William Earl "Bootsy" Collins (born October 26, 1951) is
an American funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.
Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with
Parliament-Funkadelic in the '70s, Collins's driving bass guitar
and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in
funk.[1] Collins is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted
in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.
With his elder brother Phelps "Catfish" Collins, and Kash
Waddy and Philippé Wynne, Collins formed a funk band called
The Pacemakers in 1968.
In March 1970, after most of the members of James Brown's band quit
over a pay dispute, The Pacemakers were hired as Brown's backing
band and they became known as The J.B.'s. (They are often referred
to as the "original" J.B.'s to distinguish them from later
line-ups that went by the same name.) Although they worked for Brown
for only 11 months, the original J.B.'s played on some of Brown's
most intense funk recordings, including "Get Up (I Feel Like
Being a) Sex Machine", "Super Bad", "Soul Power",
and "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing".
It is known[by whom?] that the young Bootsy clashed several times
with the rigid system Brown used to discipline the young band whenever
he felt they stepped out of line.
[edit] House Guests, P-Funk, Rubber Band and Sweat Band
After parting ways with James Brown, Bootsy returned to Cincinnati
and formed House Guests with his brother Phelps Collins, Rufus Allen,
Clayton "Chicken" Gunnels, Frank Waddy, Ronnie Greenaway
and Robert McCullough. The House Guests released two singles on the
House Guests label as well as a third as The Sound of Vision on the
House Guests label.
Collins next moved to Detroit, following the advice of singer and
future Parliament member Mallia Franklin. Franklin introduced both
Collins brothers to George Clinton, and 1972 saw both of the Collins
brothers, along with Waddy, join Funkadelic. Bootsy played bass on
most of Funkadelic and Parliament's albums through 1980, garnering
several songwriting credits as well.
In 1976 Bootsy, Catfish, Waddy, Joel Johnson, Gary "Mudbone" Cooper,
Robert Johnson and The Horny Horns formed Bootsy's Rubber Band, a
separate touring unit of Clinton's P-Funk collective. The group recorded
four albums together, the first three of which are often considered
to be among the quintessential P-Funk recordings. The group's 1978
album Bootsy? Player of the Year reached the top of the R&B album
chart and spawned the #1 R&B single "Bootzilla".
Like Clinton, Bootsy took on several alter egos, from Casper the
Funky Ghost to Bootzilla, "the world's only rhinestone rockstar
monster of a doll", as parts of the evolving character of an
alien rock star who grew gradually more bizarre as time went on (see
P-Funk mythology). He also adopted his trademark "space bass" around
this time.
Bootsy also released a 1980 album, Sweat Band, on George Clinton's
Uncle Jam label with a group billed as Bootsy's Sweat Band.
[edit] 1980s and later
In 1984, Bootsy collaborated with Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads
to produce "Five Minutes", a dance record sampled and edited
from Ronald Reagan's infamous "Five Minutes" speech. The
record was credited to "Bonzo goes to Washington" (also
referenced in the 1985 Ramones song ""Bonzo goes to Bitburg"",
derived from Reagan's starring role as Professor Peter Boyd in the
1951 comedy film Bedtime for Bonzo).
In 1990, Bootsy collaborated with Deee-Lite on their massive hit "Groove
Is in the Heart" where he contributed additional vocals. Although
he also appeared in the music video playing the bass, the bassline
in the song is actually a sample of a Herbie Hancock song called "Bring
Down the Birds". Bootsy's Rubber Band became the defacto backing
musicians for Deee-Lite during a world tour.
In 1992, Bootsy joined with guitarist Stevie Salas and drummer Buddy
Miles to form the funk-metal fusion group Hardware. The trio released
one album, Third Eye Open, before disbanding.
Bootsy collaborated with bluegrass legends Del McCoury, Doc Watson
and Mac Wiseman to form the GrooveGrass Boyz. They produced a fusion
of bluegrass and funk.
In 1994, Bootsy contributed extensively to the Soup Dragons' last
album, Hydroponic[2]
In 1995, Bootsy played in the remake of Jimi Hendrix's "If
6 Was 9," for Axiom Funk, a Funkadelic-like one-off supergroup
produced by Bill Laswell and featuring (Funkadelic members) George
Clinton, Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins, (the guitar of the late)
Eddie Hazel, Gary Shider and Bill Laswell . The group released only
one album, and the song also appeared in the soundtrack of the movie
Stealing Beauty.
Bootsy has collaborated extensively with Bill Laswell and made appearances
on two Fatboy Slim records, as well as reading a poem at the end
of FatBoy Slims's release in the LateNightTales dj mix series. Bootsy
provided "vocal spice" on the TobyMac album Welcome to
Diverse City. He also appears on Nicole C. Mullens' latest album, "Everyday
People". He has also worked with the Lo-Fidelity Allstars on
the album 'Don't be Afraid of Love', with Praxis, and with Buckethead
on several occasions, for example on Buckethead's first album, "Bucketheadland".
