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The J.B.'s

From Alfawiki
The J.B.'s
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
FoundedMarch 1970
FounderJames Brown (implied as the band was formed as his backing band)
Headquarters
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, Phelps "Catfish" Collins, Bobby Byrd, John "Jabo" Starks
ProductsFunk and soul music performances and recordings

The J.B.'s—also referred to as The JB's or The J.B.s—served as James Brown's backing band from 1970 into the early 1980s. On various recordings, they appeared under different names such as Fred Wesley and the JBs, The James Brown Soul Train, Maceo and the Macks, A.A.B.B., Fred Wesley and the New JBs, The First Family, and The Last Word. In addition to supporting Brown, the J.B.'s also provided accompaniment for artists like Bobby Byrd and Lyn Collins, who were part of the James Brown Revue, while occasionally recording as a standalone ensemble. Although nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, they have yet to be inducted; however, they remain eligible for consideration under the Musical Excellence category since 1995.

Formation of the original J.B.'s

The J.B.'s were established in March 1970 following a salary disagreement that caused most members of Brown's former band to depart. The initial roster included bassist William "Bootsy" Collins and guitarist Phelps "Catfish" Collins, both previously part of the funk group The Pacemakers; organist Bobby Byrd and drummer John "Jabo" Starks, veterans from Brown's 1960s lineup; three relatively inexperienced horn players—Clayton "Chicken" Gunnells, Darryl "Hasaan" Jamison, Robert McCollough—as well as conga player Johnny Griggs. This ensemble contributed to some of Brown's most seminal funk recordings such as "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine", "Super Bad", "Soul Power", and "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing". They also toured Europe with Brown, resulting in the live album Love Power Peace, appeared on the Sex Machine LP, and released instrumental singles including the heavily sampled track "The Grunt" alongside "These Are the J.B.'s".

Subsequent lineups

In December 1970, trombonist Fred Wesley returned to James Brown's organization to take leadership of the J.B.'s. He was soon joined by former Brown collaborators such as Maceo Parker and St. Clair Pinckney. Meanwhile, the Collins brothers and other members departed to join George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic collective. Both Wesley and Parker exited in 1975. James Brown continued employing the J.B.'s name into the mid-1980s before rebranding the group as the Soul Generals or Soul G's.

Discography and style

Apart from their role as Brown’s backing band on stage and in studio, the J.B.'s issued albums and singles independently, occasionally featuring Brown on organ or synthesizer. Their releases blended robust funk rhythms with jazz influences, predominantly produced by Brown himself and mostly issued through his People Records label. During the early 1970s, they scored several hits including "Pass the Peas," "Gimme Some More," and notably the #1 R&B single "Doing It to Death." Credited to "Fred Wesley & the J.B.'s," this track sold over one million copies, earning a gold certification from the RIAA in July 1973.

Certain albums showcased distinctive approaches: for example, the 1974 release Breakin' Bread incorporated Fred Wesley’s spoken-word recollections layered over pre-recorded backing tracks, contrasting with Brown’s commanding live presence on Doing It to Death. Similarly, Damn Right I Am Somebody (1974) featured edited intros on most songs. Under the pseudonym A.A.B.B. ("Above Average Black Band"), they issued "Pick up the Pieces One by One," which reached #108 on U.S. charts in 1975—an homage to Scottish funk outfit Average White Band’s hit "Pick Up the Pieces." Their last single on People Records, 1976’s "Everybody Wanna Get Funky One More Time," stood out for its uncommon absence of horns.

As disco gained prominence in the late 1970s, the J.B.'s adapted their sound accordingly; however, their commercial success waned alongside that of James Brown. Despite this decline, their recordings continue to be an essential resource for sampling by hip hop DJs and producers.

The JB Horns

During the 1980s and 1990s, Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley occasionally toured under the name The JB Horns, sometimes accompanied by former Brown band members such as Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis. They produced multiple albums for Gramavision, which were later re-released by Rhino Records. Additionally, they collaborated with producer Richard Mazda on the album I Like It Like That.

The JB Horns share a connection with The Horny Horns, a prominent horn section within P-Funk and Bootsy's Rubber Band, led by Fred Wesley and featuring trumpeters Maceo Parker, Rick Gardner, and Richard "Kush" Griffith.

Reunion

In 1999, a group comprising Fred Wesley, Bootsy Collins, Pee Wee Ellis, Bobby Byrd, and Clyde Stubblefield came together to record Bring the Funk on Down, a tribute album dedicated to St. Clair Pinckney. This release initially appeared in Japan via P-Vine Records and was subsequently reissued in the United States by Instinct Records in 2002.

