The owner of the greatest sample in history, the "Amen Break," is receiving some financial restitution thanks to a new online fundraising campaign, although it barely scrapes the surface of the profit its brought hundreds of performers since its creation (from Resident Advisor).
Richard L. Spencer was the frontman of The Winstons, a Washington D.C. soul outfit that made history twice using one 45-rpm single. The A-side, the actual single "Color Him Father" sold more than a million copies. However the B-side "Amen, Brother" would launch the band into music history. Percussionist Gregory Coleman's short, six-second solo on the song was later included on Breakbeat Lenny's 1989 collection Ultimate Breaks and Beats and gathered popularity for its role in allowing DJ's to switch beats thanks to Coleman's own switch of beats. Its popularity led it to becoming perhaps the most sampled moment in music history, appearing on tracks from N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton" to the Futurama theme music.
Unfortunately, neither Coleman or Spencer have seen any portion of royalties for their efforts. Coleman died in poverty during 2006.
Martyn Webster, a British citizen, listened to a BBC radio documentary on the break and was inspired to start a fundraiser for Spencer's sake via GoFundMe.
"It got me thinking, that no one had actually taken up the challenge of trying to fulfill his wishes, so I immediately tasked myself with getting in contact with Richard, which I managed quite quickly," he said. "I explained my plan to try to get a donation page up and running, and got his blessings to do so. All monies raised will be given to him, as the copyright owner of 'Amen, Brother'."
As of publication time, the crowd funding campaign had brought in the equivalent of $6,300. Among the donors were DJs Ben UFO and Rob Da Bank.
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