Before Parliament-Funkadelic and before Sly Stone took funk mainstream, there was Dyke and the Blazers. Formed in the mid-1960s, this group helped define the raw, rhythmic, horn-driven sound that would become the backbone of funk music.
Their 1967 single “Funky Broadway” wasn’t just a hit—it was revolutionary. It introduced the word “funky” into the national music conversation and influenced a generation of artists.
Though the group’s time was short-lived, Dyke and the Blazers’ legacy remains powerful. Their blend of streetwise groove, shouted vocals, and tight rhythms helped shape one of the most important genres in American music.
| Band Name | Dyke and the Blazers |
|---|---|
| Years Active | 1965–1971 |
| Genre | Funk, R&B, Soul |
| Origin | Phoenix, Arizona / Buffalo, New York |
| Founder | Arlester “Dyke” Christian |
| Biggest Hit | “Funky Broadway” (#17 R&B, #65 Pop – 1967) |
| Associated Acts | Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, Wilson Pickett |
| Legacy | Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame; widely sampled in hip-hop |
The Band’s Formation
Arlester “Dyke” Christian, born June 13, 1943, in Buffalo, New York, started his musical journey as a bass player. In the early 1960s, he played for Carl LaRue and his Crew. In 1964, the group traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, to back R&B group The O’Jays.
After the O’Jays returned to the East Coast, Christian and a few bandmates found themselves stranded in Phoenix. Rather than go home, they formed a new band with local musicians. That band became Dyke and the Blazers.
The name “Dyke” came from Christian’s nickname. Their high-energy sound, tight arrangements, and street-level soul drew comparisons to James Brown and his Famous Flames. In fact, many fans viewed them as a younger version of Brown’s band, The J.B.’s.
“Funky Broadway” – A Genre-Defining Track
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The band started recording with Original Sound, a small Los Angeles-based label. In 1966, they released their first major single, “Funky Broadway.” The record was gritty, groovy, and loaded with attitude.
It became the first charting song to use the word “funky,” and some radio stations refused to play it, fearing the term was too suggestive. However, fans loved it.
“Funky Broadway” climbed to:
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#17 on the Billboard R&B chart
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#65 on the Billboard Hot 100
It was the group’s breakthrough and helped establish funk as a distinct sound. Years later, Rick James called the song “revolutionary.”
Interestingly, after the original band split, soul legend Wilson Pickett covered “Funky Broadway” in 1967. His version went even higher—reaching #1 R&B and #8 Pop, proving the song’s staying power.
The First Breakup
Life on the road wore the band down. After a particularly grueling tour and a set of shows at the Apollo Theater, the original lineup disbanded in mid-1967.
Christian returned to Buffalo, regrouped, and assembled a new version of the Blazers. This second iteration included:
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Willie Earl (drums)
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Wardell “Baby Wayne” Peterson (second drummer)
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Otis Tolliver (bass)
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Ray Byrd (keyboard)
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Maurice “Little Mo” Jones (trumpet)
Together, they recorded several singles including “Funky Walk” and “Uhh.” However, this version of the band disbanded by 1969.
The Final Lineup and More Hits
Christian gave it one more try by collaborating with musicians from Los Angeles, many of whom would later become part of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. This group included:
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James Gadson (drums)
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Al McKay and Roland Bautista (guitars)
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James Smith and Melvin Dunlap (bass)
This group had a looser, jam-oriented style. They often recorded long grooves, which were later edited down to fit 45 rpm singles.
During this era, Dyke and the Blazers released some of their best-known songs:
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“We Got More Soul” – #7 R&B, #35 Pop (1969)
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“Let a Woman Be a Woman – Let a Man Be a Man” – #4 R&B, #36 Pop (1970)
These tracks were infectious, funky, and loaded with punchy horns and call-and-response vocals. They remain fan favorites and have been frequently sampled in hip-hop.
Tragic Death and Sudden End
On March 13, 1971, Arlester Christian was shot and killed in Phoenix, Arizona. He was only 27 years old. The reasons behind the shooting remain unclear, though some reports link it to a drug-related dispute.
With Christian’s death, Dyke and the Blazers officially ended. His body was returned to Buffalo, where he was laid to rest.
Legacy and Influence
Though they only lasted a few years, Dyke and the Blazers left a huge imprint on American music. Alongside James Brown, they were among the earliest artists to define funk as a genre.
Their sound featured:
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Raw horn riffs
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Call-and-response vocals
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Street-themed lyrics
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Driving rhythms and tight grooves
They were inducted into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, and their music has appeared in numerous compilations.
Frequently Sampled
“Let a Woman Be a Woman” has been heavily sampled in hip-hop by artists such as:
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Stetsasonic
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Tupac Shakur
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The Heavy
Other tracks like “Funky Broadway” and “We Got More Soul” have also been sampled, remixed, or used in commercials and film soundtracks.
Discography Highlights
Major Singles
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“Funky Broadway” (1967)
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“We Got More Soul” (1969)
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“Let a Woman Be a Woman – Let a Man Be a Man” (1970)
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“Funky Walk”
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“Uhh”
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“Runaway People”
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“You Are My Sunshine”
Albums and Compilations
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Dyke and the Blazers: The Funky Broadway
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Dyke’s Greatest Hits
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We Got More Soul: The Best of Dyke and the Blazers (1998, Rhino Records)
These releases continue to introduce new audiences to their pioneering work.
Conclusion
Dyke and the Blazers may not be as widely known as James Brown or Sly Stone, but their contributions to the birth of funk are undeniable. They took gritty R&B and transformed it into something new—something funky.
Their short run produced timeless grooves that inspired generations of artists. And although Arlester “Dyke” Christian’s life was tragically cut short, the music he helped create still lives on, vibrant and powerful, just like the streets of Funky Broadway he sang about.