The Brides of Funkenstein were a musical group comprised of Lynn Mabry and Dawn Silva. Previously background singers for Sly Stone, Mabry and Silva joined the P-Funk collective in 1977. George Clinton renamed them, and recorded their first album, "Funk Or Walk", for Atlantic Records in 1978. The Brides of Funkenstein charted at Number 7 on the R&B Hit charts, "Disco To Go" was certified gold. The duo became the opening act fixture of the P-Funk road shows. Lynn Mabry left the group in 1979. Dawn Silva, the original lead vocalist, would pick up the torch and invite back-up vocalist "Bridesmaids", Sheila Horne and Jeanette McGruder to sing on the second Brides album, "Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy". Dawn Silva, Sheila Horne and Jeanette McGruder were to receive a Cashbox Rhythm & Blues award for best new female artist, beating out The Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge, and Cheryl Lynn. The trio recorded a third album, "Shadows On The Wall" in 1980. Most of the Brides' material from the un-released third album was gradually featured, song by song, throughout the P-Funk catalogue. Mabry and singer Edna Holt toured with Talking Heads in 1984, appearing in the famed concert film Stop Making Sense along with P-Funk colleague Bernie Worrell. Dawn Silva and Lynn Mabry had a brief reunion in 1981 as the New Wave Brides, opening for Grace Jones, and a lengthy tour with Was (Not Was). Dawn Silva released her debut solo CD in 2000. Entitled "All My Funky Friends," it garnered rave reviews in Europe and Asia.
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