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George Porter Jr. is an iconic bassist and singer, most recognized as a founding member of the legendary funk band, The Meters, whose rhythmic contributions have influenced generations of musicians.
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Request A ShowGeorge Porter Jr. is best known as the bassist and singer of The Meters, a group he co-founded with Art Neville in the mid-1960s that became a recognized progenitor of funk music. The band initially disbanded in 1977 but reformed in 1989 and continues with occasional reunions.
George Porter Jr. leads his own group, The Runnin' Pardners, since 1990. The band is recognized as a quintessential New Orleans band and receives acclaim on the jam band and festival scene, featuring musicians like Brint Anderson, Michael Lemmler, Khris Royal, and Terrence Houston.
After The Meters disbanded in 1977, Porter Jr. formed a band called Joyride, which he played with throughout the 1980s and continues to play with sporadically.
In 1994, Porter and Art Neville re-collaborated to form The Funky Meters to carry on The Meters' sound. The band, which included Brian Stoltz and Russell Batiste Jr., continues to perform.
Porter has a project called The Trio, featuring Johnny Vidacovich.
George Porter Jr. is involved in the project New Orleans Social Club.
George Porter Jr. is involved in the project Deep Fried.
George Porter Jr. is a member of Porter Batiste Stoltz, a musical project.
Porter joined John Scofield's Piety Street Band in 2008 for touring and recording, alongside Jon Cleary and Ricky Fataar.
In 2010, George Porter Jr. joined Bill Kreutzmann's band, 7 Walkers, replacing Reed Mathis.
In 2012, Porter, Leo Nocentelli, Joe Modeliste, and Phish keyboardist Page McConnell performed as The Metermen, with limited shows in subsequent years.
George Porter Jr. has performed and recorded with the Soul Rebels Brass Band.
George Porter Jr. has performed and recorded with Dr. John, contributing to albums like 'In the Right Place' (1973) and 'Desitively Bonnaroo' (1974).
George Porter Jr. has worked on session recordings with Paul McCartney.
George Porter Jr. has worked on session recordings with Robbie Robertson, including the album 'Storyville' (1991).
George Porter Jr. has performed and recorded with Willy DeVille, contributing to 'Victory Mixture' (1990).
George Porter Jr. has performed and recorded with Robert Palmer, contributing to 'Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley' (1974).
George Porter Jr. has performed and recorded with Patti LaBelle, contributing to her self-titled album 'Patti LaBelle' (1977), and with Labelle on 'Nightbirds' (1974) and 'Phoenix' (1975).
George Porter Jr. has worked on session recordings with Jimmy Buffett.
George Porter Jr. has worked on session recordings with David Byrne, including the album 'Uh-Oh' (1992).
George Porter Jr. has performed and recorded with Johnny Adams.
George Porter Jr. has performed and recorded with Harry Connick Jr.
Early in his career, George Porter Jr. played with Earl King, and has performed and recorded with him on other occasions.
George Porter Jr. has performed live and on recent studio releases with Warren Haynes.
George Porter Jr. has worked on session recordings with Tori Amos, contributing to albums like 'Under the Pink' (1994), 'Boys for Pele' (1996), and 'From the Choirgirl Hotel' (1998).
George Porter Jr. has performed and recorded with Snooks Eaglin, including in the 2005 documentary film 'Make It Funky!'.
George Porter Jr. sat in with Dead & Company during their New Orleans concert on February 24, 2018.
George Porter Jr. plays sporadically with Steve Kimock on various projects, including Voodoo Dead.
George Porter Jr. collaborated on Z. Z. Hill's album 'Keep On Lovin' You' (1975).
George Porter Jr. collaborated on Albert King's album 'New Orleans Heat' (1978).
George Porter Jr. collaborated on Solomon Burke's album 'Soul of the Blues' (1993).
George Porter Jr. collaborated on Terrance Simien's album 'There's Room for Us All' (1993).
George Porter Jr. collaborated on Taj Mahal's album 'Maestro' (2008).
George Porter Jr. collaborated on Diane Birch's album 'Bible Belt' (2009).
George Porter Jr. collaborated on Ruthie Foster's album 'Let It Burn' (2011).
George Porter Jr. collaborated on John Oates' album 'Good Road to Follow' (2014).
George Porter Jr. collaborated on Devon Allman's album 'Miami Moon' (2024).
George Porter Jr. was born on December 26, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His early exposure to music came from his parents; his father listened to Duke Ellington, and his mother sang in the church choir. Growing up alongside future Meters bandmate Joe “Zigaboo” Modeliste, Porter developed an interest in music, beginning with a box guitar at an early age. His inspiration to play bass guitar came from local musician Benjamin “Poppi” Francis, who also provided him with initial lessons. While still a teenager, Porter performed with Earl King, a pivotal experience that led Art Neville to invite him to join a new band.
This collaboration marked the inception of The Meters, initially known as Neville Sound. The group, which eventually solidified into a quartet with Porter, Art Neville, Zigaboo Modeliste, and Leo Nocentelli, became a seminal force in funk music. They gained a recording contract through Allen Toussaint and changed their name to The Meters, playing six nights a week at the Ivanhoe on Bourbon Street. By the early 1970s, The Meters were touring nationally and simultaneously working as sought-after session musicians. Their contributions are evident in hit records such as “Right Place, Wrong Time,” “Lady Marmalade,” “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley,” and “Southern Nights.” In 1975, they toured as the opening act for the Rolling Stones. A notable moment occurred in 1976 when Keith Richards and Mick Jagger intervened during a booing incident in Paris, supporting The Meters and highlighting their impact. Despite their success, the original Meters disbanded in 1977 due to internal differences.
Following the breakup of The Meters, Porter formed his own band, Joyride, and continued to be an integral part of the New Orleans music scene throughout the 1980s. In 1989, The Meters reunited with Russell Batiste Jr. replacing Joe Modeliste. The 1990s saw Porter establish The Runnin’ Pardners, a project that continues to perform today. During this decade, he also became a highly regarded session bassist, collaborating with artists including David Byrne and Tori Amos. In 1994, Porter and Art Neville formed The Funky Meters to uphold the legacy of The Meters’ sound. The original four members of The Meters have reunited for occasional performances, including at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2006, which was significant for the city post-Hurricane Katrina. Porter also joined John Scofield’s Piety Street Band in 2008 and became part of Bill Kreutzmann’s 7 Walkers in 2010. He maintains a consistent touring schedule with his various projects and frequently collaborates with other musicians, demonstrating his enduring presence and influence in the music industry.
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