The Authorized P-Funk Song Reference, page 12
Drums: Harvey McGhee
Bass: Cordell Mosson
Guitar: Garry Shider
“Rat Kissed the Cat on the Naval”
Vocals: Garry Shider, Ben Edwards, Larry Mosson, George Clinton
Drums: Harvey McGhee
Bass: Cordell Mosson
Guitar: Garry Shider
THE COMPLETE STRANGERS: 1972–1974
This is another moniker for the House Guests/JBs/Pacesetters, featuring Bootsy and company. The group now also featured the vocal talents of Gary Mudbone Cooper, who would go on to be a major contributor in the P-Funk canon for the decades to follow. If the House Guests represent Bootsy and company between their tenure with James Brown and their tenure with Funkadelic, the Complete Strangers represent Bootsy and company between their tenure with Funkadelic on America Eats Its Young and their tenure with Parliament on Up for the Downstroke.
Philmore Sound and General American Records
“Fun in Your Thang”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins
Drums: Frank Waddy
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Trumpet: Ronnie Greenway, Chicken Gunnels
Sax: Robert McCullough
“Together in Heaven”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Bootsy Collins, Catfish Collins
Drums: Frank Waddy
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Clavinet, Piano: Sonny Talbert
THE TEMPTATIONS: 1975–1976
Although not necessarily part of the P-Funk canon, the P-Funk connection with the Motown singing group sensation is palatable. Producers Norman Whitfield and Jefferey Bowen were heavily influenced by the sounds and clothes of early Funkadelic in the late 1960s, and it informed the Temptations’ style through the mid-1970s, even to the point of employing Funkadelic founding members Billy “Bass” Nelson and Eddie Hazel some on their albums. Note: From among Norman Whitfield’s Temptations productions in the late 1960s, it has been said that musical parts of “Can’t Get Next to You” and “Psychedelic Shack” were ripped directly from Funkadelic’s early shows at the Twenty Grand in Detroit. The sections in question are easily deciphered as Funkadelic licks that were “borrowed” long before the advent of sampling.
Motown Records
A Song for You
“Happy People”
“Glasshouse”
“Shakey Ground”
“The Prophet”
“Happy People” (instrumental)
“A Song for You”
“Memories”
“I’m a Bachelor”
“Firefly”
The Temptations, with producer Jeffrey Bowen, had a huge hit with “Shakey Ground.” Part of the success of this hit song was the employing of Funkadelic bedrock players Billy “Bass” Nelson on bass and Eddie Hazel on guitar.
Horns: James Carmichael
Clavinet, Piano, Sax: Donald Baldwin
Drums: James Gadson, Ollie Brown, Zachary Frazier
Guitar: Eddie Hazel, Melvin Ragin
Bass: Billy Bass Nelson
Wings of Love
“Sweet Gypsy Lane”
“Sweetness in the Dark”
“Up the Creek (Without a Paddle)”
“China Doll”
“Mary Ann”
“Dream Word (Wings of Love)”
“Paradise”
Bass: Billy Bass Nelson, Rustee Allenn, Freddie Stewart
Keyboards: Truman Thomas
Drums, Percussion: Ollie Brown
Guitar: Billy Bass Nelson, Freddie Stewart
Trumpet: Pat Rizzo, Steve Madaio
BOBBY WOMACK (SELECT TRACKS): 1975
The iconic soul singer Bobby Womack had a few cuts that featured P-Funk’s Glenn Goins on guitar.
