The Meters are an influential American funk band formed in 1965 in New Orleans by Zigaboo Modeliste (drums), George Porter Jr. (bass), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), and Art Neville (keyboards). They are considered one of the originators of funk music alongside artists like James Brown.
The Meters' sound is characterized by tight melodic grooves, syncopated New Orleans "second line" rhythms, and charged guitar and keyboard riffing. Their early works were developed through improvisation, blending elements of R&B, rock, and jazz. They played a key role in defining the funk genre in the early 1970s.
While they didn't achieve significant mainstream success, The Meters are highly regarded for their musical influence. They have been nominated four times for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
The band officially broke up in 1980. After the breakup, Art Neville continued his career with The Neville Brothers, while Modeliste toured with Keith Richards and Ron Wood. Nocentelli and Porter became in-demand session players.
In 1989, the band reformed under the name The Funky Meters. They have since performed at various festivals and concerts, though with changing lineups.
The Meters' music has been heavily sampled by hip-hop artists and covered by numerous bands. Their compositions remain popular in the sampling community, particularly among rap music producers. They are celebrated for their New Orleans-inflected, danceable instrumentals and are considered founding fathers of funk by many.
Despite facing challenges in the music industry, The Meters earned recognition from publications like Billboard and Record World as the best rhythm and blues instrumental group. Their unique sound, blending funk, blues, and dance grooves with a New Orleans vibe, has left a lasting impact on American roots and popular music.
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