View source for Bootsy Collins

{{Short description|American guitarist, singer, and songwriter}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Redirect|Bootsy|the American basketball player|Bootsy Thornton}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image           = William "Bootsy" Collins (cropped).jpg
| name            = Bootsy Collins
| caption         = Collins performing in 1998
| image_upright   =
| birth_name      = William Earl Collins
| birth_date      = {{Birth date and age|1951|10|26}}  
| birth_place     = [[Cincinnati]], [[Ohio]], U.S.
| genre           = {{flatlist|
*[[Funk]]
*[[psychedelic soul]]
*[[rhythm and blues|R&B]]
*[[hip hop music|hip hop]]}}
| occupation      = {{hlist|Musician|songwriter}}
| instrument      = {{flatlist|
*Bass guitar
*vocals
*drums}}
| years_active    = 1968–present
| label           = {{flatlist|
*[[Westbound Records|Westbound]]
*[[Ace Records (United Kingdom)|Ace]]
*[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
*[[Casablanca Records|Casablanca]]
*[[Shout Records|Shout]]
*[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
*[[P-Vine Records|P-Vine]]
*[[Mascot Records|Mascot]]
*[[Roc Nation]]}}
| past_member_of= {{flatlist|
*[[Parliament (band)|Parliament]]
*[[Funkadelic]]
*Bootsy's Rubber Band
*[[The GrooveGrass Boyz]]
*[[The J.B.'s]]}}
| website         = {{URL|bootsycollins.com}}
}}

'''William Earl''' "'''Bootsy'''" '''Collins''' (born October 26, 1951) is an American bass guitarist, singer, and songwriter.<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=287/8|title-link=Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref> Rising to prominence with [[James Brown]] in the early 1970s before joining the [[Parliament-Funkadelic]] collective, Collins established himself as one of the leading names and innovators in funk with his driving basslines and humorous vocals.  He later formed his own [[P-Funk]] side project known as '[[Bootsy's Rubber Band]]'.<ref>{{cite web |last=Planer |first=Lindsay |url={{AllMusic |class=album |id=r31268 |pure_url=yes}} |title=Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band – Bootsy's Rubber Band |website=AllMusic |access-date=2011-07-06}}</ref>   He was a frequent collaborator with other musicians from a variety of genres, including dance music ([[Deee-Lite]]'s "[[Groove Is in the Heart]]"), electronic [[big beat]] ([[Fatboy Slim]]'s "[[Weapon of Choice (song)|Weapon of Choice]]" and "[[The Joker (Steve Miller Band song)|The Joker]]"), and [[alternative metal]] ([[Praxis (band)|Praxis]]), among others. He is a member of the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], inducted in 1997 with 15 other members of Parliament-Funkadelic. In 2020, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine ranked Collins number 4 in its list of the 50 greatest bassists of all time.<ref name="jj-rs-july2020">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-greatest-bassists-of-all-time-1003022/|title=The 50 Greatest Bassists of All Time|author1=Jonathan Bernstein|display-authors=etal|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 1, 2020|access-date=July 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702034000/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-greatest-bassists-of-all-time-1003022/|archive-date=July 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Collins was born in [[Cincinnati]], [[Ohio]], on October 26, 1951.<ref name=About>{{cite web| title= About US| url= http://bootsycollins.com/about/| website= bootsycollins.com| publisher= Bootsy Collins| access-date= November 28, 2017| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033432/http://bootsycollins.com/about/| archive-date= December 1, 2017| df= mdy-all}}</ref> He said that his mother nicknamed him "Bootsy". "I asked her why", he explained to a journalist, "and she just said, 'Because you looked like a Bootsy.' I left it at that."<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/oct/28/bootsy-collins-lsd-was-a-big-part-of-why-i-left-james-browns-band |title=Bootsy Collins: 'LSD was a big part of why I left James Brown's band' |last=Pires |first=Candice |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=2017-10-28 |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>

His brother [[Phelps "Catfish" Collins]] (1943–2010) was also a musician.<ref name= About /> He and Bootsy were once part of [[The Pacemakers (funk band)|The Pacemakers]].

Collins has maintained a strong connection with Cincinnati.<ref name="JB death" />

==Career==
===1960s–1970s===
With his elder brother [[Phelps "Catfish" Collins]], Frankie "Kash" Waddy, and [[Philippé Wynne]], Collins formed a funk band, [[The Pacemakers (funk band)|The Pacemakers]], in 1968.<ref name= About /> 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]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=It takes a nation of millions to hold us back|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher R.|date=2010|publisher=Continuum|isbn=9780826429131|location=New York|oclc=317928336}}</ref> (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]]",  "[[Super Bad (song)|Super Bad]]", “[[Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved]]”, "[[Soul Power]]", "[[Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing]]", and two instrumental singles, the much-sampled "[[The Grunt]]" and "These Are the J.B.'s". In regards to his tenure working for [[James Brown]], Collins stated:

{{blockquote|He treated me like a son. And being out of a fatherless home, I needed that father figure and he really played up to it. I mean, Good Lord. Every night after we played a show, he called us back to give us a lecture about how horrible we sounded. [Affects James Brown voice] "Nah, not on it, son. I didn't hear the one. You didn't give me the one." He would tell me this at every show. One night, we knew we wasn't sounding really good – we were off – and he calls us back there and said, "Uh huh, now that's what I'm talkin' about. Y'all was on it tonight. Y'all hit the one." [[Catfish Collins|My brother]] and I looked at each other like, "This mother has got to be crazy." We knew in our heart and soul that we wasn't all that on that show. So then I started figuring out his game, man. By telling me that I wasn't on it, he made me practice harder. So I just absorbed what he said and used it in a positive way.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Kory |last=Grow |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/bootsy-collins-on-what-james-brown-taught-him-why-he-quit-drugs-204108/ |title=Bootsy Collins on James Brown, George Clinton and Drugs – Rolling Stone |magazine=Rollingstone.com |date=2017-10-31 |access-date=2019-02-20}}</ref>}}

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]], [[Michigan]], after Philippé Wynne suggested joining [[The Spinners (American group)|The Spinners]], for whom Wynne had been singing.  However, following the advice of singer and future [[Parliament (band)|Parliament]] member [[Mallia Franklin]], Collins made another choice. Franklin introduced both Collins brothers to [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]], and in 1972, both of the Collins brothers, along with Waddy, joined [[Funkadelic]]. Collins played bass on most of [[Funkadelic]] and Parliament albums through the early 1980s, garnering several songwriting credits as well.

In 1976 Collins, Catfish, Waddy, Joel Johnson (1953–2018), 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 No. 1 R&B single "[[Bootzilla]]".

Like Clinton, Collins took on several [[alter ego]]s, 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 spinoff [[Zapp (band)|Zapp]].

In 1984, he collaborated with [[Jerry Harrison]] of [[Talking Heads]] to produce "[[Five Minutes (Bonzo Goes to Washington song)|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]]'' (1988).  The techno-funk they recorded featured turntables for scratch appeal, and the smoothly-stylized vocals of [[Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner]] of chart-topping [[Ohio Players]]. These were the first of many collaborations between Laswell and Collins on many albums and projects, with the prolific producer using Bootsy mainly as a bassist but sometimes as a [[rhythm guitar]]ist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jazztimes.com/features/lists/before-after-bill-laswell/|title=Before & After with Bassist and Producer Bill Laswell|first=Brad|last=Farberman|website=JazzTimes.com|date=April 25, 2019|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>

In 1988, Collins appeared as a guest artist to play bass on [[Keith Richards]] and The X-Pensive Winos album [[Talk Is Cheap|''Talk is Cheap'']]. Also in 1988, Collins also has a cameo appearance in rapper [[Eazy-E]]’s music video for [[We Want Eazy]].

In 1989, Collins played bass on and produced several tracks of [[Malcolm McLaren]]'s album ''[[Waltz Darling]]'', credited to Malcolm McLaren and the Bootzilla Orchestra.

In 1990, Collins collaborated with [[Deee-Lite]] on their biggest hit "[[Groove Is in the Heart]]", and 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 (band)|Hardware]].  The trio released one album, ''[[Third Eye Open (Hardware album)|Third Eye Open]]'', before disbanding. In the same year, Collins played bass guitar on the first [[Praxis (band)|Praxis]] album (produced by Laswell): ''[[Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis)|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.
[[File:Bootsy_Collins-04.jpg|thumb|Collins performing in 1998]]

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, Collins, (the guitar of the late) Eddie Hazel, Gary Shider and Laswell. The group released only one album (''[[Funkcronomicon]]''), and the song also appeared in the soundtrack of the movie ''[[Stealing Beauty]]''. He also featured on Jon B's song "Simple Melody" from his debut album, "[[Bonafide (Jon B. album)|Bonafide]]".

