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Arlester “Dyke” Christian

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Arlester “Dyke” Christian Famous memorial

Birth
Buffalo, Erie County, New York, USA
Death
13 Mar 1971 (aged 27)
Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
Burial
Buffalo, Erie County, New York, USA Add to Map
Plot
Section 28, Lot 153
Memorial ID
View Source
R&B/Soul/Funk Musician. A native of Buffalo, New York, he was the lead singer of the musical group, 'Dyke & The Blazers.' The group which was formed in 1964 was originally a backing band for the 'O'Jays.' They were also one of the first acts besides James Brown to play funk. Known as a junior version of the group, 'Brown and the JB's,' they began backing the 'O'Jays' while they toured Phoenix, Arizona, in the 1960s. In need of money the group decided to stay in Phoenix, Arizona, and use it as there home base. The group soon signed with the Artco Record Label and released there best known song, 'Funky Broadway,' in 1966. That song was later recorded by the late Wilson Pickett, and became a huge hit for him. The song was picked up by the Los Angeles, California, based Original Sound Label and it became a huge R&B hit and a small pop one. The group continued there success throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, having several more Top Ten hit singles including, 'You Are My Sunshine,' 'Runaway People,' 'Uhh,' 'Let A Woman Be A Woman--Let A Man Be A Man,' and 'We Got More Soul.' The group continued together until disbanding in 1971. On March 13, 1971, tragedy struck when Christian was shot and killed by an unstable man in the street in Phoenix, Arizona. Christian was just 26 years old. He was returned to his native Buffalo, New York, and was buried there. Other songs by the group are, 'Funky Bull, Pt. 1,' 'Funky Bull, Pt. 2,' 'It's Your Thing,' 'City Dump,' 'Shotgun Slim,' 'Broadway Combination,' 'The Wobble,' and 'My Sister's And Brother's Day Is Comin'.
R&B/Soul/Funk Musician. A native of Buffalo, New York, he was the lead singer of the musical group, 'Dyke & The Blazers.' The group which was formed in 1964 was originally a backing band for the 'O'Jays.' They were also one of the first acts besides James Brown to play funk. Known as a junior version of the group, 'Brown and the JB's,' they began backing the 'O'Jays' while they toured Phoenix, Arizona, in the 1960s. In need of money the group decided to stay in Phoenix, Arizona, and use it as there home base. The group soon signed with the Artco Record Label and released there best known song, 'Funky Broadway,' in 1966. That song was later recorded by the late Wilson Pickett, and became a huge hit for him. The song was picked up by the Los Angeles, California, based Original Sound Label and it became a huge R&B hit and a small pop one. The group continued there success throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, having several more Top Ten hit singles including, 'You Are My Sunshine,' 'Runaway People,' 'Uhh,' 'Let A Woman Be A Woman--Let A Man Be A Man,' and 'We Got More Soul.' The group continued together until disbanding in 1971. On March 13, 1971, tragedy struck when Christian was shot and killed by an unstable man in the street in Phoenix, Arizona. Christian was just 26 years old. He was returned to his native Buffalo, New York, and was buried there. Other songs by the group are, 'Funky Bull, Pt. 1,' 'Funky Bull, Pt. 2,' 'It's Your Thing,' 'City Dump,' 'Shotgun Slim,' 'Broadway Combination,' 'The Wobble,' and 'My Sister's And Brother's Day Is Comin'.

Bio by: The Silent Forgotten



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: Deleon Todd
  • Added: Apr 19, 2003
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7368369/arlester-christian: accessed ), memorial page for Arlester “Dyke” Christian (13 Jun 1943–13 Mar 1971), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7368369, citing Forest Lawn, Buffalo, Erie County, New York, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.