Bootsy Collins

Bootsy (born William Collins, October 26, 1951, Cincinnati) is a funk/R&B bassist/singer/bandleader. He formed his first group, the Pacesetters, in 1968, featuring Phelps "catfish" Collins (his brother; guitar), Frankie "kash" Waddy (drums), and Philippe Wynne. From 1969 to 1971, the group functioned as James Brown's backup band and was dubbed The J.b.'s. In 1972, Bootsy joined George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic. He launched Bootsy's Rubber Band as a spinoff of P-Funk in 1976, the band including his brother Phelps, Waddy, Joel "razor Sharp" Johnson (keyboards), Gary "mudbone" Cooper (drums), and Robert "p-nut" Johnson (vocals), along with "The Horny Horns." (He was sometimes billed alone as Bootsy, and sometimes as William "bootsy" Collins.)