George Clinton Makes Triumphant Return To Newark School: Watch

NEWARK, NJ — It was a fitting tribute to the “Godfather of Funk.”

Last week – ahead of his 80th birthday concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Newark students and officials gave an eager welcome to George Clinton, the legendary band leader behind Parliament-Funkadelic.

One of the foremost innovators of 1970s funk, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer also has deep connections to New Jersey, and used to attend class at Avon Avenue Elementary School, where he was greeted with cheers and huge smiles on Thursday (watch the videos below).

Clinton’s arrival was met by local school and city officials, including principal Charity Haygood, who bestowed him with the honorary title of “Godfather Ram of Funk.”

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for returning and inspiring our scholars to be the best that they can be,” Haygood told Clinton.

Later, school superintendent Roger León and Mayor Ras Baraka were among those who spotlighted Clinton’s contributions to the city’s rich arts history.

“In honoring Mr. George Clinton, we not only honor him as the man and legend that he is, but we honor him as a student, one of ours,” León said.

“Can you imagine?” the superintendent continued. “He started everything he is and has accomplished here, as a student of Avon Avenue Elementary School.”

The musician also got a big round of applause from star-struck students, district administrators reported:

“Clinton was welcomed at the entrance of his alma mater by rows of students from grades K -2 lining the walls with streamers and music and applause, he was also guided into the cafetorium by a parade of students donning hula hoops, a nod to Clinton’s history. Students were encouraged to dress in their ‘funkiest’ clothes in honor of the musical icon, known for his out-of-this-world attire and costumes – while Clinton and guests were treated to a concert of his hits performed by the students. Clinton quickly joined, encouraging guests and participants to ‘get funky’ with him. The school’s orchestra performed the song ‘Flashlight’ while Clinton clapped and danced in his seat.”

Later, the bandleader chatted with his young admirers in a Q&A session, recounting his time at the school and the inspiration he got there from teachers and fellow students, which proved to be pivotal for the future of his career.

“It’s so crazy to me now, thinking back … looking at the students here, how small I was when the Parliament began,” Clinton said. “We were so young.”

After the jam session, the pièce de résistance of the day was unveiled: the school’s new band room – which was dedicated to the Godfather of Funk, and which included several musical instruments he donated for students at his former school.

The band room isn’t the only part of Avon Avenue Elementary that’s gotten a facelift in recent years. Other upgrades include a newly remodeled gym and the creation of a STEM lab.

Watch some videos of Clinton’s visit to Avon Avenue Elementary below.

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