Bootsy was featured in the 2002 film Standing in the Shadows of Motown.
In 2004 he appeared on Snoop Dogg's Rhythm & Gangsta album and
on the cover of "The Joker" on the Fatboy Slim album Palookaville.[3]
In 2005, Bootsy Collins added vocals to fellow bassist Victor Wooten's
album Soul Circus. He also served as "Heineken's Amsterjam 2005" curator
and master of ceremonies on Randall's Island, New York, and appeared
with Madonna, Iggy Pop, Little Richard, and The Roots' Questlove,
in an American TV commercial for the Motorola ROKR phone.
In October, 2005, Collins co-wrote a song celebrating the resurgence
of his hometown team, the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football
League called "Fear Da Tiger" which features "raps" written
and performed by several Bengals players, including defensive end
Duane Clemons, offensive tackle Stacy Andrews, and center Ben Wilkerson.
An edited version of the song was made into a music video which features
cameos by many other Bengals players. It has garnered tremendous
local airplay and is viewable on Bengals.com Additionally, Cincinnati
Bell is offering "Fear Da Tiger" as a free ringtone for
its wireless customers in both polyphonic and MP3 formats. Collins
appeared with Little Richard, Bernie Worrell, and other notable musicians
as the band playing with Hank Williams, Jr. for the Monday Night
Football opening during for the 2006 season. Collins was the only
all star to return with Williams for the 2007 season.
He also sings "Marshal Law", the theme song of the Cincinnati
Marshals indoor football team. He debuted the song on April 29, at
halftime of a Marshals home game against the West Palm Beach Phantoms.
In 2006, ABC Entertainment / A Charly Films Release released a DVD/CD
from Bootsy Collins and the New Rubber Band's concert at the 1998
North Sea Jazz Festival. In the same year, Collins split from long-time
friend and guitarist Odhran "The Bodhran" Rameriz, citing
creative differences as the reason.
Also in 2006, Collins recorded music for the animated television
series Loonatics Unleashed. Collins also voiced the character Bootes
Belinda in the episode The Music Villain.[4]
In April, 2007, Bootsy announced plans to begin a restaurant/club
with Cincinnati area restaurateur Jeff Ruby. The restaurant is to
be called "Bootsy's." The venue operated 2008-2010 before
closing. It featured live musical acts, a museum dedicated to Bootsy's
musical career and Spanish, Central and South American cuisine.
In June 2007, Bootsy Collins, along with Phelps Collins, Clyde Stubblefield,
John "Jabo" Starks, and Bernie Worrell, participated in
the recording of the soundtrack for the movie Superbad.
In July 2007, Bootsy also told Billboard magazine that he's working
on a project by the name of Science Faxtion and an album called Living
On Another Frequency in which he serves as bassist and co-producer
along with his lead vocalist Greg Hampton. The band also features
guitarist Buckethead and drummer Brain.[5] The album was released
in November 2008.[6]
Bootsy Collins and Fatboy Slim, 2008
Collins promoted Rock the Vote for its 2008 campaign together with
Buckethead.[7]
Bootsy produced Junkyard Waltz by funk band Freekbass from Ohio
came out October 27.
Bootsy has been mentioned in the song "Genius of Love" by
Tom Tom Club in the line "Clinton's musicians such as Bootsy
Collins raise expectation to a new intention", while "Got
more bass than Bootsy Collins" is a line in the song "Rumble
in the Jungle" by the Fugees. His influence in popular culture
is seen in that he has been referenced by a number of television
series. In The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode "Sooooooul Train",
Geoffrey sneaks into the Soul Train tapings posing as Bootsy Collins,
while in The Mighty Boosh episode "The Legend of Old Gregg" an
alien creature named 'The Funk' lands on Bootsy's house, giving him
his ability to play the bass guitar "like some kinda delirious
funky priest", as well as the ability to see around corners.
His song I'd Rather Be With You was featured in the movie Baby Boy
and on January 26, 2007, Bootsy, a native of Cincinnati, gave the
commencement address at the graduation ceremony at The Art Institute
of Ohio - Cincinnati.. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, who cited
Collins as one of his primary influences, appeared in unmistakably
Bootsy-esque clothing in the video for RHCP's "Dani California",
and Bootsy's "What's a Telephone Bill?" was sampled for
2Pac's "Str8 Ballin'" track off the THUG LIFE album..
In 2009 Collins collaborated with Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek on the
track "Internet Connection".[8]
In October 2010 Bootsy was awarded a Bass Player Magazine Lifetime
Achievement Award at the Key Club in Los Angeles.
In March 2011 Bootsy and his wife visited Franklin L. Williams M.S
#7 's Little Kids Rock program.
On the 15th April 2011, Bootsy appeared on Later... with Jools Holland,
performing a memorable snippet of funk with Jools.
