George Clinton: Live from House of Blues at Atlanta Olympics

As I was publishing a CD-ROM 100-year history of the Summer Olympic Games, with help from my close personal friend Bruce Jenner, I rode the Discovery Channel gravy train into Atlanta in July, 1996.  Saw sensational gold-shoe sprinter Michael Johnson blaze to a 19.32 second 200m. record, took in volleyball and diving, and saw/did everything possible.  But my first thrill was to mingle with George Clinton.

Clinton Agonistes: Mothership Reconnection Tour

I spied multi-colored George as he and I waited at the same baggage carousel in Atlanta Hartsfield Int'l Airport.  It's not all a stage act: this guy's act is ALWAYS-ON.

George is a stocky guy who can't stand still, so he wandered about keyed up, sort of like James Brown would when he repeatedly "couldn't decide" whether to exit the stage or charge back into the spotlight.  Ambling in ever-widening oscillations through and around the crowd whilst waiting for his bag to appear, Clinton was a blur of color: ribbons and feathers woven into his hair, woven as fringe on his jacket, and - lo and behold when the bag appeared - growing from the suitcase.

It had to be his bag, so I positioned myself a bit upriver of GC at the carousel, and as the suitcase approached me I reached for it, holding my hand dramatically in mid-air 6 inches from the handle.   Like an imposter half-rising from his seat on To Tell The Truth - "No, I'M Bootsy Collins!" - I froze my hand and then turned to raise an eyebrow at George.  He smiled, I smiled - and THAT WAS ALL!

Enjoyed the Olympics, but left a day early, on the Sunday morning following the Olympic City bomb blast.  Headed back to President Clinton's Washington DC, known to P-Funk fans as "Chocolate City:"

Ah, blood to blood.  Ah, players to ladies

The last percentage count was eighty

You don't need a bullet when you got the ballot

Are you up for the downstroke, CC?

Chocolate City

Are you with me out there?

And when they come to march on ya

Tell 'em to make sure they got their James Brown pass

And don't be surprised if Ali is in the White House

Reverend Ike, Secretary of the Treasure

Richard Pryor, Minister of Education

Stevie Wonder, Secretary of Fine Arts

And Miss Aretha Franklin, the First Lady!

(Clinton, Collins, Worrell)

T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M.