Bootsy Collins

video|right|300px right|300px 
William Earl "Bootsy" Collins (born October 26, 1951) is an American musician and singer-songwriter.
Rising to prominence with James Brown in the early 1970s, and later with Parliament-Funkadelic, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with 15 other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.
==Career==
===1960s–1970s===
With his elder brother Phelps "Catfish" Collins, Frankie "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", "Bewildered (1970)", "Super Bad", "Soul Power", "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing", and two instrumental singles, the much-sampled "The Grunt" and "These Are the J.B.'s".
After parting ways with James Brown, Collins returned to Cincinnati and formed House Guests with his brother Phelps Collins, Rufus Allen, Clayton "Chicken" Gunnels, Frankie Waddy, Ronnie Greenaway and Robert McCullough. The House Guests released "What So Never the Dance" and another single on the House Guests label, as well as a third as The Sound of Vision on the House Guests label.
Next Collins moved to Detroit, after Philippé Wynne suggested joining The Spinners, for whom Wynne had been singing. However, following the advice of singer and future Parliament member Mallia Franklin, Collins had another choice. Franklin there introduced both Collins brothers to George Clinton, and 1972 saw both of the Collins brothers, along with Waddy, join Funkadelic. Collins played bass on most of Funkadelic and all of Parliament's albums (with the exception of Osmium) through the early 1980s, garnering several songwriting credits as well.
In 1976 Collins, 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 five 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, Collins took on several alter egos, from Casper the Funky Ghost to Bootzilla, "the world's only rhinestone rockstar monster of a doll", all 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.
===1980s–1990s===
Collins released two 1980 albums, his first "solo" album "Ultra-Wave", and Sweat Band, on George Clinton's Uncle Jam label with a group billed as Bootsy's Sweat Band. He also was credited for co-producing the debut of P-Funk spinoffs Zapp and Roger.
In 1984, he collaborated with Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads to produce "Five Minutes", a dance record sampled and edited from Ronald Reagan's infamous "We begin bombing in 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).
After a nearly five-year hiatus, he had a comeback in 1988 (with some help from producer Bill Laswell). What's Bootsy Doin'? flaunted a new sound that foreshadowed the 1990s, such as the dance floor smash "Party on Plastic". Laswell introduced Collins to Herbie Hancock, resulting in Perfect Machine. The techno-funk they recorded featured turnables for scratch appeal, and the smoothly-stylized vocals of Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner of chart-topping Ohio Players.
In 1990, Collins 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 de facto backing musicians for Deee-Lite during a world tour. The Rubber Band also recorded the EP "Jungle Bass", their first recording in 11 years.
In 1992, he 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. In the same year, Collins played bass guitar on the first Praxis album: Transmutation, alongside fellow Parliament-Funkadelic member Bernie Worrell, Bryan Mantia and Buckethead.
Bootsy's New Rubber Band formed in 1994, releasing Blasters of the Universe and also put forth the following live release "Keepin' dah Funk Alive 4-1995", recorded over two nights in Tokyo.
In 1995, Collins 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 (Funkcronomicon), and the song also appeared in the soundtrack of the movie Stealing Beauty.
Collins collaborated with Del McCoury, Doc Watson and Mac Wiseman to form the GrooveGrass Boyz. They produced a fusion of bluegrass and funk.
===2000s-present===
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. 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 half time of a Marshals home game against the West Palm Beach Phantoms.
In 2006, ABC Entertainment / A Charly Films Release released a DVD/CD from Collins and the New Rubber Band's concert at the 1998 North Sea Jazz Festival. Soon after the release, Collins split from long-time friend and guitarist Odhran "The Bodhran" Rameriz, citing creative differences as the reason.
Later that same year, Collins released the holiday album Christmas Is 4 Ever. This represents the first Christmas-themed album made by any member of the P-Funk musical collective. The album features re-workings of Christmas standards as well as original compositions.
In April 2007, Collins announced plans to begin a restaurant/club with Cincinnati area restaurateur Jeff Ruby called "Bootsy's." The venue operated 2008–2010 before closing. It featured live musical acts, a museum dedicated to Collins' musical career and Spanish, Central and South American cuisine.
In June 2007, 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 December of that year they (sans Worrell) went on to perform the first tribute concert remembering James Brown.
In July 2007, Collins also told Billboard magazine that he was 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. The album was released in November 2008.
Collins promoted Rock the Vote for its 2008 campaign together with Buckethead.
