Though recent rumors suggest otherwise, Bernie Worrell is not dead. Far from it — the legendary keyboardist, who has played with Parliament-Funkadelic, Mos Def, Deee-Lite and the Talking Heads, is preparing for a trip to Russia and a summer tour.

At 3:00 a.m. Thursday morning (April 18), Judie Worrell, Bernie's wife and manager, began receiving phone calls regarding a death notice for her husband that appeared on an undisclosed Web site. Before long, Judie posted a message on Worrell's official site (www.bernieworrell.com) rebuking the claim.

"No! The rumors of Bernie's death are not true!" she wrote. "As a matter of fact, his birthday is tomorrow (April 19), and we are having a surprise birthday party for him. ... A big 'Thank you' for calling to find out — but please spread the word that this is not true, as I can't get any work done re: the upcoming tours 'cause the phone is ringing off da hook!"

Worrell's treks, which were just announced, begin next week when the keyboardist heads to Russia to join Groove Collective at the Kremlin on April 27 and 28. After that, he and his band, the Woo Warriors, kick off a U.S. jaunt on May 1. The group will tour the South in June and head West in July, though those dates and venues have not been confirmed.

Bernie Worrell's current tour schedule, according to his publicist:

  • 5/1 - Lexington, KY @ Lynagh's
  • 5/2 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Patio
  • 5/3 - Chicago, IL @ Martyrs'
  • 5/4 - Kirkersville, OH @ Spring Fling
  • 5/6 - Knoxville, TN @ Blue Cats
  • 5/8 - Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
  • 5/9 - Asheville, NC @ Stella Blue
  • 5/10 - Wilmington, NC @ Marrz Theatre
  • 5/11 - Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre