Joseph “Amp” Fiddler (1958–2023) was a major influence in Detroit’s music scene. His career spanned decades and genres, leaving a significant mark on the city’s sound. This month, the city of Detroit honored his legacy by naming a street after him—Amp Fiddler Avenue—at the corner of 7 Mile and Revere Avenue in Conant Gardens, the neighborhood where he grew up and began his musical journey.
Fiddler’s musical journey began with jazz studies under Harold McKinney and led to early tours with the group Enchantment. In the 1980s, he joined George Clinton’s Parliament/Funkadelic as a keyboardist and co-producer. Clinton’s fusion of funk and experimentation is widely credited as a foundational influence on the development of Techno. Fiddler helped shape the genre both directly and through his collaborations with artists such as Jamiroquai, The Brand New Heavies, Prince, Seal, and Maxwell.
One of Fiddler’s keyboards is currently on view in Techno: The Rise of Detroit’s Machine Music at the MSU Museum, highlighting his contributions to Detroit’s electronic music legacy.
Visit the Techno exhibition through July 12, 2025, at the MSU Museum’s temporary downtown location at 311 Abbot Rd, East Lansing.