Collins portrayed a radio DJ in the 2013 video game, Grand Theft Auto V, in which several of his own songs were featured."The best part of GTA V will be the radio, again". The Globe and Mail (September 13, 2013). Retrieved 2014-04-25.
Collins has also collaborated extensively with Bill Laswell and also frequently collaborated with fellow bassist Victor Wooten.
===Bass guitars===
His original "Space Bass" and its replacement (before recovery from 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 Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band.The Creation of the Space Bass by Larry Pless
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 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.
===Bootsy Collins' Funk University===
In July 2010, Collins, in partnership with former child actor Cory Danziger, 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). Eventually, the curriculum will be expanded to include other instruments.
==Legacy==
He 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 Collins, while in The Mighty Boosh episode "The Legend of Old Gregg" an alien creature named 'The Funk' lands on Collins' 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.
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, who cited Collins as one of his primary influences, appeared in unmistakably Collins style clothing in the video for RHCP's "Dani California", and Collins' "What's a Telephone Bill?" was sampled for 2Pac's "Str8 Ballin'" track from his Thug Life: Volume 1 album.
In 2004 Collins was featured on the cover of "The Joker" on the Fatboy Slim album Palookaville. Collins served as "Heineken's Amsterjam 2005" curator and master of ceremonies on Randall's Island, New York. On January 26, 2007, Collins gave the commencement address at the graduation ceremony at The Art Institute of Ohio - Cincinnati.
==Personal life==
In March 2011, Collins and his wife visited Franklin L. Williams M.S #7's Little Kids Rock program, donated a bass guitar, gave the children a bass lesson, and rapped with them while they played the blues. He is now an honorary board member of the organization.Bootsy Collins. Little Kids Rock. Retrieved on 2014-04-25.
==Discography==
===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 	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
===Singles===
Year 	Single 	Peak chart positions 	Peak chart positions 	Peak chart positions 	Peak chart positions 	Album 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year 	Single 	U.S. R&B</small> 	UK</small> 	GER</small> 	SWI</small> 	Album 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1976 	"Stretching Out (In a Rubber Band)" 	18 	— 	— 	— 	Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band(Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1976 	"I'd Rather be with You" 	25 	— 	— 	— 	Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band(Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1977 	"Psychoticbumpschool" 	69 	— 	— 	— 	Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band(Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1977 	"The Pinocchio Theory" 	6 	— 	— 	— 	Ahh... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!(Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1977 	"Can't Stay Away" 	19 	— 	— 	— 	Ahh... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!(Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1978 	"Bootzilla" 	1 	43 	— 	— 	Bootsy? Player of the Year(Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1978 	"Hollywood Squares" 	17 	— 	— 	— 	Bootsy? Player of the Year(Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1979 	"Jam Fan (Hot)" 	13 	— 	— 	— 	This Boot is Made for Fonk-N(Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1979 	"Bootsy Get Live" 	38 	— 	— 	— 	This Boot is Made for Fonk-N(Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1979 	"Under The Influence of a Groove" 	— 	— 	— 	— 	This Boot is Made for Fonk-N(Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1980 	"Freak to Freak" 	25 	— 	— 	— 	Sweat Band(Sweat Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1980 	"Body Shop" 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Sweat Band(Sweat Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1980 	"Mug Push" 	25 	— 	— 	— 	Ultra Wave(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1981 	"F-Encounter" 	51 	— 	— 	— 	Ultra Wave(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1981 	"Is That My Song?" 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Ultra Wave(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1982 	"Take a Lickin' and Keep on Kickin'" 	29 	— 	— 	— 	The One Giveth, the Count Taketh Away(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1982 	"Shine-O-Myte (Rag Popping)" 	78 	— 	— 	— 	The One Giveth, the Count Taketh Away(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1982 	"Body Slam!" 	12 	— 	— 	— 	single only (Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1988 	"Party on Plastic (What's Bootsy Doin'?)" 	27 	— 	— 	— 	What's Bootsy Doin'?(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1988 	"1st One 2 the Egg Wins" 	— 	— 	— 	— 	What's Bootsy Doin'?(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1990 	"Jungle Bass" 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Jungle Bass (Bootsy's Rubber Band) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1994 	"Hollywood Squares" (US promo only) 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Back In The Day: The Best Of Bootsy Collins (Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1997 	"I'm Leavin U (Gotta Go, Gotta Go)" (feat. MC Lyte) 	— 	78 	59 	— 	Fresh Outta 'P' University(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1998 	"Do the Freak" 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Fresh Outta 'P' University(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1999 	"Party Lick-A-Ble's" 	— 	77 	— 	— 	Fresh Outta 'P' University(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2002 	"Play with Bootsy" (feat. Kelli Ali) 	— 	— 	57 	73 	Play with Bootsy(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2003 	"Dance to the Music" 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Play with Bootsy(Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2004 	"Dreamship Surprise" (feat. Bonita) (GER only) 	— 	— 	— 	— 	(T)Raumschiff Surprise - Periode 1: Die Songs (Various Artists)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2011 	"Don't Take My Funk" (promo only) 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Tha Funk Capital of the World (Bootsy Collins) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released. 	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.	"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.
