Known as The Land of the Funk throughout the 70s and 80s, Dayton is opening The Funk Music Hall of Fame and Exhibition Center. Its mission is to house and maintain Funk music memorabilia to educate the public about the history of Funk.

So what is Funk music? According to the museum brochure, Funk “describes a rhythmic blend of Soul music, Jazz, and R&B, pioneered by African American musicians in the 1960s. It de-emphasizes the melody and harmony but brings a strong rhythmic groove to the foreground.”

Some famous funk musicians include: James Brown, George Clinton, Chaka Kahn, Herbie Hancock, Earth, Wind are Fire, Miles Davis, and Sly and the Family Stone.

Dayton has the lead on Funk. Dayton is to Funk music what Seattle is to grunge. More Funk musicians came from Dayton, Ohio, then any other place in the world. Here are a few of Dayton’s better known bands:

• The Ohio Players – Many of their songs have been sampled or remade by other artists, such as Snoop Dogg, Puf Daddy, Salt-N-Pepa, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
• Zapp – Songs such as “More Bounce to the Ounce,” “Doo Wa Ditty” and “I Can Make You Dance”
• Roger Troutman – “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” “California Love (2Pac featuring Troutman and Dr. Dre)”
• Heatwave – “Boogie Nights,” “Always and Forever”
• Lakeside – “Fantastic Voyage,” “I want to Hold Your Hand”
• Slave – “Rebirth,” “Make Believe,” Just a Touch of Love”

The Funk Music Hall of Fame and Exhibition Center will be celebrating its grand opening from 6:30 to 8:30 at 113 E Third Street. Unfortunately, tickets to tonight’s event are sold out.