“Interlude #1/I Don’t Know”
Drums: Robert Robertie, Ron Selico
Electric Piano, Organ, Clavinet: Truman Thomas
Electric Violin: Jonathan Blair
Guitar: Glenn Goins
Harp: Catherine Gotthoffer
Piano: Roger Dollarhide
Steel Guitar: Sneaky Pete Kleinow
Strings: Rene Hall
Vocals, Bass, Guitar,
Strings: Bobby Womack
“Git It”
Bass: Paul Stallworth
Drums: Jim Keltner, Robert Robertie
Lead Guitar: Glenn Goins
Organ: William Smith
Vocals, Bass, Tambourine, Guitar: Bobby Womack
“What’s Your World”
Bass: Paul Stallworth
Congas: Joe Lala
Drums: Bill Lordan
Electric Piano, Piano: Leon Ware, Truman Thomas
Fuzz Guitar: Glenn Goins
Horns: Peace
Lead Vocals, Bass, Guitar: Bobby Womack
Steel Guitar: Sneaky Pete Kleinow
Violin: Jonathan Blair
Vocals: Sunday
BOOTSY’S RUBBER BAND: 1976–1979
Along with Parliament and Funkadelic, Bootsy’s Rubber Band forms the triumvi-rate of platinum-selling acts within P-Funk’s core groups. Operating chiefly during the post–Mothership Connection “heyday” era of P-Funk, Bootsy’s Rubber Band served as a vehicle for bassist Bootsy Collins to “stretch out” (pun intended or not) on his own records and tours, featuring albums and songs coproduced and cowritten by George Clinton. The hit song “Bootzilla,” which beat “Flash Light” to the top of the charts, can be considered the first #1 rhythm-and-blues hit in the P-Funk canon. The chief members of Bootsy’s Rubber Band were the Collins brothers (Bootsy and Catfish), drummer Frankie “Kash” Waddy, vocalists Gary “Mudbone” Cooper and Robert “Peanut” Johnson, keyboardist Joel “Razor Sharp” Johnson, and the Horny Horns (Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Richard “Kush” Griffith, and Rick Gardner). It is important to note, however, that much like most of P-Funk’s albums, the Rubber Band albums also are conspicuously filled with Parliament-Funkadelic mainstays like Bernie Worrell, Jerome Brailey, Garry Shider, Glenn Goins, Michael Hampton, Clinton himself, and many others. It is no doubt, however, that the star of this party is Collins himself, who created a sonic landscape of new sounds with his already famous “Space Bass.” The Bootsy persona also is continually developed here with Clinton’s help, with the inception of the character arguably since the 1975 Funkadelic song “Be My Beach.” The Rubber Band had several gold-and platinum-selling albums.
Warner Bros. Records
Stretchin’ Out in Bootsy’s Rubber Band
“Stretchin’ Out (In a Rubber Band)”
Lead Vocals, Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Backup Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson, Leslyn Bailey
Percussion: Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Guitar: Michael Hampton, Garry Shider
Synth Strings: Bernie Worrell
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker, Michael Brecker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Randy Brecker
“Stretchin Out,” as a song and as an album, introduced the world to Bootsy’s persona (beyond the first appearance of the character in Funkadelic’s “Be My Beach.” It also stands as both important and little known that this was one of Michael Hampton’s first sessions for P-Funk (if not the very first). It features an incredible mix of talent from the then new Rubber Band itself and Parliament-Funkadelic mainstays as well as both the Horny Horns and the Brecker Brothers. It would set up the style for later Bootsy work much as “More Bounce to the Ounce” later did for fellow Ohio-ans Zapp in their sound to come. In so many words, it is notable to credit “Stretchin’ Out” as a formula starter.
“Psychotic Bump School”
Lead Vocals, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Backup Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Leslyn ailey, Catfish Collins, Frank Waddy, Rick Gardner, Maceo Parker
Drums: Frank Waddy
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“Another Point of View”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Bootsy Collins, Leslyn Bailey
Drums, Percussion: Mudbone Cooper
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
Organ: Sonny Talpert
Guitar: Michael Hampton, Garry Shider
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker, Michael Brecker
Trumpet: Rick Gardner, Richard Griffith, Randy Brecker
Frankie “Kash” Waddy and William “Bootsy” Collins performing live. © Diem Jones
“I’d Rather Be with You”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins, Garry Shider
Melodica, Celeste: Bernie Worrell
“Love Vibes”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Leslyn Bailey
Drums: Mudbone Cooper
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Piano: Bernie Worrell
Organ: Sonny Talpert
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker, Michael Brecker
Trumpet: Rick Gardner, Randy Brecker
“Physical Love”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Bootsy Collins, Leslyn Bailey
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Eddie Hazel
Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
“Vanish in Our Sleep”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Electric Piano, Piano: Frederick Allen
Guitar: Garry Shider
“Vanish in Our Sleep” is one of the early “Silly Serious” love songs from the Clinton–Collins team and features some really sticky sweet playing and singing. This song would later be a part of the Brides of Funkenstein live show (interestingly, at that time, the Brides band would feature Bootsy’s Rubber Band members Richard Kush Griffith, Frankie Kash Waddy, Joel Razor Sharp Johnson, and others, so this would be apropos).
Ahh . . . The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!
“Ahh . . . the Name Is Bootsy, Baby!”