===Soundtracks===
"I'd Rather Be with You", from the album Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band was featured in the movie Baby Boy.
Collins recorded music for the animated television series Loonatics Unleashed.
===Other contributions===
In 1994, he contributed to the Soup Dragons' last album, Hydroponic.
In 1996, Collins collaborated on George Clinton's album T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M.
In 1999, Collins co-wrote "DJ Droga" with Argentinian funk duo Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas
Collins made appearances on two Fatboy Slim records Illuminati, as well as reading a poem at the end of FatBoy Slims's release in the LateNightTales DJ mix series.
Collins 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.
In 2004 he appeared on Snoop Dogg's Rhythm & Gangsta album.
Collins was featured on the album True Love by Toots and the Maytals, which showcased many notable musicians including Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Trey Anastasio, Gwen Stefani / No Doubt, Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Manu Chao, The Roots, Ryan Adams, Keith Richards, Toots Hibbert, Paul Douglas, Jackie Jackson, Ken Boothe, and The Skatalites.“True Love - Linear CD Notes." Toots and the Maytals. tootsandthemaytals.net. Web. <http://www.tootsandthemaytals.net/linear-cd-notes/>. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
He also performed a cover of the "Power of Soul" on the 2004 tribute album Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix'.
Collins produced Junkyard Waltz by funk band Freekbass from Ohio, which was released in October 2008.
In 2009, Collins collaborated with Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek on the track "Internet Connection".
===Promotional videos===
* Party on Plastic (What's Bootsy Doin'?) (1988)
* Undacova Funk (feat. Snoop Dogg) (2002)
* Play With Bootsy (2002)
==Filmography==
In 2000, Collins appeared with Madonna, Iggy Pop, Little Richard, and The Roots' Questlove, in an American TV commercial for the Motorola ROKR phone.
Collins was featured in the 2002 film Standing in the Shadows of Motown.
Collins voiced the character Bootes Belinda in the Loonatics Unleased episode The Music Villain.
In 2009, Collins appeared in the Everybody Hates Chris episode "Everybody Hates Tasha".
Collins played an alien version of himself in the Williams Street spring break special Freaknik: The Musical on Adult Swim in March 2010.
On April 15, 2011, he appeared on Later... with Jools Holland, performing a memorable snippet of funk with Jools.
In the fall of 2011, Collins began being featured in a TV commercial for Old Navy in which he is making "boots" made by Bootsy to be sold at Old Navy.
He was also featured on an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba! on Nick, Jr..
Collins is the voice of Jimi Hendrix in the 2010 documentary, Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child, which is based on Hendrix's own words from letters, interviews and other printed materials.
==Awards and achievements==
The album True Love won the Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Reggae Album.
In October 2010, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Bass Player Magazine at the Key Club in Los Angeles.
==Tour==
In June 2011, Collins played the 10th Annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.
==References==
== External links ==
*
*Bootsy's Funk University
*[ Bootsy bio on Allmusic]
*Collins Looks To Future with Science Faction, Billboard, 2007.
*Rob Fitzpatrick, Bootsy Collins: 'The freak show never ended', The Guardian, April 14, 2011.
*Bootsy Collins RBMA lecture
Category:1951 births
Category:Living people
Category:African-American musicians
Category:American funk bass guitarists
Category:American funk drummers
Category:American male singers
Category:American rhythm and blues bass guitarists
Category:American soul musicians
Category:Musicians from Cincinnati
Category:American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters
Category:American funk singers
Category:American soul singers
Category:African-American male singers
Category:African-American singer-songwriters
Category:American singer-songwriters
Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees
Category:P-Funk members
Category:The J.B.'s members
Category:Grammy Award winners
Category:Warner Bros. Records artists
Category:Ace Records artists
Category:Columbia Records artists
Category:Guitarists from Ohio
Category:American male guitarists