"I'm here to talk to you about one of the best bassists of all time; Bootsy Collins." Word.

Bootsy said that he started with a Silvertone guitar strung with bass strings, James Brown put up with that for a short while but then finally told him to "Get rid of the ruler on a cornflakes box." So Brown offered to get him some new gear and asked him what he wanted to have. Bootsy, being young and full of it, went "I might as well name something really fancy, go big or go home!" and he replied "A Fender Jazz bass with the pearls in the neck and those big Ampeg Amplifiers which look like Giant refrigerators." At which Brown smiled and said "Boy, I like your style, now let's get you that stuff shall we?"

I started playing the bass way back in 1977 after hearing Bootsy playing on Parliament's Mothership Connection album and on Bootsy's first album in 1976. Bootsy was my biggest influence for learning how to play the bass. I was also influenced by Bernard Edwards of Chic.

I met Bootsy and Patti Collins a couple years ago. What gracious and beautiful people they are. I was so honored they spoke to me and took a pic with me. Thank you Bootsy and Patti

"BOOTSY! He's from Outer Space." - Beavis Truer words have never been spoken.

Bootsy's greatest bass solo was on 'I'd Rather Be With You,' on his live show in 1976. He played through a fuzz box, and a Roland Space Echo. As you can tell, I am a Pfunk obsessed musician.

If anyone cares to dig further into Bootsy Collins, “I’d Rather Be With You”, “Hollywood Squares”, and “She Jam(Almost Bootsy Show)” are some of my favorites. I’d also suggest watching some live footage of him with his band, Bootsy’s Rubber Band, his James Brown era, and his stories from Tales from The Tour Bus show that was made by Mike Judge. He’s one of the realest.

James, Bootsy and Sly opened a new world to me in the 60' and 70's.

As as resident of Macon, GA I've had the pleasure to be around Bootsy quite a lot. Every encounter I've had with him has been witnessing, listening, and speaking to such a phenomenal musician and person that doesn't let any sort of fame or wealth get in the way of his love for music and people.

I grew up with this music. Parliament/Funkadelic, Boosty’s Rubber Band. All their music was so deep that I could only listen to it by myself or with my brother. I love all their music but to me the BEST song was “Give it up or Turn it loose” with James Brown. The bass on that song was fantastic. I bump to that song in my truck with the volume all the way.

I love this guy's enthusiasm, combined with his musicianship and knowledge. Fab!

To really understand Parliament/ Funkadelic, it’s best to think of them as two separate entities. Those early Funkadelic records before Bootsy joined are their own animal. Billy Bass Nelson doesn’t get enough shine for those early recordings.

"America Eats its Young" is one of the best albums of all time in my opinion.

I am a Cincy guy and love Bootsy. Recently I was introduced to the magic of Fela Kuti. I am more than certain Bootsy and James Brown were big fans. The base riffs are almost identical.

Bootsy? Player of the Year! (Doesn't matter what year it is.)

"If you fake the funk your nose will grow" - Bootsy Collins / Pinocchio theory

Nice pull to include “Into You”. “Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll!” is another monster. “Night Of The Thumpasorus Peoples” too.

The bassline at the end of Funkadelic's Cholly (funk getting ready to roll) and Parliament's Funkentelechy are to baaadddd basslines.

When I was in school in the 70s, I was addicted to Parliament. My classmates didn't know who they were and I was an outsider. I did predict though, that they are changing "Black" Music forever. Since then you hear all kinds of samples from Parliament in Rap Songs and elsewhere. I only wish I had been able to predict the stock market like that. ;) Bootsy and the Funk was the reason I started to play bass guitar too.

Could we have a video about his Ultra Wave album, it’s literally transcendental it’s so great. I mean it deserves to be in the top 100 albums of all time. Just unbelievable. The last song on it literally takes you somewhere else.

If you want to know the origins of Bootsy's talents, I refer you to O.Gregg: 'You see, the Funk is a living creature. It's 'bout the size of a medicine ball, but covered in teats. It came from another planet, and landed on Bootsy Collins's house. Back then Bootsy was just a simple farmer. But he took one look at all of those mauve titties and he lost his mind. He began to milk the Funk. Made himself a Funk shake. Began to feel fizzy inside. He found he could see 'round corners. Suddenly, he passed out. But when he came to, baby, he was slapping a bass guitar fast and loose like some kind of delirious, funky priest.'

