The Sound of Young America: Bootsy Collins, Legendary Funk Bassist

Episode notes

Bootsy Collins is a legend in the world of funk. He’s a bassist who came to his instrument by happenstance and fell in love. 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. Bootsy went on to play with another notoriously inventive and pioneering funk artist, George Clinton, as part of Funkadelic and Parliament.

He continued the funk with Bootsy’s Rubber Band and a number of other musical collaborations. He recently released a new album, Tha Funk Capitol Of The World, and he currently teaches bass at his own Funk University.

Bootsy talks to us about being on the forefront of funk, playing with James Brown, doing LSD on stage, quitting and/or being fired from the JB’s, joining up with the Parliament-Funkadelic collective, and his own amazing solo career.

Track list:
Ahh…The Name Is Bootsy, Baby-Bootsy Collins-(Album of same name)
Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag-James Brown
Licking Stick-James Brown
Soul Power-James Brown
What So Never the Dance-Houseguests
Up For The Down Stroke-Parliament-Best Of
Mothership Connection (Star Child)-Parliament-Mothership Connection
Stretchin’ Out (In A Rubber Band)-Bootsy Collins-Stretchin’ Out In Bootsy’s Rubber Band
Freedumb-Bootsy Collins-Tha Funk Capitol of Da World