Today is the birthday of Clyde Stubblefield, Mr. Funky Drummer. The artwork above and his portrait on the musical reference book / birthday calendar below were made by me.
Clyde Stubblefield was an American drummer, best known for his work with James Brown. He was born on April 18, 1943, and passed away on February 18, 2017. Stubblefield is often regarded as a pioneer in drumming and is even considered one of the most influential drummers of all time. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, an environment where he also grew up, he was likely inspired by the rhythm of rumbling trains and steam factories. Stubblefield began as a session musician with Otis Redding's band before joining James Brown's band in 1965, where he remained until 1971. Stubblefield was the drummer on classic James Brown songs such as Cold sweat, Ain't it funky now and I got the feelin. Funky Drummer from 1970 is also a notable addition to his repertoire; it is often sampled and used in various music genres, from hip-hop to pop and everything in between. His style of play, emphasizing funky rhythms and the use of hi-hats and cymbals, has influenced many drummers and musicians.
Despite his enormous contribution to music, Stubblefield did not always receive the recognition he deserved. He lived for a long time in relative obscurity and struggled financially. It is tragically true that Stubblefield never received royalties for his iconic drumming on "Funky Drummer." Despite this track being sampled countless times by other artists and producers, Stubblefield never received a share of the proceeds. It was a bittersweet irony that his rhythms were heard everywhere, but he himself did not financially benefit from it. Unfortunately, this illustrates a common problem in the music industry, where some artists and musicians are not always fairly rewarded for their creative contributions. Nevertheless, this legendary drummer remained positive. Stubblefield played in local clubs to make ends meet, his favorite spot being the jazz club "The Cardinal Bar" in Madison, where he had the opportunity to continue his passion and at the same time support himself financially. His performances at this club were popular with fans.
In 2002, Stubblefield had a kidney removed. When news of his health and financial problems became known, Prince, his biggest fan, offered to help. Prince covered some of Stubblefield's medical expenses and organized benefit concerts to raise money for him. Prince's help was a welcome support for Stubblefield and his family in a difficult time.
Unfortunately, it was not enough. Clyde Stubblefield, the most humble, classy, and iconic drummer ever, passed away in Madison on February 18, 2017, at the age of 73.
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