Collins collaborated with [[Del McCoury]], [[Doc Watson]] and [[Mac Wiseman]] to form the [[GrooveGrass Boyz]].  They produced a fusion of [[bluegrass music|bluegrass]] and funk.

===2000s–present===
Collins provided lead vocals for the [[Fatboy Slim]] song "[[Weapon of Choice (song)|Weapon of Choice]]" from his 2000 album ''[[Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars]]''.  Collins vocals quote the book ''[[Dune (book)|Dune]]'' ("Walk without rhythm and you won't attract the worm").  The song won multiple [[MTV Video Music Award]]s and a [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video]].

In 2004 Collins contributed to Christian rap artist [[TobyMac]]'s ''[[Welcome to Diverse City]]'' album, collaborating on the "Diverse City" track, a song praised as one of the best on the album.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/welcome-to-diverse-city-mw0000398308 |title=TobyMac - Welcome to Diverse City Album Reviews, Songs & More  |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> The album won the 2005 Dove Award for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.learnreligions.com/types-of-christian-gospel-music-708423|title=The Many Types of Christian & Gospel Music|website=Learnreligion.com|access-date=May 22, 2024}}</ref>

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 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 and debuted the song in 2006<ref name="JB death">{{cite news |url=http://prince.org/msg/8/224952?pr |title=James Brown's death shines light on saving King Records |via=prince.org |date=April 15, 2007 |first=Dave |last=Hoekstra |location=Cincinnati |access-date=November 28, 2017}}</ref> at half time of the April 29 Marshals home game against the West Palm Beach Phantoms.

In 2006, [[ABC Entertainment]]/A Charly Films Release released a DVD and 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 a 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 open Bootsy's, a restaurant/club with Cincinnati area restaurateur Jeff Ruby.  The venue operated from 2008 to 2010. It featured live musical acts, a museum dedicated to Collins's musical career and Spanish, Central and South American cuisine.

In June 2007, Collins, along with [[Catfish Collins]], [[Clyde Stubblefield]], [[John "Jabo" Starks]], and [[Bernie Worrell]], participated in the recording of the soundtrack for the movie ''[[Superbad (film)|Superbad]]''.  In December of that year they (without 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 named [[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 [[Bryan Mantia|Brain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1051629/collins-looks-to-future-with-science-faction |title=Collins Looks To Future with Science Faction |work= Billboard.com |date=June 11, 2007|access-date=2011-07-06}}</ref> The album was released in November 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bootsycollins.com/news.html |title=Bootzilla Productions |website= bootsycollins.com |publisher=Bootsy Collins|access-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708083333/http://www.bootsycollins.com/news.html |archive-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Bootsy Collins and Fatboy Slim.jpg|thumb|Collins and [[Fatboy Slim]], 2008]]
Collins promoted [[Rock the Vote]] for its 2008 campaign together with Buckethead.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208080001/http://www.blog.rockthevote.com/labels/Buckethead.html  |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |url=http://www.blog.rockthevote.com/labels/Buckethead.html |website=rockthevote.com |date=September 29, 2008 |title=Rhymefest at Wilberforce and University of Cincinnati |access-date=November 28, 2017}}</ref>

Collins portrayed a radio DJ in the 2013 video game, ''[[Grand Theft Auto V]]'', in which several of his own songs were featured.<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gaming/the-best-part-of-gta-v-will-be-the-radio-again/article14307396/ "The best part of GTA V will be the radio, again"]. ''The Globe and Mail'' (September 13, 2013). Retrieved 2014-04-25.</ref>

Collins has also collaborated extensively with [[Bill Laswell]], [[Buckethead]], and also frequently collaborated with fellow bassist [[Victor Wooten]].

In 2018, Collins did a song with singer [[Kali Uchis]] called "[[After the Storm (Kali Uchis song)|After the Storm]]".

On December 14, 2018, Collins played a show with Detroit-based funk artist [[GRiZ]], and also collaborated on a new song with GRiZ.

