the powerful, untold story behind Mothership Connected: The Women of Parliament-Funkadelic.  Seth is the son of Mallia Franklin (Parlet, The Brides of Funkenstein) and grew up inside the P-Funk universe. In this deep conversation, he reveals how the book began after encouragement from Bootsy Collins, the behind-the-scenes struggles of the women in George Clinton’s organization, and what life was like as one of the original “Mothership Kids.”

In episode 143 for Week 40 of 1985, we’ll discuss The Family's Screams of Passion, Sheila E.’s Holly Rock and Prince’s America. We will also talk with Seth Neblett about the release of the brand new book, The Women of Parliament–Funkadelic!

Seth Neblett's book Mothership Connected is a fascinating, first-hand look inside the mothership that was Parliament Funkadelic. (As well as the side projects The Parlets, The Brides of Funkenstein and many more.) Seth tells the stories of the women who were part of this one-of-a-kind group and allows them to explain their role. It's a fascinating read and easily one of the best music books of the year.  Mothership Connected is available right now from University of Texas press.

We were happy to welcome Seth into the lounge space to share the origins of Mothership Connected: The Women of Parliament-Funkadelic, his life as the son of Mallia Franklin (Parlet) and Nate Neblett (New Birth) and why it was important for this book to be written.  Mothership Connected: The Women of Parliament-Funkadelic is available at all book retailers now.