Parliament-Funkadelic’s Fuzzy Haskins dead at 81

Parliament-Funkadelic singer and founding member Clarence Eugene “Fuzzy” Haskins has died at the age of 81. The news came today from Fuzzy’s Parliament bandmate George Clinton, who took to Instagram to pay tribute to the late artist.

“We are saddened to announce the death of an original Member of Parliament Funkadelic, Clarence Eugene “Fuzzy” Haskins (born 8 June 1941 – 17 March 2023),” the post’s caption reads.

Fuzzy and Clinton first began working together in 1960 when Fuzzy became part of Clinton’s doo-wop group The Parliaments. Parliament later evolved into Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s, but split from the group in 1976 due to financial and management differences. Despite this, Clinton still considered him family, according to Clinton’s website.

At the time of writing, no cause of death was known. Several musicians have taken to social media to pay tribute to Fuzzy.

“Rest in Funkentelechy, my brother,” said The Roots’ Questlove.

“Prayers go out to the family and friends of Clarence ‘Fuzzys’ Haskins,” said his P-Funk bandmate Bootsy Collins. “We lost his frequency today. 3-17-23. He was an original Parliamentarian/Funkadelic inducted into the RHOF. We will miss you my friend, bandmate & soul brother! Thanks for your guidance in my puppy year. Baby in Boots!!”

In 1997, Fuzzy was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The organization released a tribute from its Twitter account commemorating his legacy.

“As P-Funk kept pushing the boundaries and setting a futuristic tempo for black music on classic albums like Mothership Connection and Maggot Brain,” they said. “Haskins has maintained a connection to her harmonious street-corner roots.”