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Funk pioneer George Clinton gets a key to the City of Tallahassee

Legendary musician George Clinton receives a key to the City of Tallahassee as commissioners applaud.
City of Tallahassee
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Facebook screenshot
Legendary musician George Clinton receives a key to the City of Tallahassee.

The Tallahassee City Commission met Wednesday, working through an agenda that included the brouhaha over trespassing allegations against Leon County Commissioner David O'Keefe.

The meeting started on a much lighter note when leaders honored a musical legend who has called Tallahassee home for three decades.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. George Clinton himself!" Mayor John Dailey called the renowned funk pioneer to the front of the commission chambers as music played. Dailey recognized Clinton for his revolutionary music and contributions to Tallahassee before handing him a key to the city.

Clinton is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Now, his list of accolades is even longer.

"Wow," Clinton said laughing. "I don't know what to say. I've been here thirty years, and it's been cool all those years."

Clinton finished his brief acceptance of the ceremonial key by leading everyone in song — one of his most famous.

"Repeat after me: Weee want the funk! Give up the funk! Ahhhh, we need the funk..."

Gina Jordan is the host of Morning Edition for WFSU News. Gina is a Tallahassee native and graduate of Florida State University. She spent 15 years working in news/talk and country radio in Orlando before becoming a reporter and All Things Considered host for WFSU in 2008. Follow Gina: @hearyourthought on Twitter. Click below for Gina's full bio.