5 Legendary Bassists Who Shaped—and Left—James Brown’s Funk Revolution
James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, built his legendary career on electrifying performances, relentless work ethic, and, most importantly, an unmistakable groove. But behind every iconic hit was a bassist holding down the foundation—shaping the sound, pushing funk forward, and ultimately redefining music history. Among these were the legendary bassists whose contributions were essential to his success. The legendary bassists created the unique sound that defined an era.
While Brown was the face of funk, his legendary bassists were the pulse that drove it. Many legendary bassists came and went, each leaving a distinct mark on Brown’s evolving sound. But if Brown’s band was the pinnacle of funk, why did so many legendary bassists leave? Today, we dive into the unsung heroes of funk—the legendary bass masters who defined Brown’s sound and the reasons they walked away.
Table of Contents
Bernard Odum: The Steady Architect (1956–1969)
The story begins with Bernard Odum, whose rock-solid playing became the backbone of Brown’s earliest hits. His precise and unwavering groove on Please, Please, Please and I Got You (I Feel Good) laid the groundwork for what would become funk’s rhythmic foundation.
Odum’s bass didn’t demand attention, but it was felt. His methodical, supportive playing allowed Brown’s dynamic vocals and horn sections to shine while maintaining a deep pocket. His work on Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag introduced tighter, syncopated rhythms—hinting at the funk explosion to come.
However, Odum eventually left in 1969, largely due to dissatisfaction with pay. Despite playing on some of Brown’s biggest hits, he felt undercompensated for his contributions. Brown’s notorious fine system and relentless touring schedule—sometimes exceeding 300 performances a year—only added to the strain.
Sweet Charles Sherrell: The Funk Evolution (1968)
In 1968, “Sweet” Charles Sherrell joined Brown’s band, bringing a more fluid, melodic approach to the bass. His work on Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud and Mother Popcorn infused a newfound looseness into Brown’s tightly controlled arrangements.
Sherrell introduced playful syncopation, a style that made bass a conversational element rather than just a rhythmic foundation. This subtle shift helped funk step out of its structured roots and into a more dynamic, expressive form.
While Sherrell wasn’t publicly vocal about why he left, Brown’s demand for precise execution likely made the gig creatively limiting. His departure followed the pattern of musicians seeking more flexibility outside of Brown’s strict framework.
This evolution in sound emphasizes the contributions of legendary bassists who were essential to funk’s development.
Bootsy Collins: The Funk Iconoclast (1970)
Few bassists have altered the trajectory of music quite like Bootsy Collins. In 1970, Brown enlisted the 19-year-old prodigy, and within months, Collins was rewriting funk’s rulebook.
Bootsy’s playing was aggressive, unpredictable, and packed with attitude. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine and Soul Power showcased his hyper-syncopated, percussive bass work—making the bass an equal partner in the groove, rather than just a supporting instrument.
However, Bootsy’s wild creativity clashed with Brown’s perfectionist approach. The breaking point allegedly came when a psychedelically inspired Bootsy started improvising freely during a performance—something Brown didn’t tolerate.
Beyond musical constraints, Bootsy also felt underpaid relative to Brown’s commercial success. Realizing his talent was worth more, he left, joining Parliament-Funkadelic, where his creativity was unleashed. His departure exemplified the dilemma many bassists faced—stay in the tightly disciplined Brown organization or pursue artistic freedom elsewhere.
Many of these legendary bassists left Brown’s band not just for creative freedom but also to explore their unique styles, showcasing the diversity found among legendary bassists.
Fred Thomas, one of the legendary bassists, played a crucial role in keeping the band’s sound cohesive while allowing for innovation among the legendary bassists of his time.
Fred Thomas: The Groove Keeper (1971–2000s)
Bootsy may have brought funk’s rebellion, but Fred Thomas ensured Brown’s band stayed tight and focused. Thomas played bass for Brown from 1971 through the 2000s, delivering some of the funkiest basslines in history.
Each of these legendary bassists brought unique influences that shaped the funk genre, proving their importance in music history.
His work on Hot Pants, Make It Funky, and Papa Don’t Take No Mess became essential pieces of the funk puzzle. His approach was all about precision—the groove was hypnotic, locked in, and deeply infectious.
Unlike others who left Brown due to creative clashes, Thomas remained dedicated to the band for decades, preserving Brown’s signature style while adapting it for new eras. However, even Thomas acknowledged Brown’s strict leadership, where mistakes meant fines and touring was relentless.
Tim Drummond: The Session Powerhouse (Late 1960s)
Brown’s bassist lineup wasn’t limited to full-time band members. Tim Drummond played on key tracks like Licking Stick, bringing a bluesier, laid-back feel to Brown’s music.
Drummond was already an established session player, later working with Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, and B.B. King. His basslines can be heard on iconic albums like Neil Young’s Harvest and Bob Dylan’s Slow Train Coming. Drummond’s ability to seamlessly adapt to different styles—from funk to rock to blues—made him a go-to bassist for legendary artists. His departure from Brown’s band wasn’t driven by creative frustration but rather by the opportunity to work with a diverse range of musicians in a more flexible setting.
The Four Big Reasons Bassists Left James Brown
Examining decades of departures, we find four recurring themes:
1. Creative Constraints
Brown dictated every note played, often resisting his musicians’ attempts to evolve or experiment. Jazz-trained players like Fred Thomas wanted more harmonic complexity, while innovators like Bootsy Collins felt suffocated by Brown’s rigid discipline.
2. Financial Disputes
Brown’s fine system made playing in his band an unstable financial venture. Musicians were penalized for mistakes, tardiness, or even minor infractions like wearing the wrong outfit or scuffed shoes. Many bassists, including Bernard Odum and Bootsy Collins, left due to dissatisfaction with pay.
