Bootsy Collins is arguably one of the most important and preeminent bassists of the last 50 years. Collins first came to prominence for being a member of The Pacemakers, James Brown’s backing band after The J.B.’s. Although he only played with Brown for about 11 months, Collins recorded some of Brown’s funkiest and meanest work of catalog. In 1972, he joined Parliament Funkadelic — and the rest, as we all know is history.
Bootsy turns 70 — 70! — today. So happy birthday, Mr. Collins! May there be 170 more.
