George Porter Jr. : New Orleans Music Royalty

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient George Porter Jr. is a legendary bassist and key figure in the evolution of funk music. In 1965, he joined a band led by Arthur Neville that would become The Meters in 1967, alongside Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli, and Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste.

The Meters: Architects of Funk

The Meters earned their place in music history as progenitors of funk alongside Sly & The Family Stone and Parliament-Funkadelic. Their signature sound—characterized by syncopated polyrhythms and grooves rooted in New Orleans' deep African musical heritage—became instantly recognizable. Porter's heavy, fat bass lines created the rubbery foundation for the group's biggest hit, "Cissy Strut," from their 1969 self-titled debut album. The song reached #4 on the R&B charts and #23 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their greatest commercial success. The band recorded eight studio albums between 1969 and 1977. In addition to these studio records, they also released multiple live concert albums and various compilations.

As the house band for Allen Toussaint's New Orleans recording label and studio, The Meters backed numerous artists including Dr. John, Lee Dorsey, Earl King, Robert Palmer, and Patty LaBelle on her #1 hit song "Lady Marmalade." They toured with the Rolling Stones in 1975 and 1976, influencing generations of musicians from Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Beastie Boys. Porter and Modeliste's rhythmic work became particularly influential in hip-hop, sampled extensively by A Tribe Called Quest, Run-DMC, NWA, and Queen Latifah, among countless others.

Solo Career and Beyond

The Meters disbanded in 1977 after Art and Cyril Neville departed. In 1989 after an informal jam session at the 1989 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Porter and Art Neville reformed the band as The Funky Meters with Brian Stoltz on guitar/vocals, and David Russell Batiste Jr. on drums. They continuing touring and recording until Art Neville's death in 2019.

Porter established himself as a highly sought-after session bassist, collaborating with David Byrne, Jimmy Buffet, Tori Amos, Taj Mahal, John Scofield, Warren Haynes, and members of the Grateful Dead on both studio recordings and live performances, earning accolades for his versatile contributions across multiple genres.

He produced two solo recordings: It’s Life (2007) which features an all-star cast of guest performers, and Christmas in New Orleans: A Tribute to My Mother (2010).

The Runnin' Pardners

Following the 1984 New Orleans World's Fair, Porter founded his own band, The Runnin' Pardners, which remains active today. The group has released nine studio albums, including the debut on Rounder Records, entitled Runnin’ Pardner (1990), Funk This (1997), Funk’N’Gonuts (2000), Can't Beat the Funk (2011), Crying For Hope (2021), and Porter's Pocket (2025), along with various live recordings. The current lineup features drummer Terrence "Groove Guardian" Houston, keyboardist Michael Lemmler, and guitarist Chris Adkins.

The Meters Reunited

The original Meters reunited for a one-night stand at San Francisco's Warfield in 2000 and again in 2006 to headline the New Orleans Jazz Fest following Hurricane Katrina. The group performed sporadically between 2008 and 2017. Art "Poppa Funk" Neville retired from performing in 2018 and passed away in 2019. During the 2026 Jazz Fest season, the three surviving original members performed with Cyril Neville—a longtime member who joined the band in 1970—and Ivan Neville, who played keyboards and vocals in honor of his late uncle.

Legacy

Born and raised in New Orleans, Porter, now in his late 70s, continues to call the Crescent City home. The Meters' music and funk legacy live on through George Porter Jr. and his bandmates, past, present, and future.