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Living Colour

{{short description|American rock band}}

{{About|the band|the television series|In Living Color{{!}}In Living Color|the 1992 thriller film|Living Color (film){{!}}Living Color (film)}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}

{{Infobox musical artist|

| name = Living Colour

| image = LivingColour.jpg

| caption = Living Colour in 2017

| image_upright = 1.25

| background = group_or_band

| alias =

| origin = New York City, U.S.

| genre = {{Flatlist|

  • Hard rockThe following sources refer to Living Colour as hard rock:
  • {{cite book|author=Chuck Klosterman|title=Fargo Rock City: A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North Dakota|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b1al4ghM_VwC&pg=PA165|date=November 1, 2007|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-4165-8952-5|page=165}}
  • {{cite book|author=Chuck Klosterman|title=Chuck Klosterman on Rock: A Collection of Previously Published Essays|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vrpKp2oCj_8C&pg=PT33|date=September 14, 2010|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-4516-2449-6|page=33}}
  • {{cite book|author=Martha Bayles|title=Hole in Our Soul: The Loss of Beauty and Meaning in American Popular Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pmcaVNZNF-cC&pg=PA338|date=May 15, 1996|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-03959-6|page=338}}
  • {{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121101753 |title=Living Colour: Keeping The Music Alive |work=All Things Considered |date=December 6, 2009 |publisher=NPR |access-date=April 29, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429145313/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121101753 |archive-date=April 29, 2016 }}
  • funk metalThe following sources refer to Living Colour as funk metal:
  • {{cite book|author=McIver, Joel|title=Overkill: The Story of Motorhead|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xeWaAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT162|date=November 17, 2011|publisher=Music Sales Limited|isbn=978-0-85712-718-1|page=162}}
  • {{cite book|author=Mark Katz|title=Groove Music: The Art and Culture of the Hip-Hop DJ|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zv8JzuFW-l8C&pg=PA180|date=April 3, 2012|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-991301-5|page=180}}
  • alternative metalThe following sources refer to Living Colour as alternative metal:
  • {{cite web|title=Alternative Metal|url=http://www.allmusic.com/style/alternative-metal-ma0000012328|website=AllMusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=September 29, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223033528/http://www.allmusic.com/style/alternative-metal-ma0000012328|archive-date=December 23, 2015}}
  • {{cite news |url=http://www.avclub.com/article/one-of-living-colours-hits-illustrates-an-era-in-t-99872 |title=One of Living Colour's hits illustrates an era in transition |last=Heller |first=Jason |date=July 9, 2013 |newspaper=AV Club |access-date=April 29, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030150853/http://www.avclub.com/article/one-of-living-colours-hits-illustrates-an-era-in-t-99872 |archive-date=October 30, 2016 }}

}}

| discography = Living Colour discography

| years_active = {{Flatlist|

  • 1984–1995
  • 2000–present

}}

| label = {{Flatlist|

}}

| associated_acts = {{Flatlist|

  • Free Form Funky Freqs
  • Headfake
  • Jungle Funk
  • Masque
  • Vice
  • Wood Brass & Steel
  • Yohimbe Brothers

}}

| current_members = * Vernon Reid

| past_members = * Alex Mosely

}}

Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984.These sources refer to Living Colour as a rock band:

  • {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kRWt3Tikj5QC&pg=PA5 |page=5 |title=Right to Rock: The Black Rock Coalition and the Cultural Politics of Race |last=Mahon |first=Maureen |publisher=Duke University Press |date=June 23, 2004 |isbn=9780822333173}}
  • {{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yCUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA88 |page=88 |title=Electric Warriors |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |date=February 2002 |magazine=Vibe}}
  • {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1-pH4i3jXvAC&pg=PA663 |page=663 |title=All Music Guide to Rock |editor1=Vladimir Bogdanov|editor2=Chris Woodstra|editor3=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |date=2002 |isbn=9780879306533}}
  • {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA926 |page=926 |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |last=Larkin |first=Colin |publisher=Omnibus Press |date=May 27, 2011 |isbn=9780857125958}} The band consists of guitarist Vernon Reid, lead vocalist Corey Glover, drummer Will Calhoun and bassist Doug Wimbish who replaced Muzz Skillings in 1992. Their music is influenced by heavy metal, funk, jazz, hip-hop, punk, and alternative rock. The band's lyrics range from the personal to the political, including social commentary on racism in the United States.

