Mr. Fiddler

Funk and soul singer, songwriter, musician, and producer Joseph Anthony Fiddler – born May 16, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan – was better known by his stage name Amp Fiddler. His musical journey began when he studied music in college but left school to tour with popular soul vocal group Enchantment. He released his debut album, With Respect, under the name Mr. Fiddler while also working with many iconic funk and soul artists including Prince, George Clinton, Was (Not Was), Maxwell, Jamiroquai, Fishbone, and many others. Amp Fiddler has been credited with introducing hip hop icon J Dilla to the Akai MPC sampling drum machine, which changed the course of the rapper’s career. After ignoring his solo career for many years, Amp Fiddler released Waltz of a Ghetto Fly, his second album – but first under his new moniker – in 2004. The album was a critical and commercial success and reached number 82 on the UK Albums chart. That album was followed by Afro Strut (2006), which reached number 126 in the UK. After releasing his 2008 album Inspiration Information (featuring reggae duo Sly and Robbie), Amp Fiddler took a lengthy break from recording and finally returned in 2016 with Motor City Booty. He then began collaborating with funk band Will Sessions and released two albums with the group: Kindred Live (2017) and The One (2018). Amp Fiddler died of cancer on December 18, 2023, at the age of 65.