Hohner Fire 32-key Melodica used by Bootsy’s Rubber Band

The melodica has been an essential element of Bootsy’s live shows since the very first Bootsy’s Rubber Band tour in 1976. P-Funk keyboardist Bernie Worrell played the compact wind instrument on “I’d Rather Be With You” from that year’s Stretchin’ Out with Bootsy’s Rubber Band, coloring Bootsy’s signature song with its signature ghostly notes. In recent years, Ohio musician Rashon Murph—currently the music director for El Debarge—occupied Bernie’s old seat on tour with Bootsy, using this red-and-black Hohner Fire Melodica to perform “I’d Rather Be With You,” among other tracks. His nickname, “Ramu,” is written in marker on the plastic carrying case. Germany’s nearly two-hundred-year-old Hohner company invented the melodica in the 1950s; the “Fire,” part of its Force Melodica series, is one of its newest models. As stated in their catalog description, “A red body and black and red keys make for a fierce look.”Specs:Tonal range: f, small octave, c, three-lined octave Length: 42 cm / 16.5”