Bootsy Collins facts for kids
William Earl "Bootsy" Collins (born October 26, 1951) is an American bass guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He became famous in the early 1970s playing with James Brown. Later, he joined the amazing group Parliament-Funkadelic. Bootsy is known as one of the most important and creative musicians in funk music. He has a unique style with his strong basslines and funny singing.
He also started his own band called 'Bootsy's Rubber Band'. Bootsy has worked with many other musicians in different music styles, like Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart" and Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice". He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, joining in 1997 with other members of Parliament-Funkadelic. In 2020, Rolling Stone magazine said Bootsy Collins was the 4th greatest bassist of all time!
Quick facts for kids
Bootsy Collins
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Collins performing in 1998
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Earl Collins |
| Born | October 26, 1951 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1968–present |
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Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Collins was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 26, 1951. His older brother, Phelps "Catfish" Collins, was also a musician. Bootsy and Catfish played together in a band called The Pacemakers. Bootsy has always kept a strong connection to his hometown of Cincinnati.
Music Career Highlights
Starting Out in the 1960s and 1970s
In 1968, Bootsy formed The Pacemakers with his brother Catfish, Frankie "Kash" Waddy, and Philippé Wynne. In 1970, most of James Brown's band left. So, The Pacemakers were hired to be Brown's new band, becoming known as The J.B.'s.
Even though they only worked with James Brown for 11 months, the original J.B.'s played on some of his most famous funk songs. These included "Super Bad" and "Soul Power". Bootsy learned a lot from James Brown. He said Brown pushed him to practice harder and become a better musician.
After leaving James Brown, Collins went back to Cincinnati. He formed a band called House Guests. Later, in 1972, Bootsy and Catfish joined George Clinton's groups, Funkadelic and Parliament. Bootsy played bass on many of their albums. He also helped write some of their songs.
In 1976, Bootsy, Catfish, and other musicians formed Bootsy's Rubber Band. This group toured separately from Clinton's P-Funk collective. They recorded five albums. Their 1978 album, Bootsy? Player of the Year, was a huge hit. It reached the top of the R&B album charts and had the #1 R&B song "Bootzilla". Bootsy also created fun characters for himself, like Bootzilla, "the world's only rhinestone rockstar monster of a doll." He also started using his famous "space bass" around this time.
Music in the 1980s and 1990s
In 1980, Bootsy released his first "solo" album, Ultra Wave. He also worked with a group called Bootsy's Sweat Band. He helped produce the first album for the P-Funk spin-off band Zapp.
After a break, Bootsy made a comeback in 1988 with the album What's Bootsy Doin'?. This album had a new sound that hinted at the music of the 1990s. He also worked with Herbie Hancock on the album Perfect Machine.
In 1990, Bootsy worked with Deee-Lite on their biggest hit, "Groove Is in the Heart". He sang extra vocals on the song. He also appeared in the music video playing the bass. Bootsy's Rubber Band even became the backing band for Deee-Lite on a world tour.
In 1992, Bootsy formed a funk-metal band called Hardware with guitarist Stevie Salas and drummer Buddy Miles. They released one album. That same year, Collins played bass on the first Praxis album, Transmutation.
Bootsy's New Rubber Band formed in 1994. They released Blasters of the Universe and a live album called "Keepin' dah Funk Alive 4-1995", recorded in Tokyo.
In 1995, Collins played in a new version of Jimi Hendrix's "If 6 Was 9". He also worked with Del McCoury, Doc Watson, and Mac Wiseman to create GrooveGrass Boyz. This group mixed bluegrass and funk music.
From 2000s to Today
In 2000, Bootsy sang lead vocals on the Fatboy Slim song "Weapon of Choice". This song won several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Music Video. In 2004, Collins worked with Christian rap artist TobyMac on his album Welcome to Diverse City.
In 2005, Bootsy helped write a song called "Fear Da Tiger" to celebrate his hometown team, the Cincinnati Bengals football team. He also sang "Marshal Law," the theme song for the Cincinnati Marshals indoor football team.
In 2006, Collins released a holiday album called Christmas Is 4 Ever. It was the first Christmas album made by a member of the P-Funk group. In 2007, Bootsy announced plans to open a restaurant and club called Bootsy's in Cincinnati. It was open from 2008 to 2010.