Living Colour has released six studio albums. The band rose to fame with their debut album Vivid in 1988.{{cite book

| first= Martin C.

| last= Strong

| year= 2000

| title= The Great Rock Discography

| edition= 5th

| publisher= Mojo Books

| location= Edinburgh

| pages= 580–581

| isbn= 1-84195-017-3}} Although they scored several hits, Living Colour is best known for their signature song "Cult of Personality", which won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990 and has been consistently used as the entrance theme for professional wrestler CM Punk since 2011.{{cite web |last1=Wilkening |first1=Matthew |title=Why Living Colour's 'Cult of Personality' Is CM Punk's Theme Song |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/cm-punk-cult-of-personality/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=August 20, 2021 |access-date=13 April 2023}} They were named Best New Artist at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards, and won their second Grammy Award for their follow-up album Time's Up (1990). Their third album, Stain (1993), was also well received by music critics. After disbanding in 1995, Living Colour reunited in late 2000,{{cite web|title= Living Colour singer Corey Glover looks back on 25 years of 'Vivid'|author= Dustin Schoof|url= http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/index.ssf/2013/03/living_colour_singer_corey_glo.html|work= LehighValleyLive.com|date= March 29, 2013|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105959/http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/index.ssf/2013/03/living_colour_singer_corey_glo.html|archive-date= March 4, 2016}} and has since released three more studio albums: Collideøscope (2003), The Chair in the Doorway (2009) and Shade (2017). The band has been working on new material for the follow-up to Shade.{{cite news|url=https://spotlightreport.net/on-the-spot-2/interview-corey-glover-of-living-colour-talks-oz-tour|title=Interview: Corey Glover of Living Colour Talks Oz Tour|website=spotlightreport.net|date=December 12, 2018|access-date=February 28, 2020}}

History

=Early years (1984–1986)=

British-born guitarist Vernon Reid had formed several bands in the years before forming Living Colour in New York in 1984, using the British spelling of "colour".{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Joseph |title=Cult of Personality: An interview with Will Calhoun (Living Colour) |url=https://willnotfade.com/2017/04/30/will-calhoun-living-colour-interview/ |website=Will Not Fade |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616211504/https://willnotfade.com/2017/04/30/will-calhoun-living-colour-interview/ |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |date=April 30, 2017 |quote=Band founder Vernon Reid is English, so made a deliberate choice to spell 'colour' correctly with the 'U' included. But most Americans spell many words incorrectly out of ignorance. It's not much of an issue.}}{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Mick |title=We chat to Corey Glover from Living Colour ahead of Newcastle Riverside gig |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/corey-glover-living-colour-interview-13670041 |work=ChronicleLive |date=September 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109073550/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/corey-glover-living-colour-interview-13670041 |archive-date=November 9, 2017}} Reid assembled several bands under the name Vernon Reid's Living Colour from 1984 to 1986.{{cite magazine|title=Living Colour's Time Is Now|author=David Fricke|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/living-colours-time-is-now-19901101|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 1, 1990|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912232142/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/living-colours-time-is-now-19901101|archive-date=September 12, 2017}} Reid was well known on the downtown New York jazz scenes because of his tenure in Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society.{{cite web |last1=Fricke |first1=David |title=Back in Black |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/back-in-black-2-95063/ |publisher=Rolling Stone Magazine |access-date=20 May 2021 |date=24 Sep 1987}}

Early band members included bassists Alex Mosely, Jerome Harris and Carl James, drummers Greg Carter, Pheeroan akLaff and J. T. Lewis, keyboardist Geri Allen, and vocalists D. K. Dyson and Mark Ledford, with Reid occasionally singing lead vocals himself. The band's sound was vastly different from the songs later in their significant label recordings. Material from this period included instrumental jazz/funk workouts, politically pointed punk rock burners, experimental excursions via Reid's guitar synth, and an early version of the song "Funny Vibe", which was reworked for their debut album Vivid.

