DETROIT – The legendary dance group, “The Funkateers”, used to tear it up across Metro Detroit and on TV on the Saturday Night Music Machine. Now, the community mourns the loss of Tony “Lace” Lacey, one of the original group members.
Local 4 has been talking to two of the four remaining Funkateers members, and unfortunately, we’ve been discussing Lacey, who passed away a few days ago.
Fortunately, however, they’re keeping his memory alive.
“It’s the second one we done lost,” said Ed Miller. “It hurts so much because he did so much for us as a Funkateer. Even when he wasn’t dancing, he did a lot.”
Miller and Michael Kelly, two of the remaining four members of the Funkateers, remember Lacey, who passed away at 61 from cancer.
“He was such a great part of the group,” said Kelly. “His robotic movements, his personality, and his look. It was just perfect. So right now, it really hurts.”
We actually spoke to him years ago about the impact made on Nat Morris’ “The Scene.”
“We’ve been together 42 years,” said Lacey. “So, it’s been a while to be together, and we’ve got a lot of love for each other.”
If anything good could come out of the situation, the remaining Funkateers were able to see Lacey one last time on his most recent birthday.
“July 10 was his birthday, and he passed on July 11,” Kelly said. “To get that call the next morning that he passed. I guess god wanted to hang together one more time.”
The Funkateers have already been honored with a plaque in the city, but the mayor, Byron Nolen, is echoing that praise further.
“We take great pride in this group, said Nolen. “The Funkateers were historical in our city. A lot of us growing up looked up to them. They changed culture and had a big impact.”
“This guy, he was something special and he will be missed,” Miller said.
To learn more, follow the hashtag “Teers4Life.” They said this is not going to be the end. In fact, they’re going to get together to do more work soon.