Lead Vocals: Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson, George Clinton
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Bootsy Collins, Catfish Collins
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
Synthesizers: Joel Johnson
“Ahh . . . the Name Is Bootsy, Baby!” would further the mythology of the Bootsy character. It also features some amazing Space Bass from Collins and inspired lines from the Horny Horns, including a rare Mu-tronned sax solo from Funk pioneer Maceo Parker, whose presence on the P-Funk releases in this period is extremely important. Of equal import is the magnitude of vocalists Gary Mudbone Cooper and Robert Peanut Johnson, who, aside from being the vocal backbone of the Rubber Band, also went on to be among some of the most recorded people mentioned in this book.
“The Pinocchio Theory”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Clavinet: Joel Johnson
Synthesizers, Strings: Bernie Worrell
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“The Pinocchio Theory” was a precursor to the Sir Nose concept exerted by George Clinton. It features a standout Razor Sharp keyboard line underneath Bernie’s synth wizardry and a common theme: Bootsy on drums and bass. The horn arrangements are standout.
“Rubber Duckie”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Mudbone Cooper
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker, Michael Brecker
Trumpet: Randy Brecker, Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“Preview Side Too”
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Garry Shider, Glenn Goins
Keyboards: Bernie Worrell
“What’s a Telephone Bill?”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson Organ, Keyboards, Melodica: Bernie Worrell
Flute: Maceo Parker
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins, Garry Shider
Percussion: Larry Fratangelo?
Drums: Mudbone Cooper
“Munchies for Your Love”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Bootsy Collins, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Guitar: Garry Shider, Glenn Goins
Keyboards, Synthesizer: Bernie Worrell
Bass: Bootsy Collins
“Can’t Stay Away”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson, Bootsy Collins
Drums: Mudbone Cooper
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Strings: Bernie Worrell
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Michael Brecker, Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Randy Brecker, Rick Gardner, Richard Griffith
“Can’t Stay Away” features some really strong vocal chops from Gary Mudbone Cooper (as well as Robert Peanut Johnson and Bootsy himself) and some memorable melodies. It follows the “Silly Serious” love song dynamic.
“Reprise: We Want Bootsy”
Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Maceo Parker, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Bootsy? Player of the Year
“Bootsy? (What’s the Name of This Town?”)
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Maceo Parker, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Flute: Maceo Parker
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“May the Force Be with You”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Garry Shider, Catfish Collins
Keyboards: Joel Johnson
“Very Yes”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson, Bootsy Collins
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins, Bootsy Collins
Strings: Bernie Worrell
Organ: Joel Johnson
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
Flute: Maceo Parker
“Bootzilla”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Bootsy Collins, Catfish Collins
Strings: Bernie Worrell
Piano: Joel Johnson
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“Bootzilla” is technically the first P-Funk canon song to make it to #1 on the rhythm-and-blues charts (being itself bumped off the charts by “Flash Light” by Parliament). At this time, Bootsy’s Rubber Band had become a force all its own but still within the P-Funk Universe. This hit single solidified Bootsy’s career as a star (no pun intended) from that point forward, and trends continued thereafter with a series of #1 hits on the charts from Parliament and Funkadelic alike.
“Hollywood Squares”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Frank Waddy
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Harpsichord: Bernie Worrell
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“Hollywood Squares” exhibits a fiery orchestral introduction, a funky harpsichord groove, and more signature vocal parts from the Mudbone/Peanut/Bootsy combination of character voices. It also features someone who may be the true unsung hero of the Rubber Band: Bootsy’s older brother, guitarist Phelps “Catfish” Collins.
“Roto-Rooter”
Lead Vocals: Gary Mudbone Cooper, Bootsy Collins, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Mudbone Cooper
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
Clavinet: Joel Johnson
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“As in “I Love You””
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Electric Piano: Bernie Worrell
Percussion, Drums: Bootsy Collins
Sax: Eli Fontaine
This Boot Is Made for Fonk-N
“Under the Influence of a Groove”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, George Clinton, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Percussion: Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Strings, Synth Bass: Bernie Worrell
Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
Percussion: Carl “Butch” Small
“Bootsy Get Live”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson, George Clinton, Greg Thomas, Seth Neblett
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Percussion: Carl Butch Small
Synthesizers: Joel Johnson
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
Percussion: Carl “Butch” Small
“Oh Boy Gorl”
Bass: Cordell Mosson
Guitar: Garry Shider
“Rat Kissed the Cat on the Naval”
Vocals: Garry Shider, Ben Edwards, Larry Mosson, George Clinton
Drums: Harvey McGhee
Bass: Cordell Mosson
Guitar: Garry Shider
THE COMPLETE STRANGERS: 1972–1974
This is another moniker for the House Guests/JBs/Pacesetters, featuring Bootsy and company. The group now also featured the vocal talents of Gary Mudbone Cooper, who would go on to be a major contributor in the P-Funk canon for the decades to follow. If the House Guests represent Bootsy and company between their tenure with James Brown and their tenure with Funkadelic, the Complete Strangers represent Bootsy and company between their tenure with Funkadelic on America Eats Its Young and their tenure with Parliament on Up for the Downstroke.
