Sunday Aug. 2, the place was Hartwood Acres and the park was “packed” waiting for Bootsy Collins to take the stage.
I am a funkateer to my heart and there was no way I was going to miss seeing a free concert featuring Bootsy. No opening act, well let me correct that, the opening act was people watching, grilling, eating and having fun.
A lot of people in the crowd were talking about Collins and the big question was how old is Bootsy? So let’s delve into his background. I found an interesting bio on Oldies.com, yes there is a site for everything and the information cleared up some things for me and confirmed why I like the artists that I like so much. They are all connected or have been at some time. Just so you know I am a funkateer to my heart. For your reading pleasure here a portion of the back story on Collins.
William Collins was born on Oct. 26, 1951, in Cincinnati, Ohio. This exceptional showman was an integral part of the JBs, the back-up group fashioned by James Brown to replace the Famous Flames. Between 1969 and 1971, the distinctive Collins bass playing propelled some of the era’s definitive funk anthems. Collins was later part of the large-scale defection in which several of Brown’s most valued musicians switched to George Clinton’s Parliament/Funkadelic organization.
The bass player’s popularity inspired the formation of Bootsy’s Rubber Band, a spin-off group featuring such Brown/Clinton associates as Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker and Bernie Worrell.
Collins’ outrageous image—part space cadet, part psychedelic warlord—emphasized a mix of funk and fun exemplified by “Psychoticbumpschool” (1976); ‘The Pinocchio Theory” (1977); and “Bootzilla” (1978), a U.S. R&B chart-topper. Some of my favorite Bootsy cuts are: I’d Rather be With You, Bootzilla, Bootsy and The Pinocchio Theory.
I hadn’t been out to Hartwood Acres in a while so this free concert was a treat. At this concert there were two guys dressed like Bootsy, they set off a selfie frenzy.
The friends I went with all brought food and beverages, chairs and blankets. We had a ball. A bunch of old heads that are not too old to have fun. There were food trucks and even a vendor selling Bootsy glasses that lit up. I’m trying to figure out why I did not buy a pair.
Here is a first for concert, a 50/50 raffle. Most in my group bought tickets with hopes of winning of course. The winner got more than $1,000, funny thing when the winning number was read I didn’t hear anyone scream. Did they quietly walk to the front to pick up the money trying not to attract attention? Things that make you go hmmmm.
Summer is coming to an end enjoy the free jazz Sundays in Highland Park or any free concert.
I think it is time for a P-funk workout I’m going to pull out my albums and fire up the turntable. Maybe I can get those Bootsy glasses online.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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