=Mainstream success (1986–1991)=

File:Living-colour-live1993.jpg

In 1986 a stable lineup was formed, consisting of vocalist/actor Corey Glover, guitarist Vernon Reid, bassist Muzz Skillings, and drummer Will Calhoun (who had graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music). After hiring managers Jim Grant and Roger Cramer, the band hired prodigy lighting designer Andy Elias in November 1986 to strengthen their live shows with explosive visual productions.Panebianco, Julie. "Living Colour Rock The Ritz." East Village Eye, December 1986, p 6. The band became experienced at touring and performed regular gigs at the club CBGB. Around this time, their career also benefited from Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger's involvement. Jagger's interest in Living Colour was piqued when Vernon Reid auditioned for the album Primitive Cool; Jagger then arranged to see them live at CBGBs. Jagger went on to produce two of their demos. His endorsement encouraged major record labels to renew their interest in Living Colour, resulting in a recording contract with Epic Records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2013/10/24/living-colours-vernon-reid-on-the-bands-formation-mick-jagger-and-reaching-audiences-through-grand-theft-auto|title = Living Colour's Vernon Reid on the band's formation, Mick Jagger, and reaching audiences through "Grand Theft Auto"| date=October 24, 2013 }} Interviewed in 2018, Vernon Reid looked back on the deal as a bittersweet triumph; "We had to get the co-sign from a person who literally embodied what rock 'n' roll is, the fact that he had to come see us, and dig us, for us to get at the back of the line is crazy."{{Cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2018/5/3/17312688/living-colour-cult-of-personality-vivid-30-years-anniversary|title = How Living Colour Reignited Rock's "Cult of Personality"|date = May 3, 2018}}

Vivid, released on May 3, 1988, gathered sales momentum when, later that year, MTV began playing the video for "Cult of Personality". The album reached #6 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. On April 1, 1989, the band performed on NBC's Saturday Night Live. Four months later, the band gained further exposure as an opening act, along with Guns N' Roses, for The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour.

In 1990, the band's second full-length album, Time's Up, featured songs in a variety of musical contexts; jazz fusion, punk rock, Delta blues, hip hop (cameos by Queen Latifah and Doug E. Fresh), funk, thrash metal, jive, and hints of electronica were all represented.{{cite web |title= Living Colour Time's Up |author= Greg Prato |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/times-up-mw0000315449 |work= AllMusic |access-date= August 21, 2015 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150806185836/http://www.allmusic.com/album/times-up-mw0000315449 |archive-date= August 6, 2015 }} The album reached #13 on the Billboard 200, and won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. Other guests included Maceo Parker and Little Richard.

In 1991, Living Colour joined the inaugural Lollapalooza tour, and released an EP of outtakes entitled Biscuits.

=Second lineup and breakup (1992–1995)=

In 1992, Skillings left the band and was replaced by Doug Wimbish. This new lineup released their third full-length album, Stain, in March 1993. The album reached #26 in the U.S., a further drop since its debut. Despite retaining their strong fan base, Living Colour disbanded in January 1995 after failing to settle on common musical goals during their fourth studio album sessions. Four of these tracks were included on the compilation Pride. Following the breakup, individual band members released a variety of solo efforts.