In June 2011 Bootsty will play the 10th Annual Bonnaroo Music and
Arts Festival in Manchester, TN.
[edit] Bass guitars
Bootsy's original "Space Bass" and its replacement (before
recovery after theft) was made in Warren, Michigan by Larry Pless
of Gus Zoppi's music store. The first Space Bass had a mahogany body
and maple neck, white finish and mirror pick guard. (This is the
Space Bass on the cover of 1976 album " Strechin' Out In Bootsy's
Rubber Band)[9]
Collins' current signature instrument is a custom-built star-shaped
bass guitar he calls the "Space Bass", built for him by
Manuel "Manny" Salvador of GuitarCraft in 1998. In 2006
Collins made an agreement with Traben to make a signature Bootsy
Collins model bass called the "Bootzilla". During the 2010
NAMM Show, Collins' new signature bass guitar was released by Warwick,
a customized Infinity Bass called "Bootsy Collins Black Star
Signature Bass" or "Bootsy Collins Orange Star Signature
Bass", depending on the color of the stars on it.
[edit] Bootsy Collins' Funk University
In July 2010, Collins, in partnership with former child actor Cory
Danziger,[10] launched Funk University ("Funk U"), an online-only
bass guitar school in which he also serves as curator and lead professor.
Funk University offers an intense curriculum tailored for intermediate
to advanced bass players as well as anyone interested in a deeper
understanding of funk. The curriculum is based on bass theory, history
of funk, and Collins' own musical history given by Collins himself,
augmented by lessons and exercises in bass and rhythm from guest
bassist professors such as Les Claypool, Meshelle Ndegeocello, John
B (Williams) and Victor Wooten. Enrolled students gain access to
the virtual campus which, in addition to the multimedia lectures,
includes a comprehensive subject library containing audio and multimedia
music files, tablatures, and articles. Students participate in interactive
questionnaires, polls, competitions (including track submissions),
and are subjected to regular reviews by faculty members, who have
designated "office hours" during which students can ask
questions. Students and faculty can post or reply in the university's
online forum (the Cafeteria).[11] Eventually, the curriculum will
be expanded to include other instruments.[12]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
Year Band Album title Record label
1976 Bootsy's Rubber Band Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band
Warner Bros. Records
1977 Bootsy's Rubber Band Ahh... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! Warner
Bros. Records
1978 Bootsy's Rubber Band Bootsy? Player of the Year Warner Bros.
Records
1979 Bootsy's Rubber Band This Boot is Made for Fonk-N Warner Bros.
Records
1980 Bootsy Collins Ultra Wave Warner Bros. Records
1980 Sweat Band Sweat Band Uncle Jam/Columbia Records
1982 Bootsy Collins The One Giveth, the Count Taketh Away Warner
Bros. Records
1988 Bootsy Collins What's Bootsy Doin'? Columbia Records
1990 Bootsy's Rubber Band Jungle Bass 4th & Broadway
1992 Praxis Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) Axiom
1994 Bootsy's New Rubber Band Blasters of the Universe Rykodisc
1994 Zillatron Lord of the Harvest Rykodisc
1994 Praxis Sacrifist Subharmonic
1995 Bootsy's New Rubber Band Keepin' Dah Funk Alive 4-1995 Rykodisc
1997 Bootsy Collins Fresh Outta 'P' University WEA/Black Culture
1998 Bootsy's Rubber Band Live in Louisville 1978 Disky
2001 Bootsy's Rubber Band Live in Oklahoma 1976 Funk to the Max
2002 Bootsy Collins Play with Bootsy WEA International
2006 Bootsy's New Rubber Band Live in Concert 1998 ABC Entertainment/Charly
Films
2006 Bootsy Collins Christmas Is 4 Ever Shout Factory
2008 Science Faxtion Living on Another Frequency Mascot Records
2009 Bootsy Collins The Official Boot-Legged-Bootsy-CD Bootzilla
2011 Bootsy Collins Tha Funk Capital of the World Mascot Records
[edit] Singles
Year Song title Peak chart positions
U.S. R&B Singles
1976 "I'd Rather be with You" 25
"
Stretching Out (In a Rubber Band)" 18
1977 "Can't Stay Away" 19
"
Psychoticbumpschool" 69
"
The Pinocchio Theory" 6
1978 "Bootzilla" 1
"
Hollywood Squares" 17
1979 "Bootsy Get Live" 38
"
Jam Fan (Hot)" 13
1980 "Mug Push" 25
1981 "F-Encounter" 51
1982 "Body Slam!" 12
"
Shine-O-Myte (Rag Popping)" 78
"
Take a Lickin' and Keep on Kickin'" 29
1988 "Party on Plastic (What's Bootsy Doin'?)" 27
[edit] Promotional videos
Party on Plastic (What's Bootsy Doin'?) (1988)
Undacova Funk (feat. Snoop Dogg) (2002)
Play With Bootsy (2002)