Philmore Sound and General American Records
“Fun in Your Thang”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins
Drums: Frank Waddy
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Trumpet: Ronnie Greenway, Chicken Gunnels
Sax: Robert McCullough
“Together in Heaven”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Bootsy Collins, Catfish Collins
Drums: Frank Waddy
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Clavinet, Piano: Sonny Talbert
THE TEMPTATIONS: 1975–1976
Although not necessarily part of the P-Funk canon, the P-Funk connection with the Motown singing group sensation is palatable. Producers Norman Whitfield and Jefferey Bowen were heavily influenced by the sounds and clothes of early Funkadelic in the late 1960s, and it informed the Temptations’ style through the mid-1970s, even to the point of employing Funkadelic founding members Billy “Bass” Nelson and Eddie Hazel some on their albums. Note: From among Norman Whitfield’s Temptations productions in the late 1960s, it has been said that musical parts of “Can’t Get Next to You” and “Psychedelic Shack” were ripped directly from Funkadelic’s early shows at the Twenty Grand in Detroit. The sections in question are easily deciphered as Funkadelic licks that were “borrowed” long before the advent of sampling.
Motown Records
A Song for You
“Happy People”
“Glasshouse”
“Shakey Ground”
“The Prophet”
“Happy People” (instrumental)
“A Song for You”
“Memories”
“I’m a Bachelor”
“Firefly”
The Temptations, with producer Jeffrey Bowen, had a huge hit with “Shakey Ground.” Part of the success of this hit song was the employing of Funkadelic bedrock players Billy “Bass” Nelson on bass and Eddie Hazel on guitar.
Horns: James Carmichael
Clavinet, Piano, Sax: Donald Baldwin
Drums: James Gadson, Ollie Brown, Zachary Frazier
Guitar: Eddie Hazel, Melvin Ragin
Bass: Billy Bass Nelson
Wings of Love
“Sweet Gypsy Lane”
“Sweetness in the Dark”
“Up the Creek (Without a Paddle)”
“China Doll”
“Mary Ann”
“Dream Word (Wings of Love)”
“Paradise”
Bass: Billy Bass Nelson, Rustee Allenn, Freddie Stewart
Keyboards: Truman Thomas
Drums, Percussion: Ollie Brown
Guitar: Billy Bass Nelson, Freddie Stewart
Trumpet: Pat Rizzo, Steve Madaio
BOBBY WOMACK (SELECT TRACKS): 1975
The iconic soul singer Bobby Womack had a few cuts that featured P-Funk’s Glenn Goins on guitar.