In January 2019, Collins announced on Facebook that he would be retiring from live performances for health reasons:<ref name=Grove></ref>

{{blockquote|Time has come for Me to tell all our Funkateers that I will Not be Playing Bass in Concerts anymore. I have decided to become a Coach for up & coming Musicians. I know u r Disappointed just think for a moment how I feel. Doc said to much pressure on my Inner-Ear & Right Hand. Yeah, I had to make up my Mind, so I did. 2019 Sheriff Ping Ping Ping will continue to Funk from the Studio but Not Live playing Bass on Stage. I know u got question & I don't have answers, maybe one day u to will understand. Just remember; That This Year will be the Funkiest Year of them All. Watch for it. Bootsy baby!!!<ref name=Grove></ref>}}

He wrote that he would be releasing a new album that year, and that he would continue to work in the studio and mentor young musicians.<ref name=Grove>{{cite web |url=http://thesource.com/2019/01/04/bootsy-collins-retires-from-live-performing/ |title=Bootsy Collins Retires From Live Performing |first=Rashad |last=Grove |date=January 4, 2019 |work=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] |access-date=January 26, 2019}}</ref>

On February 25, 2021, it was announced that Collins would be making an appearance as the "special guest host" of ''[[An Evening with Silk Sonic]]'', the first studio album from [[Silk Sonic]], a collaboration between [[Bruno Mars]] and [[Anderson .Paak]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bruno-mars-anderson-paak-new-band-silk-sonic-announce-album-2889601|title=Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak form new band Silk Sonic, announce album|last=Gallagher|first=Alex|work=NME|date=February 26, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> He was the one who came up with the band's name (much like he did with [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]]), and acts as the album's narrator, "threading" the songs together.<ref name="AS">{{cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/bruno-mars-and-anderson-paak-leave-the-door-open-for-their-new-band-silk-sonic|title=Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak "Leave the Door Open" for Their New Band, Silk Sonic|last=Crone|first=Madeline|work=[[American Songwriter]]|date=March 5, 2021|access-date=March 5, 2021}}</ref>

On July 7, 2022, Collins served as emcee for the opening ceremony for the [[2022 World Games]] in [[Birmingham, Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1110827/bootsy-collins-birmingham-world-games |title=Bootsy Collins named Master of the Ceremonies for Birmingham 2022 World Games |first=Owen |last=Lloyd |date=July 27, 2021 |work=Inside the Games |access-date=July 9, 2022}}</ref>

===Basses===
Collins has owned many basses, several of which are custom made. His original Space Bass and its first replacement were 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]]''.<ref name= Pless>{{cite web| title= The Creation of the Space Bass | first= Larry | last= Pless| url= https://www.angelfire.com/music2/pfunk/feat-spacebass.html| website= [[Angelfire]]| access-date= November 28, 2017}}</ref> Collins's original Space Bass guitar was stolen, but it was later recovered at a Cincinnati [[pawn shop]] and returned to him.<ref name= Pless />

Another Collins signature instrument is a custom-built [[Star (polygon)|star]]-shaped bass guitar he also calls "the Space Bass", built for him by Manuel "Manny" Salvador of GuitarCraft in 1998, and later Collins made an agreement with Traben to make a signature Collins model bass, "the Bootzilla".<ref>[https://georgeclinton.com/family/william-bootsy-collins/ Bootsy Collins] georgeclinton.com Retrieved 27 September 2025</ref> In 2010, Bootsy Collins's new signature bass was released by [[Warwick (guitar manufacturer)|Warwick]], a customized Infinity Bass called "Bootsy Collins Black Star Signature Bass" or "Bootsy Collins Orange Star Signature Bass".<ref> [https://leguitariste.eu/produit/warwick-basse-bootsy-collinsinfinity-orange-star-signature Warwick bass Bootsy]  leguitariste.eu Retrieved 27 September 2025</ref>

===Funk University===
In July 2010, Collins, in partnership with actor [[Cory Danziger]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bootsy-collins-opens-funk-university/|title=Bootsy Collins Opens "Funk University"|website=CBS News|date=May 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=O'Neal |first=Sean |url= https://www.avclub.com/bootsy-collins-establishes-first-ever-funk-university-1798220167 |title=Bootsy Collins establishes first-ever Funk University, declares himself 'Professor Bootsy'| agency= Newswire |newspaper=The A.V. Club |date=May 24, 2010|access-date= 2011-07-06}}</ref> launched Funk University ("Funk U"), an [[Virtual university|online-only]] bass [[Music school|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's own musical history given by Collins himself, augmented by lessons and exercises in bass and rhythm from guest bassist professors such as [[Les Claypool]], [[Meshell Ndegeocello]], [[John B]] (Williams) and [[Victor Wooten]]. As of 2021, Funk University is now defunct.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

