The Meters

American funk band formed in 1965 in New Orleans by Zigaboo Modeliste (drums), George Porter Jr. (bass), Leo Nocentelli (guitar) and Art Neville (keyboards). They disbanded in 1979 due to business problems.

Considered by many to be one of the founding fathers of funk, The Meters created a unique sound that lasted through the sixties and seventies and was reborn in the late eighties. Their trademark sound blends funk, blues, and dance grooves with a New Orleans vibe.

They became the house band for [a=Allen Toussaint] and his record label, [a1530409]. In 1969 the Meters released "Sophisticated Cissy" and "Cissy Strut", both major R&B chart hits. Cyril Neville, Art Neville's brother, joined the band in 1975 as a percussionist and vocalist for three of their albums for Reprise/Warner Brothers.

The original line-up reformed after an informal jam during the 1989 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. In 1994, Art Neville and Porter, alongside two new members, were officially christened The [a5214860], and continued to perform into the next decade.