Bootsy Collins defines funk as “making something out of nothing,” a philosophy he’s always lived. Growing up in Cincinnati in the 1960s, he idolized his older brother, Phelps “Catfish” Collins, who played guitar. But when forming their first band, The Pacemakers, Catfish needed a bass, so Bootsy crafted one out of an old guitar by removing the strings and replacing them with four bass strings. That something out of nothing turned into a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, two Grammy Awards, and a legendary career that has far surpassed what he ever thought was possible.
Whether as a member of James Brown’s backing band, The J.B.s., Parliament-Funkadelic or Bootsy’s Rubber Band, Bootsy has wielded his axe with the precision of a sniper. Through his otherworldly talent, bass guitars that are more like kaleidoscopic works of art, commanding stage presence, and psychedelic clothing, he’s become one of the most recognizable artists in music history and has dozens of recordings in his catalog.
Now, just days away from releasing his next album, Metal Health, he’s feeling relieved. Finally, the arduous work is behind him, and he can pivot to the next task, something he’s mastered over the last five decades. Bootsy has carved out a long career that continues to thrive—but it takes balance.
