Bootsy Collins, Funk Legend

Episode notes

(Photo: Jesse Grant / Getty Images for NAMM)

Bootsy Collins is a legend in the world of funk.

He’s a bassist who came to his instrument by happenstance. He was only in his teens when he was discovered and hired by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, to be part of his backing band known as The J.B.’s.

He went on to play with another notoriously inventive funk artist, George Clinton, as part of Parliament and Funkadelic. He continued the funk with Bootsy’s Rubber Band and a number of other musical collaborations.

Bootsy helped create the revolution that was funk.

We’ll revisit our conversation from 2011. Bootsy talked with Jesse about his career as one of pop music’s greatest bass players, being on the forefront of funk and playing with James Brown. Plus, where’d he get those dope star glasses?

Bootsy’s latest release is a single called “Stars,” and it’s part of an effort to raise money for music industry folks affected by the pandemic. You can listen to the single here and support the cause by going to the MusiCares website.

In this episode...

Jesse Thorn

Host

Kevin Ferguson

Senior Producer

Jesus Ambrosio

Producer

Richard Robey

Maximum Fun Producer

Daniel Huecias

Maximum Fun Production Fellow

Guests

Bootsy Collins

About the show

Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.

Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney’s, which called it “the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world.” Since April 2013, the show has been distributed by NPR.

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