=Reunion and subsequent events (2000–present)=

Living Colour re-formed on December 21, 2000, at CBGB as a gig billed "Head>>Fake w/ special guests". Head>>Fake was the current drum and bass project headed by Calhoun and Wimbish. Glover was on the bill to sing a few songs, and Reid came on after three songs. The reunion was followed by the release of the band's fourth studio album, Collideøscope, in 2003, their first album not to chart in the United States, although it was critically praised.{{cite web |title=Review: Living Colour Collideoscope|author= Davey Boy |url= https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/29750/Living-Colour-Collideoscope/|work= Sputnikmusic |date=March 4, 2009}}{{cite web|title=Living Colour Collideoscope|author=Dave Mount|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/living-colour/collideoscope/13482/|work=Prefixmag|date=March 6, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924124749/http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/living-colour/collideoscope/13482/|archive-date=September 24, 2015}} In 2005, Sony Records released Live from CBGB's, a live album recorded on December 19, 1989, as well as another best-of compilation, Everything Is Possible: The Very Best of Living Colour, with songs from Vivid to Collideøscope. On September 22, 2006, Skillings joined the band for the first time in fourteen years when they played at a private party that drummer Jack DeJohnette threw for his wife, Lydia. Wimbish could not come back from his base in London to play for the event, so Skillings agreed to take over for the special private event.

File:Living Colour - Live Madrid 2008.jpg

File:Living Colour, live, Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA, March 29, 2013.jpg

The band performed a week-long European Tour starting on December 12, 2006. In May 2007, the band released their first live DVD – On Stage At World Cafe Live. On July 11, 2008, the band performed at the 1980s hard rock-themed Rocklahoma festival at Pryor, Oklahoma. Once again, Skillings performed with them in August 2008 for a Black Rock Coalition Band of Gypsys tribute in Harlem. They performed "Them Changes" and "Power of Soul".

On October 25, 2008, MVD Audio and CBGB Records released CBGB OMFUG Masters: August 19, 2005 The Bowery Collection, a soundboard collection of songs from the Save CBGB's benefit show. On November 25, 2008, Inakustik and MVD released The Paris Concert, a DVD recorded at New Morning, in Paris, France, during their 2007 European Tour. The band released their fifth studio album, The Chair in the Doorway, on September 15, 2009, on Megaforce Records. The album sold approximately 2,800 copies in its first week and landed at #161 on the Billboard 200. This was the band's first album to chart since Stain in 1993. The band toured the world in support of the record.[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268175/living-colour-back-with-fifth-studio-album Living Colour Back With Fifth Studio Album] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423122206/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268175/living-colour-back-with-fifth-studio-album |date=April 23, 2013 }} Billboard.com. Retrieved on July 8, 2009.

In 2013, Living Colour performed "Cult of Personality" live during CM Punk's entrance at WrestleMania 29 for his match against The Undertaker.{{cite web |last1=Mirmina |first1=Graham |title=WWE WrestleMania 33: 5 Most underrated musical performances in the event's history |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/wwe-wrestlemania-33-5-most-underrated-musical-performances-in-events-history |website=Sportskeeda |date=March 29, 2017 |access-date=13 April 2023}}

On July 2, 2014, Living Colour announced on their official website that they were putting the finishing touches on their upcoming sixth album Shade, which was released on September 8, 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/living-colour-to-release-shade-album-in-september-cover-artwork-unveiled/|title=LIVING COLOUR To Release 'Shade' Album In September; Cover Artwork Unveiled|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=May 12, 2017|access-date=May 14, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515024742/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/living-colour-to-release-shade-album-in-september-cover-artwork-unveiled/|archive-date=May 15, 2017}} "Shade is the sound of a band coming to terms with its shadows and light, From the blue pulpit of Robert Johnson to the mean red streets of Brooklyn to the golden lure of Hollywood, Shade is the next chapter of a unique American journey," Reid stated on the official website. The album includes ten originals and three covers: Robert Johnson's "Preachin' Blues", The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Who Shot Ya?" and Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" available on CD, MP3, and vinyl.

