Funkadelic and Parliament guitarist Garry Shider dies at age 56

Image Credit: Samir Hussein/Getty ImagesFunkadelic and Parliament guitarist Garry “Starchild” Shider died yesterday at his home in Upper Marlboro, Md, according to the AP. In March, the longtime sideman of funk legend George Clinton was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer.

Shider first recorded with Clinton on the 1971 Funkadelic album Maggot Brain and his playing, singing, and writing were crucial to the development of Clinton’s “P-Funk” sound. Among the songs co-penned by the guitarist was the classic Funkadelic cut “One Nation Under A Groove.”

Shider also cut a colorful figure onstage thanks to his habit of wearing a diaper. “George said, ‘Put a diaper on,’ and it was comfortable,” he recalled earlier this year. “I’ve been wearing it ever since.”

George Clinton’s official web site has paid tribute to the guitarist with the message, “Thank you Garry for all you have done, Forever funkin’ on!”

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Snoop Dogg barred from Dutch festival
Pauly Shore shills for Eminem’s “Recovery”
Dr. Dre and Jay-Z’s “Under Pressure” leaks
Glee beats Twilight to No. 1 on Billboard 200 albums chart
Amy Winehouse’s dad unleashes his inner Sinatra
Europe is obsessed with Eurovision winner Lena’s “Satellite”