“Interlude #1/I Don’t Know”
Drums: Robert Robertie, Ron Selico
Electric Piano, Organ, Clavinet: Truman Thomas
Electric Violin: Jonathan Blair
Guitar: Glenn Goins
Harp: Catherine Gotthoffer
Piano: Roger Dollarhide
Steel Guitar: Sneaky Pete Kleinow
Strings: Rene Hall
Vocals, Bass, Guitar,
Strings: Bobby Womack
“Git It”
Bass: Paul Stallworth
Drums: Jim Keltner, Robert Robertie
Lead Guitar: Glenn Goins
Organ: William Smith
Vocals, Bass, Tambourine, Guitar: Bobby Womack
“What’s Your World”
Bass: Paul Stallworth
Congas: Joe Lala
Drums: Bill Lordan
Electric Piano, Piano: Leon Ware, Truman Thomas
Fuzz Guitar: Glenn Goins
Horns: Peace
Lead Vocals, Bass, Guitar: Bobby Womack
Steel Guitar: Sneaky Pete Kleinow
Violin: Jonathan Blair
Vocals: Sunday
BOOTSY’S RUBBER BAND: 1976–1979
Along with Parliament and Funkadelic, Bootsy’s Rubber Band forms the triumvi-rate of platinum-selling acts within P-Funk’s core groups. Operating chiefly during the post–Mothership Connection “heyday” era of P-Funk, Bootsy’s Rubber Band served as a vehicle for bassist Bootsy Collins to “stretch out” (pun intended or not) on his own records and tours, featuring albums and songs coproduced and cowritten by George Clinton. The hit song “Bootzilla,” which beat “Flash Light” to the top of the charts, can be considered the first #1 rhythm-and-blues hit in the P-Funk canon. The chief members of Bootsy’s Rubber Band were the Collins brothers (Bootsy and Catfish), drummer Frankie “Kash” Waddy, vocalists Gary “Mudbone” Cooper and Robert “Peanut” Johnson, keyboardist Joel “Razor Sharp” Johnson, and the Horny Horns (Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Richard “Kush” Griffith, and Rick Gardner). It is important to note, however, that much like most of P-Funk’s albums, the Rubber Band albums also are conspicuously filled with Parliament-Funkadelic mainstays like Bernie Worrell, Jerome Brailey, Garry Shider, Glenn Goins, Michael Hampton, Clinton himself, and many others. It is no doubt, however, that the star of this party is Collins himself, who created a sonic landscape of new sounds with his already famous “Space Bass.” The Bootsy persona also is continually developed here with Clinton’s help, with the inception of the character arguably since the 1975 Funkadelic song “Be My Beach.” The Rubber Band had several gold-and platinum-selling albums.
Warner Bros. Records
Stretchin’ Out in Bootsy’s Rubber Band
“Stretchin’ Out (In a Rubber Band)”
Lead Vocals, Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Backup Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson, Leslyn Bailey
Percussion: Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Guitar: Michael Hampton, Garry Shider
Synth Strings: Bernie Worrell
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker, Michael Brecker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Randy Brecker
“Stretchin Out,” as a song and as an album, introduced the world to Bootsy’s persona (beyond the first appearance of the character in Funkadelic’s “Be My Beach.” It also stands as both important and little known that this was one of Michael Hampton’s first sessions for P-Funk (if not the very first). It features an incredible mix of talent from the then new Rubber Band itself and Parliament-Funkadelic mainstays as well as both the Horny Horns and the Brecker Brothers. It would set up the style for later Bootsy work much as “More Bounce to the Ounce” later did for fellow Ohio-ans Zapp in their sound to come. In so many words, it is notable to credit “Stretchin’ Out” as a formula starter.
“Psychotic Bump School”
Lead Vocals, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Backup Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Leslyn ailey, Catfish Collins, Frank Waddy, Rick Gardner, Maceo Parker
Drums: Frank Waddy
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“Another Point of View”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Bootsy Collins, Leslyn Bailey
Drums, Percussion: Mudbone Cooper
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
Organ: Sonny Talpert
Guitar: Michael Hampton, Garry Shider
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker, Michael Brecker
Trumpet: Rick Gardner, Richard Griffith, Randy Brecker
Frankie “Kash” Waddy and William “Bootsy” Collins performing live. © Diem Jones
“I’d Rather Be with You”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins, Garry Shider
Melodica, Celeste: Bernie Worrell
“Love Vibes”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Leslyn Bailey
Drums: Mudbone Cooper
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Piano: Bernie Worrell
Organ: Sonny Talpert
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker, Michael Brecker
Trumpet: Rick Gardner, Randy Brecker
“Physical Love”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Bootsy Collins, Leslyn Bailey
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Eddie Hazel
Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
“Vanish in Our Sleep”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Electric Piano, Piano: Frederick Allen
Guitar: Garry Shider
“Vanish in Our Sleep” is one of the early “Silly Serious” love songs from the Clinton–Collins team and features some really sticky sweet playing and singing. This song would later be a part of the Brides of Funkenstein live show (interestingly, at that time, the Brides band would feature Bootsy’s Rubber Band members Richard Kush Griffith, Frankie Kash Waddy, Joel Razor Sharp Johnson, and others, so this would be apropos).
Ahh . . . The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!
“Ahh . . . the Name Is Bootsy, Baby!”
Lead Vocals: Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson, George Clinton
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Bootsy Collins, Catfish Collins
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
Synthesizers: Joel Johnson
“Ahh . . . the Name Is Bootsy, Baby!” would further the mythology of the Bootsy character. It also features some amazing Space Bass from Collins and inspired lines from the Horny Horns, including a rare Mu-tronned sax solo from Funk pioneer Maceo Parker, whose presence on the P-Funk releases in this period is extremely important. Of equal import is the magnitude of vocalists Gary Mudbone Cooper and Robert Peanut Johnson, who, aside from being the vocal backbone of the Rubber Band, also went on to be among some of the most recorded people mentioned in this book.
