Parker was born in Kinston, North Carolina in a musical home. Both his parents sang in the church choir, and both his brothers are accomplished musicians in their own right (drums and trombones).

He and his brother, Melvin Parker, joined James Brown in 1964. In his book, Brown says that he originally wanted Melvin as his drummer, but agreed to take Maceo under his wing as part of the deal.

Parker, his brother Melvin, and a few of Brown's band members left to found ‘Maceo & All the King's Men’, which toured for two years. In 1973, Parker returned to James Brown's band the ‘J.B.'s’. He also charted a single ‘Party - Part I’ with ‘Maceo & the Macks’ that year.

In 1975, Parker and some of Brown's band members, including Fred Wesley (trombone), left to join George Clinton's band ‘Parliament’. Parker once again joined James Brown from 1984 to 1988.

In the 1990s, Parker finally established a successful solo career. He has released seven solo records and plays 250 tour dates per year. His average play time on stage is more than two and a half hours.

In 1993, Parker made guest appearances on rap group ‘De La Soul's’ album Buhloone Mindstate.

In the late 1990s, Parker began contributing semi-regularly to recordings by Prince and accompanying his band, the ‘New Power Generation’, on tour.



He also played on the ‘Jane's Addiction’ track ‘My Cat's Name is Maceo’ (named after him, or Perry Farrell's cat, or both), for their 1997 compilation album Kettle Whistle.