Bootsy Collins

  • Cincinnati, OH
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  • Funk
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  • 1969
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About Bootsy Collins


Bootsy Collins is one of the all-time great funk and R&B bassists, besides being a consummate character. Born in Detroit, Collins formed the Pacesetters during the '60s, a unit that not only included vocalist Philippe Wynne (later of Spinners fame), but also George Clinton as a sideman. Collins and Clinton soon established a lifelong personal and musical friendship, and Collins and his comrades became part of the JB's, James Brown's backing band, from 1969 to 1971.

Collins' inspired, clever progressions and patterns were a vital part of such records as "Get Up, I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine." The group became the House Guests after departing the JB's, until Collins joined Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic empire in 1971. He co-wrote "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker" with Clinton and Jerome Brailey and established himself so effectively that Clinton urged him to form his own band. Bootsy's Rubber Band emerged in 1976, a spirited ensemble that included Collins' brother Phelps ("Catfish"), as well as fellow James Brown bandmembers Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker, Joel Johnson, Gary Cooper, Rick Gardner, and Richard Griffiths. (Collins also featured his alter egos "Bootzilla" and "Casper, the Friendly Ghost" as part of the stage act.)

Their debut LP, Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band, and their second release, Ahh...The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! equalled anything issued during Clinton's peak period for idiomatic diversity, clever, bizarre humor, and outrageous lyrics. Both Ahh... and the third LP, Bootsy? Player of the Year, earned gold records and made it into the Top 20 on the pop charts. The single "Bootzilla" was his lone R&B chart topper in 1978, although "The Pinocchio Theory" also made the Top Ten.

Collins recorded as both a solo artist and with the Rubber Band in the '80s. He also did some special projects, such as a 1984 collaboration with Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads -- using the name Bonzo Goes to Washington -- that produced "5 Minutes (C-C-C-Club Mix)," featuring Ronald Reagan declaring nuclear war on the Soviet Union over a skittering rhythm track. In 1988, he returned on Columbia with the appropriately named What's Bootsy Doin'? In 1989, Bootsy was a member of the Bootzilla Orchestra on Malcolm McLaren's album Waltz Dancing. One year later, he became a featured guitarist and bassist with the dance music trio Deee-Lite, signed with 4th and Broadway, and also toured England with a group co-led by Parker and Wesley.

Bootsy's New Rubber Band released Blasters of the Universe in 1994, and Fresh Outta 'P' University followed four years later. Numerous Collins live shows and reissues appeared as the 21st century opened, and in 2006, the bassist actually released a Christmas album, Christmas Is 4 Ever, on Shout Records. In 2011, a conceptual album, The Funk Capital of the World, landed, featuring everyone from Ice Cube to Samuel L. Jackson on the guest list. ~ Ron Wynn, Rovi

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Music

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  • Natasha Bedingfield, Iggy Azalea & Bootsy Collins Perform 'Groove Is In The Heart'
    bootsy-collins
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    Natasha Bedingfield, Iggy Azalea & Bootsy Collins Perform 'Groove Is In The Heart'
  • Party On Plastic
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    Party On Plastic
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    • I'd Rather Be With You
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/3/9/1/6/3/115536193.mp3
    • Bootzilla
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/7/1/7/6/3/115536717.mp3
    • What's a Telephone Bill?
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/4/6/2/8/4/157248264.mp3
    • I'd Rather Be With You
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/5/3/2/8/7/234578235.mp3
    • Hollywood Squares
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/6/9/5/7/3/115537596.mp3
    • The Pinocchio Theory
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/9/7/5/3/9/156393579.mp3

Interviews & Exclusives

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  • Stacy Keibler Introduces Natasha Bedingfield, Iggy Azalea & Bootsy Collins
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    Stacy Keibler Introduces Natasha Bedingfield, Iggy Azalea & Bootsy Collins
  • Bootsy Collins Talks Style And Honoring Donna Summer
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    video
    Bootsy Collins Talks Style And Honoring Donna Summer

Photos

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  • Music artist William "Bootsy" Collins poses next to a photo of himself at the opening party for the 40x40 photo exhibit by renowned rock photographer Robert M. Knight, featuring 40 of his iconic images from the last 40 years, at the Symbolic Gallery February 2, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
    Bootsy Collins
    Music artist William "Bootsy" Collins poses next to a photo of himself at the opening party for the 40x40 photo exhibit by renowned rock photographer Robert M. Knight, featuring 40 of his iconic images from the last 40 years, at the Symbolic Gallery February 2, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
    Ethan Miller/Getty Images
  • Musician Bootsy Collins attends the VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2006 at the Hammerstein Ballroom October 7, 2006 in New York City.
    Bootsy Collins
    Musician Bootsy Collins attends the VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2006 at the Hammerstein Ballroom October 7, 2006 in New York City.
    Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
  • Bootsy Collins
    Michael Weintrob

