Parliament-Funkadelic Guitarist Garry Shider: 1953-2010

After suffering complications from brain and lung cancer, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and legendary Parliament-Funkadelic guitarist Garry Shider died yesterday. He was 56.

As reported by The Star-Ledger, Shider was most widely recognized for being the musical director for George Clinton’s Parliament and Funkadelic bands. Hailing from Plainfield, N.J., his first interaction with Clinton took place at the Plainfield barbershop (“P-Funk’s base of operations”) in the late ‘60s. Shider officially joined the band in 1972 after contributing to Maggot Brain, the band’s third full-length.

The P-Funk guitarist was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in March. The Garry Shider Medical Fund was recently launched to help him pay for his medical expenses and a benefit show was scheduled for July 10 at the Multi Media Arts Center in Bloomfield. He is survived by his wife, Linda. They were married for 32 years.

Watch a recent interview with Shider: