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Mark Adams, an original member of one of the hottest funk bands of the '70s and '80s, Slave, passed away Saturday and the cause of death has not been revealed.
The group was formed in Dayton, Ohio, by Steve Washington in 1975, and their popularity spanned nearly a decade.
The large-member band consisted of Adams, Floyd Miller, Tom Lockett, Jr., Charlie Bradley, Tim Dozier, Mark Hicks, Danny Webster and Orion Wilhoite. Vocalists Steve Arrington and Starleana Young, along with Raye Turner and Curt Jones, joined the group's ranks later in 1978.
The mega group's first off-the-charts hit was 'Slide,' which put the group on the map in 1977. Slave's successful sound relied heavily on bass with an emphasis on the rhythm section, which was then complemented by soaring vocals.
Slave had a succession of hits from about 1977 until 1984 with such memorable hits as 'Just a Touch of Love,' 'Watching You' (which is still a party favorite to this day) and 'Snap Shot.'
The early '80s brought turbulent times for the group, as several members left and were replaced by others. Four core members departed Slave to form their own group called Aurra in 1981. Arrington also left Slave to go out on his own solo career and had much notoriety with such funk classic hits as 'Nobody Can Be You but You' and 'Way Out.'
Adams remained a constant throughout the years even through member and recording company changes.
Slave's most recent release, 'Stellar Fungk: The Best of Slave Featuring Steve Arrington,' was issued back in 1994 and was a compilation of the group's greatest hits.
RIP Mark...
Comments: (31)
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By: nycfunk on 3/08/2011 1:16PM
Wow! What a shock. Slave was one of the funkiest bands on scene, and Mark Adams' bass playing was the spark that lit the fuse. I will forever be grateful to Mark and the rest of Slave for bring the Funk to the masses. "You'll hear us, but never see us."
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By: Anthony Johnson on 3/08/2011 4:50PM
I have footage and photos of Mark Adams before his death here in Dayton ohio at a park doing an interview with Tj/DYT ent. hit me for any questions at linxtj@aol.com may god rest his soul
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By: Yvonne on 3/08/2011 9:07PM
RIP Mark,its distressing to see so many entertainers dying at such early ages...............I pray we figure out how to be good to each while we are living.
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By: Zandrok Smith on 3/09/2011 12:35AM
I have much grief . And he is my best musician and with his death Music has been the end of a century.
http://www.articlemonster.com/health-and-fitness/weight-loss/leanspa-acai-review-is-leanspa-safe-to-use.html
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By: Ansl on 3/09/2011 11:26PM
It is so sad the passing of Mark Adams one of the most innovating bassist ever but what even more sad is the way in which he died. Mark was a crack addict, he was addicted to crack cocaine and as a result of his addiction he died chasing the addiction and was beaten. This so sad. RIP Stone Jam RIP
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By: slavfn32 on 3/28/2011 9:19PM
Ive always been a TRUE,solid, hardcore fan of Slave. Upon hearing of Mark's death,i was crushed.
My heart sank man because he was so gifted and most
of all my favorite musician. A true funk king. Without a doubt, he will be truly missed. Was it really an addiction that took his life?
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By: Kenny Green on 3/11/2011 1:32PM
My condolences go out to Mark's family and freinds. He was truly an innovative and creative bass guitarist. His propulsive and always funky bottom was the glue that held that Slave sound together. No one else sounded likes Slave's bass lines. Without his bass ther was no funk. Thanks Mark for giving me years of listening enjoyment and your music will live on always. RIP my brother! Jammin' in heaven!
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By: Queen Anita on 3/13/2011 1:22PM
I always loved Slave, Slave , Rick James & The Stone City Band and my childhood friends the group GQ was my favorite Funk Bands,I loved Slave so much I had a serious crush on Floyd Miller, Mark Hicks & Mark Adams I had some wet dreams about me and Floyd Miller O yes I use to kiss his picture his and both Marks I have their music my favorite was all their ballards , and BV that video Is not the performances of the original Slave those are the fake Slave I only see one original member Drago U need to show the real Slave group concerts with Steve , Steve , Mark, Mark, my sweetie Floyd and the gang I would like to see a original Slave reunion for the memory of Mark and me Slaves # 1 Fan I love u guys please come back and get rid of that fake group thats trying to be Slave , and that lead singer a Steve Arrington u aint and can never catcher the style of Steve Washington I want 2 see the real mccoys that started from 1975 I can't stand replacements unnessary
Slave don't lose another memeber before yall get back 2 gether again take your cue from Eugene Record before he died he performed one last time with the Chilites don't wait to late
I Love U Mark I hate that u left tell Rick & Teena that I love U all ,and tell Barry White that I will continue to play and honor yall music
God Speed & Peace Be Still my Love Ones...............
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By: Fresh on 3/13/2011 8:31PM
Here's a blog post tribute I did in memory of Mark Adams, one bassist to another... http://www.vibesnscribes.com/?p=2642. As for that youtube video up there...Mark is not even playing bass in it...! Come on BV, u could have done better than that...LOL! There's footage on the REAL Slave on dailymotion.com
peace
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By: freda (free) kelley on 3/31/2011 8:42AM
Im mark fianc'e i just want to say that mark loved his bass, and that i am going to put it in a glass cabinet and put it back in are studio, along with his uniforms that i made for him, i am going to miss him we had so much fun together these last 3 years of his life were his best. and i am glad i spent them with him.
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