Another reunion involved the original J.B.'s rhythm section—Bootsy and Phelps Collins, Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Starks—joined by Bernie Worrell. This ensemble recorded the soundtrack for Superbad and performed the inaugural tribute concert honoring James Brown.

Albums

  • Food For Thought (1972)
  • Doing It to Death (1973)
  • Damn Right I Am Somebody (1974) – credited as "Fred Wesley & the J.B.'s"
  • Breakin' Bread (1974) – credited as "Fred & the New J.B.'s"
  • Hustle with Speed (1975)
  • Jam II Disco Fever (1978)
  • Groove Machine (1979)
  • Bring the Funk On Down (1999)

Singles

  • 1970
    • "The Grunt, Pt 1" / "Pt 2"
    • "These Are the J.B.'s, Pt 1" / "Pt 2"
  • 1971
  • 1972
  • 1973
  • 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 J.B.'s Monaurail, Pt 1" / "Pt 2"
    • "Thank You for Lettin' Me Be Myself and You Be Yours Pt 1" / "Pt 2"
    • "Pick up the Pieces One by One" / "C.O.L.D." (A.A.B.B.)
  • 1976
    • "All Aboard The Soul Funky Train" / "Thank You for Lettin'... Pt 1"
    • "Everybody Wanna Get Funky One More Time, Pt 1" / "Pt 2"
  • 1977
    • "Music For The People" / "Crossover" – credited as the J.B.'s International
    • "Nature, Pt 1" / "Pt 2" – credited as the J.B.'s International
  • 1978
    • "Disco Fever, Pt 1" / "Pt 2" – credited as the J.B.'s International

CD compilations

  • Funky Good Time: The Anthology (2 CD) (1995)
  • Food for Funk (1997)
  • Pass the Peas: The Best of the J.B.'s (2000)

Personnel over the years as (THE JB's, THE JB's international, and The Soul Generals)

Fred Wesley (1968–1975, 1983)
Maceo Parker (1964–1969, 1973–1975, 1984–1988)
Jimmy Nolen (1965–1969, 1972–1983)
Fred Thomas (1971–1975, 1980–1983, 1993–2006)
John "Jabo" Starks (1966–1975)
Clyde Stubblefield (1966–1970)
Bootsy Collins (1970–1971)
Phelps Collins (1970–1971)
St. Clair Pinckney (1962–1999)
Johnny Griggs (1971–1979, 1984–1988)
Sweet Charles Sherrell (1969–1979, 1983–1997)
Pee Wee Ellis (1965–1969)
Bernard Odum (1959–1968, 1994-1997)
Hearlon "Cheese" Martin (1970–1975)
Darryl "Hassan" Jamison (1970–1971, 1972–1975)
Jerone "Jassan" Sanford (1971–1975, 1978–1983)
Clayton "Chicken" Gunnells (1970–1971)
Robert "Chopper" McCollough (1970)
Jimmy Parker (1971–1975)
Ike Oakley (1972–1974)
Russel Crimes (1971–1978)
Bobby Roach (1970–1972)
John Morgan (1971–1975)
Hollie Farris (1976–1994, 2001–2006)
Joe Poff (1976–1981, 1986, 1991)
Melvin Parker (1964–1969, 1976–1977)
Tyrone Jefferson (1976–1980, 1984, 1991–2006)
Tony Cook (1976–1993, 2005–2006)
David Weston (1976–1982)
Keith Jenkins (1994–2006)
Jeff Watkins (1994–2006)
Arthur Dickson (1978–1998)
Ron Laster (1978–2006)
Robert "Mousey" Thompson (1993–2006)
Aaron Purdie (circa 1970s to 1980s)
Erik Hargrove (1998–2005)
Jerry Pondixter (1978–1983, 1992–2005)
George "Spike" Nealy (1991–2006)
Ray Brundidge (1998–2006)
Damon Wood (1999–2006)
Robert "The Plaster" (2006)
Jimmy Lee Moore (1984–2001)
Joe Collier (1981–2000)
Larry Moore (1984–1992)
Todd Owens (1992–2001)
Leroy Harper Jr. (1991–1993, 1997–2006)
Sir Waldow Weathers (1993–2006)
George "Haji Ahkba" Dickerson (1984–1988)
Tony Jones (1984–1988, 1994, 1997–2001)
J? Jackson (1991–1994)
Darryl Brown (1999–2006)

See also

External links

  • [ Allmusic page on the J.B.'s]
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