One of the most important figures in American funk music, Bootsy Collins' first band was The Pacemakers, formed in 1968. They became James Brown's backing band, known as the J.B.'s, and Collins' driving bass could be heard on Brown's hits "Sex Machine" and "Soul Power." In 1972 he joined Parliament-Funkadelic, playing on both groups' albums through 1980. During this time he recorded four albums with a spin-off group named Bootsy's Rubber Band, three of which are essential P-Funk recordings. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 with Parliament/Funkadelic.