On August 19, 2016, the band released a cover of The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Who Shot Ya?" from an upcoming EP entitled Mixtape which was released on September 9.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/living-colour-to-release-mixtape-featuring-reinvention-of-notorious-b-i-g-s-who-shot-ya/|title=LIVING COLOUR To Release 'Mixtape' Featuring Reinvention Of NOTORIOUS B.I.G.'s 'Who Shot Ya'|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=August 19, 2016|access-date=August 22, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822041658/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/living-colour-to-release-mixtape-featuring-reinvention-of-notorious-b-i-g-s-who-shot-ya|archive-date=August 22, 2016}} It features appearances from Chuck D, Black Thought, Pharoahe Monch, Prodigal Sunn, and Kyle Mansa.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/67631-living-colour-enlist-chuck-d-black-thought-more-for-notorious-big-who-shot-ya-remake-listen/|title=Living Colour Enlist Chuck D, Black Thought, More for Notorious B.I.G. "Who Shot Ya" Remake: Listen – Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=May 5, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122102435/https://pitchfork.com/news/67631-living-colour-enlist-chuck-d-black-thought-more-for-notorious-big-who-shot-ya-remake-listen/|archive-date=November 22, 2017}} Also in 2016, the band performed "Cult of Personality" on The Howard Stern Show.{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJXHFNw3fSw|title=Living Colour "Cult of Personality" on the Stern Show (2016)|website=youtube.com|date=May 1, 2021|access-date=August 15, 2023}}

By late 2018, Living Colour had begun working on new material for a possible EP or seventh full-length studio album. When asked about a month after the release of Shade if fans would have to wait another four years for the follow-up album, Reid replied, "Well I don't know about all that. It's intriguing to be back in this cycle."{{cite news|url=https://www.albumism.com/interviews/vernon-reid-of-living-colour-navigates-the-shadows-and-light|title=INTERVIEW: Living Colour's Vernon Reid Navigates the Shadows and Light|website=albumism.com|date=October 25, 2017|access-date=February 28, 2020}}

On September 2, 2022 during a performance at Rock in Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, guitarist Steve Vai joined Living Colour on stage for a rendition of "Cult of Personality."{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3yDyZrKOV4|title=Living Colour - Cult Of Personality w/ Steve Vai at Rock In Rio 2022|publisher=YouTube|access-date=August 20, 2023|date=September 15, 2022}}

The band announced on December 10, 2022 that they had entered the studio to begin recording their seventh studio album.{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/living-colour-check-in-from-the-studio-video|title=LIVING COLOUR Check In From The Studio (Video)|magazine=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|access-date=December 14, 2022|date=December 10, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/living_colour_is_in_the_studio_album_could_be_out_in_2023.html|title=Living Colour Is in the Studio, Album Could Be Out in 2023|publisher=Ultimate Guitar|access-date=December 14, 2022|date=December 12, 2022}}

In 2023, the band embarked on a US tour with Extreme.{{cite news|url=https://extreme-band.com/extreme-announce-2023-u-s-tour-with-living-colour-reveal-two-new-songs/|title=Extreme Announce 2023 U.S. Tour With Living Colour, Reveal Two New Songs|website=extreme-band.com|date=April 20, 2023|access-date=August 15, 2023}}

In 2025, Living Colour performed "Cult of Personality" live during CM Punk's entrance at WrestleMania 41 for his main event match against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.{{Cite web |last=Bachar |first=Zach |title=Living Colour Plays 'Cult of Personality' for CM Punk's WWE WrestleMania 41 Entrance |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25188332-living-colour-plays-cult-personality-cm-punks-wwe-wrestlemania-41-entrance |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}

Acclaim and legacy

Living Colour was ranked No. 70 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxm64mApR05CJVCePlmcUFluSZyiAvKZ8|title=VH1 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock – YouTube|website=YouTube|access-date=May 5, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521004536/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxm64mApR05CJVCePlmcUFluSZyiAvKZ8|archive-date=May 21, 2017}}

"Cult of Personality" was re-recorded for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, with an updated solo, as the original masters could not be used.

In October 2006, "Love Rears Its Ugly Head" was ranked and voted 303 out of the 2006 songs featured in the Triple M Essential 2006 Countdown.

Rolling Stone have called the band "funk metal pioneers."Fricke, David (November 13, 2003). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090412062112/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/livingcolour/albums/album/290616/review/6209668/collideoscope Living Colour: Collideoscope : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone]. Archived from [https://web.archive.org/web/20090311015938/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/livingcolour/albums/album/290616/review/6209668/collideoscope the original] on April 12, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2012.

