Bootsy Collins Biography

Bootsy Collins is a funk and R&B bassist who rose to popularity with James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic in the early 1970s. Collins, who was born in Detroit, established the Pacesetters in the 1960s, a group that comprised not only vocalist Philippe Wynne (later of The Spinners fame) but also sideman, George Clinton. From 1969 until 1971, Collins and his friends were members of the JB's, James Brown's backup band. Collins' ingenious progressions and rhythms were crucial to the success of albums like Get Up, I Feel Like a Sex-Machine. In 1971, Collins became a member of Bill Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic empire. With Clinton and Jerome Brailey, he co-wrote Tear the Roof Off the Sucker and established himself so well that Clinton encouraged him to create his own band. In 1976, Collins' brother Phelps (Catfish) and some other James Brown band members formed Bootsy's Rubber Band, a lively group that comprised Collins' brother Phelps (Catfish) and some other James Brown band members. Collins' theatrical act included he alter egos Bootzilla and Casper, the Friendly Ghost. Collins' witty, strange humor and outlandish lyrics were featured on their debut album, Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band, and their second release, Ahh...The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! Ahh... and Bootsy, the third LP? Player of the Year, with gold records and a spot in the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1978, his lone R&B chart #1 was Bootzilla, while The Pinocchio Theory also charted in the top 10. In the 1980s, Collins recorded as a solo artist and with The Rubber Band. He has worked on some unique projects, such as a 1984 collaboration with Talking Heads' Jerry Harrison. With the fittingly titled What's Bootsy Doin'?, he returned to Columbia in 1988. On Malcolm McLaren's album Waltz Dancing in 1989, Bootsy was a member of the Bootzilla Orchestra. He joined the dance music duo Deee-Lite as a featured guitarist and bassist a year later and toured England with a group co-led by Parker and Wesley. Blasters of the Universe was released by Bootsy's New Rubber Band in 1994, while Fresh Outta 'P' University was released four years later. Keepin' dat Funk Alive was published by Bootsy's New Rubber Band in 1995. Bootsy published the holiday album Christmas Is 4 Ever after a few collaborations and creating music for the Cincinnati Bengals. He has assisted in the composition of music for films and television series such as Loonatics Unleashed and Superbad. Bootsy has just published The Funk Capital of the World, a concept album, performed at the 10th Annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, and appeared in an Old Navy TV ad. Collins also founded Funk University (Funk U) in July 2010, an online-only bass guitar school where he serves as curator and primary lecturer.

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