Okay, let me begin by saying that I know nothing about music except what I like. However, this content creator is not only a great player he presents this material EXTREMELY well. He knew the material front to back, u and down. Never a stutter, a stammer or a hesitation. His poise and presence on camera are good examples of a good content creator! Have a sub!

"for those of you who havent heard of parliament funkadelic" its been my favorite band for about 20 some odd years. i can count on my hands and toes how many people have heard of this band its sad

You guys do a great job with these kinds of videos. Love the history and techniques of these iconic players.

Bootsy is legendary. Thanks for covering this. Too many legendary P Funk musicians go unnoticed. Bernie Worrell, Garry Shider, ect. The impact that musicians like Bernie Worrell had on modern music, is remarkable. His classical background genius shines in every song in the Pfunk history. And his influence can be heard in every synth based funk bands of the 80s, like Prince, Zapp, and Gap Band, Greatest keyboardist who ever lived. Just listen to his face-melting key solo on 'Loose Booty,' from America Eats Its Young 1972. Greatest solo, hands down. Barenone

I have been following Reverbs videos for sometim. Your playing has really come a long way since the early days. Nice work!

Bass sounds of Thundercat!

Dude, killer job on the boots lesson. He's definitely one of my biggest influences on bass. Also the reason I have a big muff, bass wah, an mxr envelope filter, & a bassballs envelope filter on my pedalboard. 3 flavors of filter for some funky ass bootsy licks.

Such a great content! Please keep ‘em coming!!

What I really love about Bootsy's basses, is that they are like a compromise between a Jazz Bass and a bass with a "real neck pickup", like a Hofner, or a Gibson, or a Rick. I would really love to have a JB with a pickup closer to the neck.

I worked at MANNY'S music during '86 and I was roping up the flat boxes and their was Bootsy starring at his photo on the wall outside so I went out to meet him and he was really kind and friendly, He shook my hand and man I thought I was being "blessed with the FUNK, I went home and started Jamin' on my guitar.....he's definitely 👑🤘🎸

I enjoyed this video immensely. It brought back a lot of memory. I recall that The Parliaments and the Funkadelics played at one of my high school dances. It was so exciting for me as a young guy just getting in to music.

It feels way too cool to see a yungsta' out there who has love and knowledge of The Funk. Rock on young funkateer. The funk will take you into infinite lands and planets of universal space music formed by the masters of the quasars!!!

such a good video, such a legendary bassist!

Digging the “Superbad” riff man. Thanks for sharing!

I really like this video, very informative. Well put together and researched. Thank you for making it.

Amazing!

groove is in the heart is a badass bass line......for those that don't realize that was Mr.bootz

Great video Jake! Really insightful look at Bootsy’s playing. (I’ve been revisiting Bootsy B-lines since l started playing, 31 years ago, and it’s really informed my playing in others styles too!)

Excellent lesson. I was around when all this was happening. An amazing era of music. Bravo

This was really excellent. Interesting and informative. Many thanks!

I think we need remasters of his recordings highlighting the bass. I love his records, especially the slow jams!

Love these videos! Keep them coming please :)

Excellent tour, Jake. Too young to be there, but you are an excellent archeologist of the FUNK. I enjoyed that, thank you!

Jake! These videos are so cool. I'm mainly a trombonist, but I'm working on learning some bass guitar on thr side, and and this stuff is super helpful. Thanks!

I love these videos, please keep them up!

Good pick, Bootsy was definitively on of my favorite bass players.

awesome review and playing! You can tell from every recording, Bootsy loves to play.

awesome video, love it jake!

Great vid bruh. Really good high content

Excellent video! I grew up enjoying that whole era of really creative music and I even got a few chances to see them perform live. Now my musical taste is more global. However I still enjoy “Da FUNK!” 👌🏿

I don't play bass but I still found that compelling viewing. Everything I feel in my soul regarding bass can be traced back to Bootsy & Larry Graham. Thanks for a great vid Reverd. P.S: Man, you got some skills on bass yo'self!

