Bootzilla

Bootsy Collins is part of the Parliament-Funkadelic family, which in the mid-'70s started creating outrageous characters that were often the basis for these songs; there's Sir Nose, Starchild, Mr. Wiggles and lots of others. In many cases, the band members portrayed these characters on stage. Collins was always one of the most flamboyant members of the group, wearing star-shaped sunglasses, a top hat, and lots of sparkles. He created a character called Bootzilla, a "rhinestone rock-star" that was an extension of his stage look. In this song he embodies Bootzilla, who we learn can take the form of the world's funkiest doll (pull the string to get 14-carat funk!). Bootsy's songs were often a little sillier than most P-Funk material, but no less musically inventive.

The land of P-Funk was ruled by George Clinton, who hired Bootsy Collins to play bass and other instruments in the group in 1972. Bootsy quickly became one of the most visible members of the group and a key contributor to their songwriting; he co-wrote tunes like "Up For The Down Stroke" and "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)." In 1976, Clinton helped him launch Bootsy's Rubber Band, one of many P-Funk spinoffs. The Rubber Band was the same set of musicians but was a showcase for Collins, who did a lot more of the vocals. "Bootzilla" is from the second Bootsy's Rubber Band album, Bootsy? Player Of The Year. Collins and Clinton wrote the song together, and the guys from P-Funk played on it. Bootsy handled bass, guitar and drums, augmented by: Vocals: Gary "MudBone" Cooper, Robert "P-Nut" Johnson Guitar: Phelps Collins Piano, synthesizer: Bernie Worrell Trumpet: Rick Gardner, Richard "Kush" Griffith Trombone: Fred Wesley Saxophone, electric piano: Maceo Parker

"Bootzilla" was a #1 R&B hit, topping the chart on March 25, 1978. The song it dethroned was "Flash Light," a Parliament classic that Bootsy co-wrote.