Catfish Collins
Encyclopedia
Phelps "Catfish" Collins (1944 – August 6, 2010) was a rhythm guitar
ist known mostly for his work in the P-Funk
collective. Although frequently overshadowed by his younger brother, Bootsy Collins
, Catfish played on many important and influential records by Parliament
, Funkadelic
, and Bootsy's Rubber Band.
In 1968, the Collins brothers, along with Kash Waddy and Philippe Wynne
, formed a group called The Pacemakers
. Later the Pacemakers were hired by James Brown
to accompany his vocals, at this they became known as The J.B.'s
. Some of Brown's previous band members had walked out because of money disputes. During their tenure in the J.B.'s, they recorded such classics as "Super Bad
", "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine
", "Soul Power
", and "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose
". By 1971, Collins and the rest of the J.B.'s had quit James Brown. The Collins brothers and Kash Waddy formed House Guests
and shortly after joined Funkadelic
and contributed to the Funkadelic album America Eats Its Young
. Four years later, Collins joined Bootsy's Rubber Band, which included Waddy, Joel "Razor Sharp" Johnson
(keyboards), Gary "Muddbone" Cooper (drums), and Robert "P-Nut" Johnson (vocals), along with The Horny Horns
. Collins also played on albums by Deee-Lite
, Freekbass, and H-Bomb.
On his early work with James Brown and Funkadelic, Catfish played a Vox Ultrasonic
guitar with built-in effects.
He died on August 6, 2010 after a long battle with cancer
.
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
ist known mostly for his work in the P-Funk
P-Funk
P-Funk is a shorthand term for the repertoire and performers associated with George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic collective and the distinctive style of funk music they performed...
collective. Although frequently overshadowed by his younger brother, Bootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins
William Earl "Bootsy" Collins is an American funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament-Funkadelic in the '70s, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk...
, Catfish played on many important and influential records by Parliament
Parliament (band)
Parliament was a funk band most prominent during the 1970s. It and its sister act Funkadelic, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
, Funkadelic
Funkadelic
Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
, and Bootsy's Rubber Band.
In 1968, the Collins brothers, along with Kash Waddy and Philippe Wynne
Philippe Wynne
Philippé Wynne , born Phillip Walker, was an American R&B singer. Best known for his role as the lead singer of The Spinners , Wynne scored notable hits such as "How Could I Let You Get Away", "The Rubberband Man",and "One of a Kind ",...
, formed a group called The Pacemakers
The Pacemakers (funk band)
The Pacemakers were a late-1960s American funk group that consisted of bassist William "Bootsy" Collins, his older brother Phelps "Catfish" Collins on guitar, Philippé Wynne on vocals, and drummer Will Jackson ....
. Later the Pacemakers were hired by James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
to accompany his vocals, at this they became known as The J.B.'s
The J.B.'s
The J.B.'s were James Brown's band during the first half of the 1970s. On record the J.B.'s were sometimes billed under various alternate names such as The James Brown Soul Train, Maceo and the Macks, A.A.B.B., The First Family and The Last Word...
. Some of Brown's previous band members had walked out because of money disputes. During their tenure in the J.B.'s, they recorded such classics as "Super Bad
Super Bad (song)
"Super Bad" is a 1970 James Brown song. Originally released as a three-part single, it went to number one on the soul singles chart and number 13 on the Hot 100....
", "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine
Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine
"Get Up Sex Machine" is a funk song recorded by James Brown in 1970 and released as a two-part single on King Records....
", "Soul Power
Soul Power
"Soul Power" is a song by James Brown. Recorded in 1971 with the original J.B.'s and released as a three-part single, it was a Top Ten R&B hit. The song also appeared on the 1972 album Soul Classics...
", and "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose
Give It Up or Turnit a Loose
"Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" is a funk song recorded by James Brown. Released as a single in 1969, it was a #1 R&B hit and also made the top 20 pop singles chart...
". By 1971, Collins and the rest of the J.B.'s had quit James Brown. The Collins brothers and Kash Waddy formed House Guests
House Guests
House Guests was an early-1970s American funk group that consisted of bassist William "Bootsy" Collins, his older brother Phelps "Catfish" Collins on guitar, Frank "Kash" Waddy on drums, Clayton "Chicken" Gunnells on trumpet, and Robert McCullough on saxophone....
and shortly after joined Funkadelic
Funkadelic
Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
and contributed to the Funkadelic album America Eats Its Young
America Eats Its Young
America Eats Its Young is the fourth album by Funkadelic, released in 1972. This was the first album to include the whole of the House Guests, including Bootsy Collins, Catfish Collins, Chicken Gunnels, Rob McCollough and Kash Waddy...
. Four years later, Collins joined Bootsy's Rubber Band, which included Waddy, Joel "Razor Sharp" Johnson
Joel Johnson
Joel Johnson is an American businessman and former White House Senior Advisor. He is currently a partner with the Glover Park Group. He served in the Clinton Administration as President Bill Clinton's senior advisor for policy and communication....
(keyboards), Gary "Muddbone" Cooper (drums), and Robert "P-Nut" Johnson (vocals), along with The Horny Horns
The Horny Horns
The Horny Horns were a horn section associated with Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy's Rubber Band led by trombonist Fred Wesley. The group also featured saxophonist Maceo Parker and Rick Gardner and Richard 'Kush" Griffith on trumpets.While they are best-known for their contributions to other...
. Collins also played on albums by Deee-Lite
Deee-Lite
Deee-Lite was an American house and club/dance group, formed in New York City, United States. The group's best-known single was "Groove Is in the Heart", from their 1990 debut album, World Clique. However, Deee-Lite achieved longer lasting success on the U.S...
, Freekbass, and H-Bomb.
On his early work with James Brown and Funkadelic, Catfish played a Vox Ultrasonic
Vox Ultrasonic
The Vox Ultrasonic or V268 was a mid- to late-1960s hollow body thinline electric guitar. The guitar's body resembled Gibson thinline models such as the ES-335, but otherwise was quite different...
guitar with built-in effects.
He died on August 6, 2010 after a long battle with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.