'A man of music': Detroit says goodbye to Amp Fiddler at emotional memorial service

Amp Fiddler was remembered as a musical mentor, an impeccably stylish dresser and an irreplaceable member of Detroit's music community at the musician's memorial service Saturday at Detroit's Fellowship Chapel.

Hundreds gathered at the church on West Outer Drive to celebrate the life of the deeply influential keyboard player and funk musician, who died in December after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 65.

Fiddler, who played with George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1980s and 1990s and had also formed musical connections with Prince, Seal, Slum Village, Maxwell and dozens of other artists, in addition to steering his own solo career, was lauded for his generosity and for mentoring young musicians at his open door Camp Amp sessions at his home in Conant Gardens. He is credited with working with a young J Dilla and giving the legendary Detroit hip-hop producer his first drum machine, "and we can't hear Dilla without thinking about Amp," Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, Dilla's mother, said at the service.

She was one of many friends, family members and Detroit artists who spoke at the four-plus hour ceremony, which was officiated by the Rev. Mayowa Lisa Reynolds. Video testimonials were sent in by Roots drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, George Clinton, Raphael Saadiq, Carl Craig, A Tribe Called Quest's Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Meshell Ndegeocello and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who urged people to "be funky and be true" in Fiddler's honor.

Fiddler, born Joseph Anthony Fiddler on Detroit's east side, was praised as "The Mayor of Conant Gardens," "a celestial being," "hands down one of the funkiest dudes you will ever meet," "a spiritual ninja," "an advocate of vibe," "everybody's plug" and "a man of music," among other honorary titles. "His house alone should be considered a historic site," said Dez "DJ Dez" Andrés.

In his eulogy, the Rev. Wendell Anthony said Fiddler "was a blessing with a talent from God."

"The song may have ended," Anthony said, "but the melody should always linger on."

Eric Roberson, Monica Blaire, Charity and Detroit trio Dames Brown performed at the ceremony, as did poets and spoken word artists Natasha T. Miller, Jessica Care Moore, Mama Sol and Mike-E.

Fiddler's wife, Tombi Stewart, fought back tears and said she felt "breathless" as she spoke at the service. "I'm aware of what Amp means to the world," she said, "but he means the world to me."

Fiddler's stylish attire was a running theme among the speakers, who said even if he was helping out a neighbor or doing chores, and even as cancer ravaged his body, he was never not dressed to the nines.

While he dealt with many hardships in his life — Fiddler's son, Dorian, died at age 18 in 2009 — friends, collaborators and fellow members of his community said he was always an upbeat presence and positive force, always encouraging, always pushing forward and always funky.

After the ceremony, Detroit techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson called Fiddler a leader and an innovator, and said he'd remember him for the way he carried himself. "He was always calm, and he seemed like he was always at peace," he said. "He was always a creative presence, and he mixed with all different genres, and he always found a way to make everything fit together, musically. That's what he loved, was music."

agraham@detroitnews.com