The Brides of Funkenstein

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The Brides of Funkenstein was a funk musical group originally composed of singers Dawn Silva and Lynn Mabry.

Previously background singers for Sly Stone, Mabry and Silva joined the P-Funk collective in 1977. George Clinton named the group (based on the scenario and characters from the Parliament album The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein) and produced their first album, Funk Or Walk, for Atlantic Records in 1978. Their debut album skyrocketed to success, selling over three hundred thousand copies within the first week as well as winning a record world award for best new female group.^{[citation needed]}

The Brides of Funkenstein charted at Number 7 on the R&B Hit charts; the single single release "Disco To Go" was certified gold in America and reached platinum status in Europe and Asia. The duo became the opening act fixture of the P-Funk road shows; as well as performing with Parliament Funkadelic.

Lynn Mabry left the group in 1979. Dawn Silva, the original lead vocalist, would pick up the torch and invite back-up vocalist "Bridesmaids" Sheila Horne and Jeanette McGruder to sing on the second Brides album, Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy.

Dawn Silva, Sheila Horne and Jeanette McGruder were to receive a Cashbox Rhythm & Blues award for best new female artist, beating out The Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge, and Cheryl Lynn. The Brides' second album was rated in 2001 by Rolling Stone as one of the top 25 albums ever released.^{[citation needed]}

The trio recorded a third album, "Shadows On The Wall, Shaped Like The Hat You Wore" in 1980. Most of the Brides' material from the un-released third album was gradually featured, song by song, throughout the P-Funk catalogue. Lynn Mabry and Dawn Silva toured with Talking Heads in 1984, appearing in the famed concert film Stop Making Sense along with co-founder P-Funk colleague Bernie Worrell.

Dawn Silva and Lynn Mabry had a brief reunion in 1981 as the New Wave Brides, opening for Grace Jones, and a lengthy tour with Was (Not Was). Dawn Silva would tour and record with the Gap Band from 1983 to 1991, moving on to work with Ice Cube (Boyz in The Hood). She released her debut solo CD in 2000. Entitled "All My Funky Friends," it garnered rave reviews in Europe and Asia.

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