“The Pinocchio Theory”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Clavinet: Joel Johnson
Synthesizers, Strings: Bernie Worrell
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“The Pinocchio Theory” was a precursor to the Sir Nose concept exerted by George Clinton. It features a standout Razor Sharp keyboard line underneath Bernie’s synth wizardry and a common theme: Bootsy on drums and bass. The horn arrangements are standout.
“Rubber Duckie”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Mudbone Cooper
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker, Michael Brecker
Trumpet: Randy Brecker, Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“Preview Side Too”
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Garry Shider, Glenn Goins
Keyboards: Bernie Worrell
“What’s a Telephone Bill?”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson Organ, Keyboards, Melodica: Bernie Worrell
Flute: Maceo Parker
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins, Garry Shider
Percussion: Larry Fratangelo?
Drums: Mudbone Cooper
“Munchies for Your Love”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Bootsy Collins, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Guitar: Garry Shider, Glenn Goins
Keyboards, Synthesizer: Bernie Worrell
Bass: Bootsy Collins
“Can’t Stay Away”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson, Bootsy Collins
Drums: Mudbone Cooper
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Strings: Bernie Worrell
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Michael Brecker, Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Randy Brecker, Rick Gardner, Richard Griffith
“Can’t Stay Away” features some really strong vocal chops from Gary Mudbone Cooper (as well as Robert Peanut Johnson and Bootsy himself) and some memorable melodies. It follows the “Silly Serious” love song dynamic.
“Reprise: We Want Bootsy”
Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Maceo Parker, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Bootsy? Player of the Year
“Bootsy? (What’s the Name of This Town?”)
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Maceo Parker, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Flute: Maceo Parker
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“May the Force Be with You”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Garry Shider, Catfish Collins
Keyboards: Joel Johnson
“Very Yes”
Lead Vocals: Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson, Bootsy Collins
Drums: Cordell Mosson
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins, Bootsy Collins
Strings: Bernie Worrell
Organ: Joel Johnson
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
Flute: Maceo Parker
“Bootzilla”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Bootsy Collins, Catfish Collins
Strings: Bernie Worrell
Piano: Joel Johnson
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“Bootzilla” is technically the first P-Funk canon song to make it to #1 on the rhythm-and-blues charts (being itself bumped off the charts by “Flash Light” by Parliament). At this time, Bootsy’s Rubber Band had become a force all its own but still within the P-Funk Universe. This hit single solidified Bootsy’s career as a star (no pun intended) from that point forward, and trends continued thereafter with a series of #1 hits on the charts from Parliament and Funkadelic alike.
“Hollywood Squares”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Frank Waddy
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Harpsichord: Bernie Worrell
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“Hollywood Squares” exhibits a fiery orchestral introduction, a funky harpsichord groove, and more signature vocal parts from the Mudbone/Peanut/Bootsy combination of character voices. It also features someone who may be the true unsung hero of the Rubber Band: Bootsy’s older brother, guitarist Phelps “Catfish” Collins.
“Roto-Rooter”
Lead Vocals: Gary Mudbone Cooper, Bootsy Collins, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums: Mudbone Cooper
Bass: Bootsy Collins
Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
Clavinet: Joel Johnson
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
“As in “I Love You””
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Electric Piano: Bernie Worrell
Percussion, Drums: Bootsy Collins
Sax: Eli Fontaine
This Boot Is Made for Fonk-N
“Under the Influence of a Groove”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, George Clinton, Robert Peanut Johnson
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Percussion: Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson
Strings, Synth Bass: Bernie Worrell
Synthesizers: Bernie Worrell
Guitar: Catfish Collins
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
Percussion: Carl “Butch” Small
“Bootsy Get Live”
Lead Vocals: Bootsy Collins, Mudbone Cooper, Robert Peanut Johnson, George Clinton, Greg Thomas, Seth Neblett
Drums, Bass: Bootsy Collins
Percussion: Carl Butch Small
Synthesizers: Joel Johnson
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Sax: Maceo Parker
Trumpet: Richard Griffith, Rick Gardner
Percussion: Carl “Butch” Small
“Oh Boy Gorl”