Bootsy's articulation and accenting is pretty key to his groove, and that unfortunately isn't being reproduced here. I'd urge people to listen close to what Bootsy's right hand is doing.

I loved everything about this video.... Thank you!!!

Really Great gathering of For Real Music info on our home guy, Bootsey. Thanks so much.

Nice work man. May the funk be with you. Glory be the funk on us 🤘🏾

Bootsy got me through high school in the late 70's!

Beautiful presentation. Very knowledgeable of the funk!!!!

That was an exceptional tutorial. Good man.

Fantastic video, thanks for posting 👍😊

This is the best video you guys have ever done

Love this one!! Great work!

That was superb. And what I like the most is that it's not just a brainless gear tips video - it goes deep (as deep as a 13 minute video can allow) into his ideas and how they fitted into each song. I never got into funk (in spite of 36 years of music playing) but I'll definitely come back to this once I get a bass of my own... :-D

Saw your bass, heard your words and all of sudden I'm a subscriber!

An excellent insight of a true musical legend. Thank you 🙏

funk has really come a long way in how it's developed. A lot of groups that consider themselves funk groups are really fusion groups that just emphasize the 1 in their tunes. So younger guys find it hard to appreciate the old masters who would really lay into a groove for a while. But guys like Bootsy are still revered for a reason

I like the fact that you explained it and then did your thing :-)

Thank you very much for your video, great input very insteresting I am a Bootsy's fan for a while and I've learned from video, thank you bro great video

Great host Reverb!

That was a great perspective on Bootsy. Thanks!

Larry Graham was cold-blooded on the bass too.

You actually share the same sentiments as I do about Bootsys bass playing. I really enjoyed this video man. If you haven't checked it out yet, look up Axiom Funks cover if If 6 was 9. Its Bootsy on bass and Buckethead on guitar.

well put together video,cheers, subbed

Wow great video. At 64 I’m very familiar with funk. Bootsy and George are icons. The influence of these two is deep in music still. I’m really glad to see them getting props. I still love the Knee Deep long version. I go into a trance even now. I want to start just laughing and dancing no matter where I’m at.

Great video and looking good -- thanks again!

Love Bootsy and I'm sure he would give you a Thumbs Up! Great job

Great job Jake!

thank you for that Into You track... solid tune

Informative....thank you Sir!

If you didn't grow up in a household that played Parliament Funkadelic nonstop, I feel for you...

Another great video!

Good job! Appreciate the lesson!!

You guys have some fine examples of Bootsy’s solos. IMO, the best is his solo on James Brown’s “Got To Move”. I love the way JB times Bootsy’s solo by calling out his name and at the same time keeping the cadence. Then he solos for second time keeping the root but the notes are more intricate that the first solo. Funky ass bass line blows me away every time I hear it!

Thanks for laying it all out bro

Most def!! Big hugs from New Orleans Louisiana StephopalOpal aka Big Mama music and Peace and ASMR attempts..Thank you for doing this!! Super Appreciate!!

You play pretty darn good yourself bro. Great video

My top 5 Bootsy bass lines; Funkentelechy Uncle Jam Wants You Munchies for Your Love Cholly Funk Getting Ready to Roll Hollywood Squares

The best part of this video is trying to figure out which James Brown, Parliament, or Rubber Band he is playing! I am a life long Bootsy fan. This video reminds me to go home and update my play list with some old favorites.

Highly enjoyable video!

"Like a woodpecker with a headache, baby~buh~buh!"

Great playing!

Much Respect Reverb. Boots is KING👑

Booths is my idol ,I appreciate your video dude

You may be young But you are A fantastic Narrator,Excellent communicator,One of the best New Bass players I've heard,You are really Talented and an excellent,teacher,producer,explainer=MoM,DaD and BooTsy should be PROUD.

You should check out the bass line on"Bootsy, What's The Name Of This Town?" Especially towards the end of the song.

More of this guy please. Great bass player and a joy to watch. Love his bass videos.

Very dope video he sure is one of the greatest bass players

Bootsy you inspire me soooooooo much!

Psychoticbumpschool! That’s one funky jam. Maceo Parker’s horn on that track is beyond words as well.

Young man you a bad boy on that bass keep up the good work. I can’t read music I just feel it but I wish I could read music and play it