In 2007, Bootsy and other musicians recorded the soundtrack for the movie Superbad. He also worked on a project called Science Faxtion and an album called Living on Another Frequency.
Collins was a radio DJ in the 2013 video game, Grand Theft Auto V. Some of his own songs were in the game. In 2018, he worked with singer Kali Uchis on the song "After the Storm". He also played a show and made a new song with funk artist GRiZ.
In January 2019, Bootsy Collins announced that he would stop playing bass in live concerts because of health reasons. He said he would become a coach for new musicians. He still plans to make new music in the studio and help young artists.
On February 25, 2021, it was announced that Collins would be the "special guest host" for An Evening with Silk Sonic. This was the first album from Silk Sonic, a group with Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. Bootsy even came up with the band's name! He acts as the narrator for the album, connecting the songs together. In July 2022, Collins was the emcee for the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
Bootsy's Bass Guitars
Bootsy Collins has owned many bass guitars, and some of them were custom made just for him. His first "Space Bass" was stolen but later found and returned. Another famous bass is a custom-built star-shaped guitar, which he also calls the Space Bass. It was made for him in 1998. Bootsy has also worked with guitar companies like Traben and Warwick to create his own signature bass models.
Funk University
In July 2010, Bootsy Collins started Funk University, also known as "Funk U." This was an online school for bass guitar. Bootsy was the main teacher and helped create the lessons. Funk University offered lessons for bass players who wanted to learn more about funk music. The lessons covered bass theory, the history of funk, and Bootsy's own musical journey. Other famous bass players like Les Claypool and Victor Wooten also taught lessons. Funk University is no longer active as of 2021.
Bootsy's Impact and Legacy
Bootsy Collins has had a big influence on popular culture. He is mentioned in songs like "Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club and "Rumble in the Jungle" by the Fugees.
He has also been referenced in TV shows. In The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a character pretends to be Bootsy. In The Mighty Boosh, an alien creature gives Bootsy his amazing bass playing skills.
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea has said that Bootsy Collins was one of his biggest inspirations. Flea even dressed like Bootsy in the music video for "Dani California".
Awards and Achievements
In 2005, Bootsy Collins appeared on the album True Love by Toots & the Maytals. This album won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. In October 2010, Bass Player magazine gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award. Bootsy was also added to the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2016. On July 22, 2023, Bootsy Collins was honored by being inducted into the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
Personal Life
In March 2011, Bootsy and his wife visited a Little Kids Rock program. They gave a bass guitar to the children and taught them a bass lesson. Bootsy is now an honorary board member of this organization, which helps bring music education to kids.
Bootsy's Albums
- Ultra Wave (1980)
- The One Giveth, the Count Taketh Away (1982)
- What's Bootsy Doin'? (1988)
- Fresh Outta 'P' University (1997)
- Play with Bootsy (2002)
- Christmas Is 4 Ever (2006)
- The Official BootLeggedBootsyCD (2009)
- Tha Funk Capital of the World (2011)
- World Wide Funk (2017)
- The Power of the One (2020)
- Album of the Year #1 Funkateer (2024)
Bootsy on TV and Movies
In 2005, Collins appeared in a TV commercial for the Motorola ROKR phone with Madonna and Iggy Pop. He was also in the 2002 film Standing in the Shadows of Motown.
Bootsy voiced a character named Boötes Belinda in the Loonatics Unleashed cartoon episode "The Music Villain". In 2009, he appeared in an episode of Everybody Hates Chris. He also played an alien version of himself in the Freaknik: The Musical special on Adult Swim in 2010.
In 2011, he was featured in a TV commercial for Old Navy. He also appeared on an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba! on the Nick Jr. Channel. In 2022, Collins was a guest star as himself on The Patrick Star Show, a spin-off of SpongeBob SquarePants. Bootsy was also the voice of Jimi Hendrix in the 2010 documentary, Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child.
Touring and Performances
In June 2011, Bootsy Collins played at the 10th Annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. Collins also hosted the Detroit Music Weekend's Funk Festival on August 26, 2023.
Images for kids
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Collins performing in 1998
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Collins performing in 1998
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Collins and Fatboy Slim, 2008
See also
In Spanish: Bootsy Collins para niños
