Funk Brothers -- some of them -- honored with Heroes and Legends Award

The Funk Brothers, the studio band that played on so many Motown classics, will be honored Sept. 28 at the 19th Annual HAL (Heroes and Legends) Legacy Award, in a ceremony in Los Angeles. The HAL Awards were launched by Janie Bradford, former Motown secretary and songwriter (she co-wrote "Money")to help at-risk youth, and recognize leaders in entertainment and business. The HALs are being presented to what organizers term "the only active Funk Brothers," Uriel Jones, Eddie Willis and Bob Babbitt. Yeah, but ...Guitarist Joe Messina no longer tours with the Funk Brothers, but he is by no means inactive. I was lucky enough to sit in at a jam session at his house last year, and those are ongoing. Joe is as sharp as when he was playing jazz at night and Motown pop during the day at Studio A. If his friends manage to coax Joe to play in public, Funks fans are in for a treat.

You can reach Susan Whitall at (313) 222-2156 or swhitall@ http://detnews.com.