The J.B.'s

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The J.B.'s were the most renowned of James Brown's many backing bands (previously, the Famous Flames and the James Brown Band). The band provided musical support for the legendary singer and bandleader for the first half of the 1970s. The band stepped in to fill the shoes of Brown's previous band, who had walked out on him due to his arduous demands. The band's rhythmic foundation was initially provided by teenage bass prodigy William "Bootsy" Collins and his guitarist brother Phelps "Catfish" Collins, both of obscure R&B outfit The Pacesetters. Also included in the original lineup was Brown's organist friend and longtime musical partner Bobby Byrd. The new outfit attracted musicians from Brown's previous bands and new players as the lineup shifted almost constantly throughout the early 1970s, before disbanding after the departures of Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker.

In addition to backing Brown during this era, the band also scored a number of funk hits, including "Pass the Peas" and "The Grunt."

"The Grunt" was featured on the soundtrack of the popular videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on fictional radio station Master Sounds 98.3.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

• Food For Thought (1972)
• Doing It To Death (1973)
• Damn Right I Am Somebody (1974)
• Breakin' Bread (1974)
• Hustle with Speed (1975)
• Bring The Funk On Down (1999)

[edit] Singles

• 1970
  • The Grunt, Pt 1 / Pt2
  • These Are the JB's, Pt 1 / Pt 2
• 1971
  • My Brother, Pt 1 / Pt 2
  • Gimme Some More / The Rabbit Got The Gun
• 1972
  • Pass the Peas / Hot Pants Road
  • Givin' Up Food For Funk, Pt 1 / Pt 2
  • Back Stabbers / JB Shout
• 1973
  • Watermelon Man /Alone Again, Naturally
  • Sportin' Life / Dirty Harri
  • Doing It To Death/Everybody Got Soul
  • You Can Have Watergate / If You Don't Get It The First Time...
  • Same Beat, Pt 1 / Pt 2
• 1974
  • Damn Right I Am Somebody, Pt 1 / Pt 2
  • Rockin' Funky Watergate, Pt 1 / Pt 2
  • Little Boy Black / Rockin Funky Watergate
  • Breakin' Bread / Funky Music Is My Style
• 1975
  • Makin' Love/Rice 'n' Ribs
  • (It's Not the Express) It's the JB's Monaurail, Pt 1 / Pt 2
  • Thank You for Lettin' Me Be Myself and You Be Yours Pt 1 / Pt 2
• 1976
  • All Aboard The Soul Funky Train / Thank You for Lettin'... Pt 1
  • Everybody Wanna Get Funky One More Time, Pt 1 / Pt 2