'''Funk Not Fight Movement'''

In May 2023, Bootsy Collins and wife, Pepperminte Patti Collins, kicked off the national [https://www.funknotfight.net/funk-not-fight Funk Not Fight] Movement at the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame with a key mission to calm the violence with the power of music and dance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Broerman |first=Michael |date=May 13, 2023 |title=Bootsy Collins Is A Lover Not A Fighter On New Collaborative Single, "Funk Not Fight" [Video] |url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/bootsy-collins-single-funk-not-fight/ |access-date=April 17, 2025 |website=Live For Live Music}}</ref> The movement quickly spread to communities throughout the nation with chapters, discussions, round table events and performances including Cleveland, OH, Compton, CA, Detroit, MI, Fort Wayne, IN, Columbus, OH, Cincinnati, OH, Austin, TX, East Chicago, IN, Toledo, OH, New York City, NY, and Atlanta, GA.

==Legacy==
He is 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 (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's 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.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

[[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] bassist [[Flea (musician)|Flea]], who cited Collins as one of his primary influences, appeared in unmistakably Collins-style clothing in the video for RHCP's "[[Dani California]]".<ref name=Indy>{{cite web|url=https://thevogue.com/artists/bootsy-collins/|title=Bootsy Collins : Biography|website=TheVogue.com|publisher=The Vogue in Indianapolis - National Independent Venue Association}}</ref> 

In 2004 Collins was featured on the cover of "[[The Joker (Steve Miller Band song)|The Joker]]" on the Fatboy Slim album ''[[Palookaville (Fatboy Slim album)|Palookaville]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.jivemagazine.com/review.php?rid=760 |first=Misty |last=Thomas |title=Fatboy Slim – Album: Palookaville |date=October 4, 2004 |access-date=2008-04-21 |journal=JIVE Magazine}}</ref> Collins served as [[AmsterJam|Heineken's Amsterjam 2005]] curator and master of ceremonies on [[Randall's Island]], New York.<ref name=Indy></ref> On January 26, 2007, Collins gave the commencement address at the graduation ceremony at [[The Art Institutes|The Art Institute of Ohio – Cincinnati]].<ref name=Indy />

In a 2011 episode of television's ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' hosted by [[Jesse Eisenberg]], "[[The Essentials (TV program)|The Essentials]]" segment showed the movie ''Bride of [[Blackenstein]]'' in which Dr. Blackenstein ([[Jay Pharoah]]), assisted by the hunchback Igor (Eisenberg), creates a [[Bride of Frankenstein (character)|bride]] ([[Nicki Minaj]]) for Blackenstein's Monster ([[Kenan Thompson]]). Pharoah's performance as Dr. Blackenstein is a vocal parody of Bootsy Collins (an oblique reference to the album ''[[The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein]]'' on which Collins performed).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://snltranscripts.jt.org/10/10mtcm.phtml|title=SNL Transcripts: Jesse Eisenberg: 01/29/11: TCM: The Essentials - SNL Transcripts Tonight|date=8 October 2018 }}</ref>

===Awards and achievements===
Collins appeared with [[Toots & the Maytals]] on the album ''[[True Love (Toots & the Maytals album)|True Love]]'' that won the [[Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thechocolatevoice.com/photo-musician-bootsy-collins-of-parliament-at-namm-show-in-anaheim/|title=Musician Bootsy Collins of Parliament at NAMM Show in Anaheim|website=TheChocolateVoice.com|publisher=The Chocolate Voice|access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref>

In October 2010, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ''[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]]'' magazine at the Key Club in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2010/10/05/news/bass-player-live-set-for-oct-23-24/|title=Bass Player Live! Set for Oct. 23-24|author=Wolk, Zach|website=music.mxdwn.com|date=October 5, 2010 |publisher=mxdwn Music|access-date=5 October 2010}}</ref> Collins was inducted in 2016 into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rbhalloffamemarksms.com/inductees/|title=National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Inductees (2013-2021)|website=rbhalloffamemarksms.com|date=July 24, 2022 |publisher=[[National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame]]}}</ref>

On July 22, 2023, Bootsy Collins was inducted into the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wvxu.org/music/2023-07-22/photos-cincinnati-black-music-walk-of-fame|title=Photos: Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame grand opening|author=Carreon, Zack|website=WVXU.org|date=July 22, 2023 |publisher=[[WVXU]]|access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref>

