Bootsy Collins

Bootsy Collins (born William Collins on October 26, 1951, Cincinnati, Ohio) is a pioneering funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.

Related Topics:
October 26 - 1951 - Cincinnati, Ohio - Funk - Bassist

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With his brother, Catfish Collins, and Kash Waddy and Philippe Wynne, Collins formed a group called The Pacesetters in 1968. Until 1971, the Pacesetters were the backing band for James Brown, and were known in that context as The JB's.

Related Topics:
Catfish Collins - Kash Waddy - Philippe Wynne - The Pacesetters - 1968 - 1971 - James Brown - The JB's

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A possibly apocryphal story states than Brown fired Collins after the latter suffered LSD hallucinations on-stage.

Related Topics:
LSD - Hallucination

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Regardless of his reasons for leaving Brown's band, Collins then moved to Detroit, following the advice of singer and future Parliament member Mallia Franklin.

Related Topics:
Detroit - Mallia Franklin

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Franklin introduced both Collins brothers to George Clinton, and 1972 saw both of the Collins brothers, along with Waddy and Wynne, join Funkadelic. Bootsy played on most of their early albums, garnering several songwriting credits as well. His bass playing was hard, driving and rhythmic, and has been very influential in the development of Funk, Heavy Metal and Soul music.

Related Topics:
George Clinton - 1972 - Funkadelic - Bass - Funk - Heavy Metal - Soul music

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He also took the name "Bootsy" during this time, adopting it as part of an ever-evolving character, an alien rock star who grew gradually more alien, bizarre and flashy as time went on (see P Funk mythology). When Bootsy, Catfish, Waddy, Joel Johnson, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Johnson and The Horny Horns formed Bootsy's Rubber Band in 1976, the character of Bootsy evolved into Bootzilla, a rhinestone-bedecked, flashy rock god.

Related Topics:
P Funk mythology - Joel Johnson - Mudbone Cooper - The Horny Horns - Bootsy's Rubber Band - 1976

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Bootsy's Rubber Band is a part of the P Funk umbrella of bands. Most of Bootsy's albums in the post-Parliament and Funkadelic days were released under the name Bootsy's Rubber Band.

Related Topics:
P Funk - Parliament - Funkadelic - Bootsy's Rubber Band

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Collins has collaborated extensively with Bill Laswell and made bright appearances on two Fatboy Slim records.

Related Topics:
Bill Laswell - Fatboy Slim

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Bootsy recently provided "vocal spice" on the TobyMac album Welcome to Diversity.

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Bootsy Collins served as "Heineken's Amsterjam 2005" curator and master of ceremonies on Randall's Island, NY.

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He has also worked with Praxis.

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