In early 2009, WWE used "Cult of Personality" in the video promoting the induction of Stone Cold Steve Austin into its Hall of Fame. Outside of his use of it in professional wrestling.

In 2011, WWE wrestler CM Punk returned with Cult of Personality as his theme song for his highly appreciated Summer of Punk run. Punk had used this song before when he used to perform for Ring of Honor. Upon joining WWE, he didn't try to get the song as his theme because he believed that WWE won't get a song licensed for a mid-card wrestler. He used the song for his AEW run as well between 2021 and 2023. CM Punk also entered to the song for his debut mixed martial arts bout at UFC 203 and subsequently at UFC 225 for his fight versus Mike Jackson.

Members

  • Vernon Reid – lead guitar, guitar synthesizer, programming, laptop, backing vocals (1984–1995, 2000–present); lead vocals (1984–1985)
  • Corey Glover – lead vocals, occasional rhythm guitar, tambourine (1985–1995, 2000–present)
  • Will Calhoun – drums, percussion, keyboards, samples, loops, programming, backing vocals (1986–1995, 2000–present)
  • Doug Wimbish – bass, drums, guitar, programming, backing vocals (1992–1995, 2000–present)

;Former members

  • Alex Mosely – bass
  • Jerome Harris – bass
  • Carl James – bass
  • Greg Carter – drums
  • Pheeroan akLaff – drums
  • J. T. Lewis – drums
  • Geri Allen – keyboards (died; 2017)
  • D. K. Dyson – lead vocals
  • Mark Ledford – lead vocals (died; 2004)
  • Muzz Skillings – bass, backing vocals (1986–1991, one-off show in 2006)
  • Doug Pinnick – lead vocals (2006; substitute){{Cite web |last= |date=2006-08-16 |title=LIVING COLOUR Guitarist: 'DOUG PINNICK Is An Incredible Vocalist And Bassist' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/living-colour-guitarist-doug-pinnick-is-an-incredible-vocalist-and-bassist/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}

= Timeline =

{{#tag:timeline|

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Period = from:01/01/1984 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

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Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1984

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1984

Colors =

id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_Vocals

id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_Vocals

id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_Guitar,_Synthesizer,_Laptop

id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_Guitar

id:aguitar value:green legend:Additional_Guitar

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:perc value:Claret legend:Percussion

id:keyboards value:purple legend:Keyboards

id:samples value:lightpurple legend:Samples,_Loops

id:programming value:lavender legend:Programming

id:album value:black legend:Studio_Album

id:other value:gray(0.70) legend:Other_Release

LineData =

color:other layer:back

at:01/01/1994

at:01/11/2005

at:02/05/2005

at:10/28/2008

at:03/10/2009

at:11/14/1995

at:01/27/1998

at:04/28/1998

at:04/05/2005

at:01/17/2006

at:06/16/1991

at:09/09/2016

color:album layer:back

at:05/02/1988

at:08/28/1990

at:03/02/1993

at:10/07/2003

at:09/15/2009

at:09/08/2017

BarData =

bar:D.K. text:"D.K. Dyson"

bar:Mark text:"Mark Ledford"

bar:Doug_P text:"Doug Pinnick"

bar:Corey text:"Corey Glover"

bar:Vernon text:"Vernon Reid"

bar:Alex text:"Alex Mosley"

bar:Jerome text:"Jerome Harris"

bar:Carl text:"Carl James

bar:Muzz text:"Muzz Skillings"

bar:Doug text:"Doug Wimbish"

bar:Geri text:"Geri Allen"

bar:Greg text:"Greg Carter"

bar:Pheeroan text:"Pheeroan akLaff"

bar:J.T. text:"J.T. Lewis"

bar:Will text:"Will Calhoun"