In October of 2024, Bootsy Collins and wife, Patti Collins were presented with the US Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards and Honorary Gold Medals for their philanthropic work spanning decades including, most recently, the Funk Not Fight Movement.  <ref>{{Cite web |last=Tina |first=Schaefer |date=February 4, 2025 |title=Hall-of-Fame Funk Musician Bootsy Collins and Wife Patti Drive Off with Presidential Awards in Their 02 Mustang |url=https://performance.ford.com/articles/enthusiasts/quick-look/2025/02/bootsy-collins |access-date=April 17, 2025 |website=Ford Performance}}</ref>

Collins is one of 800 artists included in photographer Michael Weintrob’s ''Instrumenthead Art Truck Experience'' portrait series, featured at Aspen Collective gallery (Colorado) in August, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aspendailynews.com/arts_and_entertainment/instrumenthead-heads-over-to-aspen-collective/article_2acac353-a691-41d6-b810-c7fa28858086.html|title=Instrumenthead heads over to Aspen Collective|author=Hanson, Geoff|website=AspenDailyNews.com|publisher=[[Aspen Daily News]]|access-date=August 12, 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In March 2011, Collins and his wife visited Franklin L. Williams M.S No. 7's [[Little Kids Rock]] program, donated a bass, 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.<ref>[http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans/bootsy-collins/ Bootsy Collins] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105054233/http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans/bootsy-collins/ |date=November 5, 2013 }}. Little Kids Rock. Retrieved on 2014-04-25.</ref> Collins is an honorary member of [[Phi Beta Sigma]] fraternity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Members |url=http://phibetasigma1914.org/index.php/honorary-members/ |website=Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. |access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref>

In an April 2011 interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'', Collins stated that, at one point in his life, he took [[LSD]] every day for over two years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/apr/14/bootsy-collins-funkadelic-funk |title=Bootsy Collins: 'The freak show never ended'|first= Rob |last=Fitzpatrick|newspaper=The Guardian|date=14 April 2011}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{main|Bootsy Collins discography}}
* ''[[Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band]]'' (1976) <small>(with Bootsy's Rubber Band)</small>
* ''[[Ahh... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!]]'' (1977) <small>(with Bootsy's Rubber Band)</small>
* ''[[Bootsy? Player of the Year]]'' (1978) <small>(with Bootsy's Rubber Band)</small>
* ''[[This Boot Is Made for Fonk-N]]'' (1979) <small>(with Bootsy's Rubber Band)</small>
* ''[[Ultra Wave]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Sweat Band]]'' (1980) <small>(with Sweat Band)</small>
* ''[[The One Giveth, the Count Taketh Away]]'' (1982)
* ''[[What's Bootsy Doin'?]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Blasters of the Universe]]'' (1993) <small>(with Bootsy's New Rubber Band)</small>
* ''[[Lord of the Harvest]]'' (1993) <small>(as Zillatron)</small>
* ''[[Fresh Outta 'P' University]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Play with Bootsy]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Christmas Is 4 Ever]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Tha Funk Capital of the World]]'' (2011)
* ''[[World Wide Funk]]'' (2017)
* ''[[The Power of the One]]'' (2020)<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |title=Bootsy Collins Talks Upcoming Album 'The Power of the One,' Lessons Learned in Quarantine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bootsy-collins-power-of-the-one-interview-video-1058663/ |date=September 16, 2020|access-date=15 September 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>
*''Album of the Year No. 1 Funkateer'' (2025)<ref name="funkateer">{{Cite magazine |magazine=City Beat |url=https://www.citybeat.com/music/cincinnati-funk-legend-bootsy-collins-to-release-new-album-17635538 |title=Cincinnati Funk Legend Bootsy Collins to Release New Album |department=Local Music |first=Katherine |last=Barrier |date=2024-06-17 |accessdate=2024-06-18 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Filmography==
In 2005, Collins appeared with [[Madonna]], [[Iggy Pop]], [[Little Richard]], and [[The Roots]]' [[Questlove]], in an American TV commercial for the [[Motorola ROKR]] phone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorola-fans.com/2017/09/2005-motorola-madonna-campaign.html|title=[2005] Motorola + Madonna Campaign}}</ref>

Collins was featured in the 2002 film ''[[Standing in the Shadows of Motown]]''.

