Funk Music Legends You Need to Know

Get funk-ed up with some of the most important legends of funk music. From James Brown to Parliament-Funkadelic, learn about the history and influence of this important genre.

James Brown

James Brown was an American musician and songwriter who helped to shaped the sound and style of funk music. He was born in Barnwell, South Carolina on May 3, 1933. Brown started his musical career as a gospel singer in the early 1950s. He then moved on to R&B and soul music. His hit songs “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” and “I Got You (I Feel Good)” helped to make him a household name. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Godfather of Soul

James Brown was an American musician who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. He is remembered as one of the most influential figures in 20th century popular music, and he was nicknamed the “Godfather of Soul.” Brown’s career spanned several decades, and his music evolved over time to include elements of gospel, R&B, and funk. He is credited with helping to create and popularize these genres of music.

Born in Georgia in 1933, Brown began his musical career as a gospel singer. He soon switched to secular music and found success with hits like “Please, Please, Please” and “I Got You (I Feel Good).” In the late 1960s, Brown’s career took off with the release of several chart-topping singles, including “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” and “Super Bad.” He continued to enjoy success throughout the 1970s and 1980s with hits like “Living in America” and “Children’s World.”

Brown’s musical legacy continues to influence artists today. His distinctive voice and dance moves have influenced generations of performers, and his music has been sampled by many hip-hop and pop artists. James Brown remains one of the most iconic figures in American popular culture.

Influences

From an early age, James Brown was influenced by the gospel music he heard in church. He later cited Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis as important figures in his development as a musician. When he was a teenager, Brown started singing in local R&B groups and quickly developed a reputation as a dynamic performer with a great deal of stage presence.

During the early 1960s, Brown began working with arranger and producer Bobby Byrd, who helped him develop his distinctive sound. With Byrd’s assistance, Brown recorded a series of hit singles for the King label, including “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” and “I Got You (I Feel Good).” These records established Brown as one of the most popular figures in soul music and helped to create a new style known as funk.

In the 1970s, Brown continued to enjoy success with hits like “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine” and “Super Bad.” He also embarked on a highly successful career as a live performer, appearing in concert with such renowned musicians as Miles Davis and The Grateful Dead. In the 1980s and 1990s, Brown continued to perform and record sporadically; he also appeared in several films, including The Blues Brothers (1980) and Girls Town (1996).

Brown passed away on December 25, 2006 at the age of 73. In the years since his death, he has been hailed as one of the most influential musicians of all time; Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #1 on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time,” while Pitchfork Media listed him #2 on its list of “The 200 Greatest Artists of the 20th Century.”

Notable Songs

“Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” – Released in 1965, this was James Brown’s first song to reach the top of the R&B charts and is often credited with helping to start the Funk music genre.
“I Got You (I Feel Good)” – One of James Brown’s most popular and well-known songs, “I Got You (I Feel Good)” was released in 1965 and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” – Released in 1970, “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” is another one of James Brown’s iconic Funk songs. The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has been covered by many artists over the years.

George Clinton

Considered the grandfather of funk, George Clinton is a music legend who has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Clinton has been a major influence on the music industry for over five decades, and his work with Parliament-Funkadelic has produced some of the most iconic funk songs of all time. If you’re a fan of funk music, then you need to know George Clinton.

Parliament-Funkadelic

George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer. His Parliament-Funkadelic collective (which primarily recorded under the names Parliament and Funkadelic) developed an influential and eclectic form of funk music during the 1970s that drew on science fiction, outlandish fashion, psychedelic culture, and surreal humor. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.

Influences

American musician George Clinton has been a leading figure in the funk music scene since the 1960s. His work with Parliament-Funkadelic helped to pioneer the style of funk and he has had a huge influence on popular music. Clinton’s musical style has been described as a mix of James Brown and Jimi Hendrix, and he is considered one of the most important figures in funk. Clinton has also worked with many other prominent musicians, including Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Beastie Boys.

Notable Songs

“Atomic Dog” is a 1982 single by George Clinton from his album Computer Games. The song peaked at number one on the R&B singles chart in early 1983, becoming Clinton’s only solo hit single.

“Flash Light” is a song by Parliament-Funkadelic from their 1977 album Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome. The song was written by George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and Bernie Worrell. It was released as a single in 1977 and became one of the most well-known songs of the P-Funk repertoire. It is also featured in the opening credits of the 1978 film National Lampoon’s Animal House.

“One Nation Under a Groove” is a 1978 funk song by Parliament-Funkadelic from their album One Nation Under a Groove. The song was written by George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and Garry Shider and released as a single in 1978. It peaked at number one on the R&B singles chart and number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In October 2009, Pitchfork Media ranked “One Nation Under a Groove” at number 102 on their list of “The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1970s”.

Bootsy Collins

Bootsy Collins is a true pioneer of funk music. He’s a bass player, singer, and songwriter who has been influential in the development of the funk genre. Bootsy has also worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Bootsy’s own group, Bootsy’s New Rubber Band. If you’re a fan of funk music, then you need to know about Bootsy Collins.

The Funkadelic

Bootsy Collins is a legendary figure in the world of funk music. He got his start with James Brown’s band in the early 1970s, before going on to co-found the influential group Parliament-Funkadelic.

Collins is known for his distinctive bass playing style, which combines elements of funk, rhythm and blues, and psychedelic rock. He has been described as one of the most influential bassists of all time, and has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including George Clinton, Miles Davis, and Funkadelic.

In recent years, Collins has continued to perform and record with Parliament-Funkadelic, and he remains an important figure in the world of funk music.

Influences

Bootsy Collins has been a major force in funk music since the 1970s. He is best known for his work with James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic, but he has also had a successful solo career. His distinctive style of bass playing has influenced many other musicians, including Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bernie Worrell of Talking Heads.

Notable Songs

Bootsy Collins is a legendary funk musician who has released a number of hits over the years. Some of his most notable songs include “I’d Rather Be with You,” “Bootzilla,” and “Stretchin’ Out in Bootsy’s Rubber Band.” He has also collaborated with a number of other artists, including George Clinton, James Brown, and Parliament-Funkadelic.