PlotData =

width:13

bar:D.K. from:02/01/1985 till:04/01/1985 color:lvocals

bar:Mark from:04/01/1985 till:06/01/1985 color:lvocals

bar:Doug_P from:06/01/1985 till:08/01/1985 color:lvocals

bar:Corey from:08/01/1985 till:01/01/1995 color:lvocals

bar:Corey from:01/01/2000 till:end color:lvocals

bar:Corey from:08/01/1985 till:01/01/1995 color:rguitar width:7

bar:Corey from:01/01/2000 till:end color:rguitar width:7

bar:Corey from:08/01/1985 till:01/01/1995 color:perc width:3

bar:Corey from:01/01/2000 till:end color:perc width:3

bar:Vernon from:01/01/1984 till:01/01/1995 color:lguitar

bar:Vernon from:01/01/2000 till:end color:lguitar

bar:Vernon from:01/01/1984 till:02/01/1985 color:lvocals width:3

bar:Vernon from:01/01/1984 till:08/01/1985 color:rguitar width:9

bar:Vernon from:01/01/1984 till:01/01/1995 color:programming width:7

bar:Vernon from:02/01/1985 till:01/01/1995 color:bvocals width:3

bar:Vernon from:01/01/2000 till:end color:programming width:7

bar:Vernon from:01/01/2000 till:end color:bvocals width:3

bar:Alex from:01/01/1984 till:08/01/1984 color:bass

bar:Jerome from:08/01/1984 till:04/01/1985 color:bass

bar:Carl from:04/01/1985 till:01/01/1986 color:bass

bar:Muzz from:01/01/1986 till:01/01/1992 color:bass

bar:Muzz from:01/01/1986 till:01/01/1992 color:bvocals width:3

bar:Doug from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1995 color:bass

bar:Doug from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1995 color:drums width:9

bar:Doug from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1995 color:aguitar width:7

bar:Doug from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1995 color:programming width:5

bar:Doug from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1995 color:bvocals width:3

bar:Doug from:01/01/2000 till:end color:bass

bar:Doug from:01/01/2000 till:end color:drums width:9

bar:Doug from:01/01/2000 till:end color:aguitar width:7

bar:Doug from:01/01/2000 till:end color:programming width:5

bar:Doug from:01/01/2000 till:end color:bvocals width:3

bar:Geri from:01/01/1984 till:01/01/1986 color:keyboards

bar:Greg from:01/01/1984 till:08/01/1984 color:drums

bar:Pheeroan from:08/01/1984 till:04/01/1985 color:drums

bar:J.T. from:04/01/1985 till:01/01/1986 color:drums

bar:Will from:01/01/1986 till:01/01/1995 color:drums

bar:Will from:01/01/1986 till:01/01/1995 color:perc width:11

bar:Will from:01/01/1986 till:01/01/1995 color:keyboards width:9

bar:Will from:01/01/1986 till:01/01/1995 color:samples width:7

bar:Will from:01/01/1986 till:01/01/1995 color:programming width:5

bar:Will from:01/01/1986 till:01/01/1995 color:bvocals width:3

bar:Will from:01/01/2000 till:end color:drums

bar:Will from:01/01/2000 till:end color:perc width:11

bar:Will from:01/01/2000 till:end color:keyboards width:9

bar:Will from:01/01/2000 till:end color:samples width:7

bar:Will from:01/01/2000 till:end color:programming width:5

bar:Will from:01/01/2000 till:end color:bvocals width:3

}}

Discography

{{Main|Living Colour discography}}

Awards

=MTV Video Music Awards=

=Grammy Awards=

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{sister project links|d=Q1478077|c=category:Living Colour|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|wikt=no|s=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}

  • {{Official website}}
  • {{allMusic}}

{{Living Colour|state=uncollapsed}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Push Best New Artist}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1984 establishments in New York City

Category:African-American hard rock musical groups

Category:African-American heavy metal musical groups

Category:African-American musical quartets

Category:American alternative metal musical groups

Category:American experimental rock groups

Category:American funk metal musical groups

Category:Epic Records artists

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category:Hard rock musical groups from New York (state)

Category:Heavy metal musical groups from New York (state)

Category:Megaforce Records artists

Category:Musical groups established in 1984

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1995

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2000

Category:Musical groups from New York City

Category:Musical quartets from New York (state)

Category:American political music groups