Collins voiced the character Boötes Belinda in the ''[[Loonatics Unleashed]]'' episode "The Music Villain".<ref name="Epstein">{{cite web|title=Bootsy Collins interview|url=http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/Bootsy+Collins/|publisher=[[SuicideGirls]]|date=October 10, 2006|access-date=2007-03-03|last=Epstein|first=Daniel Robert}}</ref>

In 2009, Collins appeared in the ''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]'' episode "Everybody Hates Tasha".

Collins played an alien version of himself in the R-rated [[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 Holland|Jools]].

In the fall of 2011, Collins began being featured in a TV commercial for [[Old Navy]] in which he is making "[[boot]]s" made by Bootsy to be sold at Old Navy.

He was also featured on an episode of ''[[Yo Gabba Gabba!]]'' on the [[Nick Jr. Channel]]

Collins guest starred as himself at the end of "Mid-Season Finale", an episode of ''[[The Patrick Star Show]]'', a spin-off of Nickelodeon's ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]],'' in 2022.

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tw2db |title=Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child |publisher=[[BBC Four]] |access-date=December 25, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jimihendrix.com/news/jimi-hendrix-voodoo-child-premieres-saturday-september-18/ |title=Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Premieres Saturday September 18 |date=September 16, 2010 |publisher=Experience Hendrix |access-date=December 25, 2016 }}</ref>

==Tour==
In June 2011, Collins played the 10th Annual [[Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival]] in [[Manchester, Tennessee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/bonnaroo-2011-10-things-seen-heard-saturday-426957/|title=Bonnaroo 2011: 10 Things Seen & Heard Saturday|website=Billboard.com|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=12 June 2011}}</ref>

Collins hosted Detroit Music Weekend's Funk Festival on August 26, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitmusicweekend.org/|title=Detroit Music Weekend|access-date=26 August 2023|publisher=Detroit Music Weekend}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musichall.org/events/Detroit-Music-Weekend2|title=Detroit Music Weekend Funk Festival : Hosted by Bootsy Collins|website=MusicHall.org|publisher=Music Hall Amphitheater|access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref>

A tribute concert honoring Bootsy Collins was held August 8, 2025, at the [[Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts]] in Detroit, featuring performances by [[Zapp|Zapp Band]], Kern Brantley and D-Town Funk, One Way and Lil Asmar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musichall.org/events/THE-ZAPP-BAND-In-Concert-Honoring-Bootsy-Collins-in-person|title=THE ZAPP BAND – In Concert Honoring Bootsy Collins in person|website=MusicHall.org|access-date=August 8, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2025/08/07/funk-legend-bootsy-collins-to-be-honored-aug-8-at-music-hall-tribute/85528841007/|title=Bootsy Collins gives love to Detroit as city salutes bass pioneer at Friday funk show|author=McCollum, Brian|website=Freep.com|publisher=[[Detroit Free Press]]|access-date=August 7, 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{toomanylinks|date=June 2024}}
{{commons category|Bootsy Collins}}
*{{Official website}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160131122144/http://www.thefunkuniversity.com/ Bootsy's Funk University]
*{{AllMusic}}
*[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1051629/collins-looks-to-future-with-science-faction Collins Looks To Future with Science Faction], ''Billboard'', 2007.
*{{Discogs artist}}
*Rob Fitzpatrick, [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/apr/14/bootsy-collins-funkadelic-funk Bootsy Collins: 'The freak show never ended'], ''The Guardian'', April 14, 2011.
*{{MusicBrainz artist}}
*[http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures/bootsy-collins Bootsy Collins RBMA lecture]
* [https://cincymusic.com/bands/bootsycollins CincyMusic Profile]

{{Bootsy Collins|state=expanded}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Bootsy Collins
|list =
{{Grammy Award for Best Music Video}}
{{1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{P-Funk}}
{{Parliament}}
{{Funkadelic}}
{{The J.B.'s}}

{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:American funk bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American male bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American rhythm and blues bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American soul musicians]]
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[[Category:American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American funk singers]]
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[[Category:P-Funk members]]
[[Category:The J.B.'s members]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Warner Records artists]]
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[[Category:Guitarists from Ohio]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:Praxis (band) members]]
[[Category:Psychedelic funk musicians]]
[[Category:African-American guitarists]]
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[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Ohio]]