Brown also maintained tight control over songwriting credits, meaning his musicians rarely received royalties for their contributions. Even if a bassist played a defining groove on a hit song, they wouldn’t necessarily see long-term financial benefits from its success.
Additionally, Brown’s musicians were often contractually bound to his band, limiting their ability to take on outside gigs or session work. This lack of flexibility led many to seek better-paying opportunities elsewhere.
3. Grueling Work Schedule
Brown’s relentless touring schedule and demanding rehearsals made long-term commitment difficult. Musicians performed multiple shows a day, traveling between cities overnight. This schedule led to Tim Drummond leaving for session work, while Odum stepped away due to exhaustion.
4. Career Advancement: The Next Chapter for Brown’s Bassists
Brown’s band was prestigious, but often a stepping stone. Many bassists left to pursue greater musical opportunities, using their experience with Brown as a launchpad into new musical landscapes.
Bootsy Collins: The Funk Icon
After leaving Brown’s band in 1970, Bootsy Collins joined Parliament-Funkadelic, where he became one of the most influential bassists in funk history. Under the leadership of George Clinton, Collins helped shape the P-Funk sound, bringing his signature deep grooves, syncopated rhythms, and playful energy to classics like Flash Light and Mothership Connection. His work with Bootsy’s Rubber Band further cemented his status as a funk pioneer, blending psychedelic elements with hard-hitting basslines. Collins’ departure from Brown’s strict musical structure allowed him to fully embrace his creative instincts, leading to a career that spanned collaborations with artists like Fatboy Slim, Snoop Dogg, and Deee-Lite.
These legendary bassists left lasting imprints on the music scene, demonstrating how integral they were to the evolution of funk and beyond.
Tim Drummond: The Session Powerhouse
Brown’s legendary bassists not only supported the rhythm but also became the driving force behind the genre’s evolution into the greater music landscape.
The legacy of these legendary bassists is seen in their ability to inspire across multiple genres, reinforcing their pivotal role in shaping music.
Unlike Collins and Jones, Tim Drummond didn’t join another major band but instead became one of the most respected session bassists in the industry. After playing with Brown in the late 1960s, Drummond moved into session work, recording with Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, and B.B. King. His basslines can be heard on iconic albums like Neil Young’s Harvest and Bob Dylan’s Slow Train Coming. Drummond’s ability to seamlessly adapt to different styles—from funk to rock to blues—made him a go-to bassist for legendary artists. His departure from Brown’s band wasn’t driven by creative frustration but rather by the opportunity to work with a diverse range of musicians in a more flexible setting.
Among the legendary bassists, Bernard Odum’s steady foundation and Bootsy Collins’ bold innovations stand as testaments to their influence.
Each of these bassists took what they learned under Brown’s demanding leadership and applied it to new musical ventures, proving that funk’s foundation could thrive in jazz, rock, and beyond. Their departures weren’t just exits—they were evolutions, shaping the future of music in ways Brown himself might never have imagined.
The Legacy: How Brown’s Bassists Shaped Music
Despite the challenges, playing in Brown’s band was an invaluable experience. His musicians left with unmatched discipline, groove mastery, and performance skills that shaped their careers. Many of them went on to influence funk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop, proving that Brown’s demanding environment was both a blessing and a curse.
Brown’s approach to music was revolutionary—he transformed rhythm into the driving force of a song, shifting away from traditional melody-based structures. His bassists were at the heart of this transformation, developing techniques that would become fundamental to funk and beyond.
Influence on Funk
In summary, the impact of legendary bassists extends far beyond James Brown, influencing the very fabric of funk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop.
Brown’s bassists helped define funk’s signature sound—tight, syncopated grooves that emphasized rhythm over melody. Bernard Odum laid the groundwork with his steady, locked-in playing, while Bootsy Collins took funk bass to new heights with his fluid, percussive approach. Their work directly influenced later funk legends like Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone) and Louis Johnson (The Brothers Johnson), who expanded on Brown’s rhythmic innovations.
Influence on Jazz
Brown’s bassists also had a significant impact on jazz, particularly in the fusion era. Darryl Jones, after leaving Brown’s band, joined Miles Davis, bringing funk-inspired bass techniques into jazz improvisation. His ability to blend groove with harmonic complexity helped shape the sound of modern jazz bass. Additionally, Brown’s emphasis on rhythmic interplay influenced jazz musicians like Jaco Pastorius, who incorporated funk elements into his groundbreaking bass work.
Influence on Rock
Brown’s bassists didn’t just shape funk and jazz—they also left their mark on rock music. Tim Drummond, after playing with Brown, became a sought-after session bassist, working with Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Eric Clapton. His ability to maintain a deep groove while adapting to different styles made him a key figure in rock’s evolution. Brown’s rhythmic innovations also influenced rock bands like Led Zeppelin, whose bassist John Paul Jones incorporated funk-inspired grooves into classic rock anthems.
Influence on Hip-Hop
Perhaps the most enduring legacy of Brown’s bassists is their influence on hip-hop. Brown’s music is among the most sampled in hip-hop history, with tracks like Funky Drummer and The Payback serving as the backbone for countless rap songs. The bass grooves created by Brown’s musicians became essential elements in hip-hop production, shaping the genre’s rhythmic foundation. Artists like Dr. Dre, Nas, and Public Enemy built their sound on Brown’s funk-driven basslines, proving that his band’s influence extended far beyond their original recordings.
From Bernard Odum’s steady foundation to Bootsy Collins’ rebellious innovation, these bassists didn’t just support James Brown—they built funk itself. Their contributions shaped multiple genres, proving that the rhythm section is often the true driving force behind musical revolutions.