News

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  • Bootsy Collins
    Bootsy Collins and Buckethead Team Up for Science Faxtion
    www.rollingstone.com
    Bootsy Collins' latest project, Science Faxtion, sees the funk great merging his unmistakable bass once again with guitarist Buckethead and drummer Br...
    Read More
  • Bootsy Collins
    Bootsy Collins Opens Doors to 'Funk University'
    prefixmag.com
    of my life will be to see students graduate from F.U." Classes will commence on July 1 and enrollment will be on a first-come, first-served basis. We ...
    Read More
  • Bootsy Collins
    Exclusive Listen: Bootsy Collins' Bouncy 'Don't Take My Funk'
    www.rollingstone.com
    Bootsy Collins' "Don't Take My Funk" Funk legend Bootsy Collins' first album in five years, Tha Funk Capital of the World, isn't in stores until April...
    Read More
  • Bootsy Collins
    George Clinton, Samuel L. Jackson and Dr. Cornell West Join Bootsy Collins on New Album
    www.jambands.com
    April 25 release in the UK (and a date TBD in the US), the new disc is intended to pay tribute "to the people that were influential on creating the fu...
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  • Bootsy Collins
    Bootsy Collins Taps Snoop Dogg, George Clinton for First Album in Five Years | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    the Man" (ft. Rev. Al Sharpton) 5. "Freedumb" (ft. Dr. Cornel West) 6. "After These Messages" (ft. Samuel L. Jackson) 7. "Kool Whip" (ft. Phil Ade & i...
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  • Bootsy Collins
    Chuck D, Bela Fleck, Samuel L. Jackson Featured on New Bootsy Collins
    Paste
    announced yet, but all featured acts are on board. It's just a matter of scheduling before we can all get funky. Tha Funk Capitol of the World drops A...
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  • Bootsy Collins
    Bootsy Collins, Taj Mahal and Robby Krieger Will Experience Hendrix Too
    www.jambands.com
    Bootsy Collins, Taj Mahal, Doors guitarist Robby Krieger and left handed guitarist extraordinaire Eric Gales have joined the lineup for the Experience...
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  • Bootsy Collins
    Bernie Worrell Sits in with Bootsy Collins
    www.jambands.com
    Dino Perrucci Last night, legendary funk bassist Bootsy Collins performed New York's BB King Blues Club. The show turned into something of a funk all-...
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  • Bootsy Collins
    The Roots, Bootsy Collins and the Funk Unity Band, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Lettuce, The New Mastersounds, Antibalas and More Confirmed for Bear Creek
    www.jambands.com
    The Roots, Bootsy Collins and the Funk Unity Band, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Lettuce, The New Mastersounds and Antibalas are among the acts slated ...
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  • Bootsy Collins
    Les Claypool, Thievery Corporation, Conspirator, Butch Trucks, Karl Denson, Galactic, Bootsy Collins, Lotus and Pork Tornado Featuring Jon Fishman Confirmed for Jam Cruise
    www.jambands.com
    Les Claypool's Duo de Twang, Thievery Corporation, Bootsy Collins & the Funk Unity Band, Galactic, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Karl Denson's Ti...
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Discography

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  • Tha Funk Capital of the World (2011)
    Bootsy Collins
    Tha Funk Capital of the World (2011)
    Megaforce
  • Christmas Is 4 Ever (2006)
    Bootsy Collins
    Christmas Is 4 Ever (2006)
    Shout
  • Fear Da Tiger (2005)
    Bootsy Collins
    Fear Da Tiger (2005)
    EO Records
  • Live in Oklahoma 1976 (2004)
    Bootsy Collins
    Live in Oklahoma 1976 (2004)
    Funk Max
  • Play with Bootsy: A Tribute to the Funk (2002)
    Bootsy Collins
    Play with Bootsy: A Tribute to the Funk (2002)
    WEA International
  • Live in Louisville 1978 (1999)
    Bootsy Collins
    Live in Louisville 1978 (1999)
    Simply The Best (Netherlands)
  • Keepin' Dah Funk Alive 4-1995 (1997)
    Bootsy Collins
    Keepin' Dah Funk Alive 4-1995 (1997)
    Rykodisc USA
  • Fresh Outta 'P' University (1997)
    Bootsy Collins
    Fresh Outta 'P' University (1997)
    Private I
  • Blasters of the Universe (1994)
    Bootsy Collins
    Blasters of the Universe (1994)
    Rykodisc USA
  • Save What's Mine for Me (1991)
    Bootsy Collins
    Save What's Mine for Me (1991)
    CBS Records
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