Clyde Stubblefield: The Funky Drummer Behind James Brown and Hip-Hop
Clyde Stubblefield helped shape the sound of funk—and gave hip-hop one of its most influential beats. In this episode of Booked On Rock, author D. Leah Steinberg joins me to discuss her book, Clyde Stubblefield: Rhythms of the Funky Drummer. We explore his Chattanooga roots, his creative contributions to James Brown’s “Cold Sweat,” “I Got the Feelin’” and “Funky Drummer,” and the musician behind rhythms heard by generations of listeners.
Our conversation follows Clyde Stubblefield beyond James Brown’s band to his life in Madison, Wisconsin, his recording work with Garbage, and the sampling that carried his playing into hip-hop. We also discuss the recognition and compensation that often eluded him, along with Prince’s quiet generosity in paying his medical bills. Watch the full video interview or listen to the audio episode to discover the man behind the legendary groove.
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