T.M. Stevens (1951–2024), veteran funk-rock bassist 

T.M. Stevens was a veteran funk-rock bassist who played with Billy Joel, , Steve Vai, , and many others.

“Sweet” Charles Sherrell (1943–2023), bassist for James Brown 

“Sweet” Charles Sherrell was a bassist in band in the late 1960s and early 1970s, playing on hits including “Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud.” 

Pee Wee Ellis (1941–2021), bandleader for James Brown, Van Morrison

Pee Wee Ellis was a saxophone player who led and Van Morrison’s bands as well as co-writing songs such as “Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud.”

Danny Ray (1935–2021), James Brown’s longtime emcee and cape man

Danny Ray was longtime personal valet and emcee, who became an integral part of the singer’s stage show as his “cape man.”

Grady Gaines (1934–2021), Little Richard’s saxophone player

Grady Gaines was a blues saxophone player best known for playing in band.

Sterling Magee (1936–2020), one half of blues duo Satan & Adam

Sterling Magee was an acclaimed blues guitarist and musician who was part of the popular blues duo known as Satan & Adam.

Beverly “Guitar” Watkins (1939–2019), unsung blues guitar legend

Beverly “Guitar” Watkins was an unsung blues guitar legend known for her attacking playing style. She was said to play like Jimi Hendrix (playing behind her head) and Pete Townsend, and influenced many musicians including John Lennon. Though she started playing the guitar at a young age and played with and , she achieved greater recognition much later. After some down years in music, she was working various odd jobs, until she became a regular on Atlanta’s blues scene in the 1980s. The Music Maker Relief Foundation set her up on tour with in 1998 and released her first album at the age of 60. She continued playing live until she suffered a stroke in July2019.

John “Jab’o” Starks (1938–2018), drummer with James Brown’s funk band

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — John "Jab'o" Starks, one of the drummers who gave funk singer his driving beat, has died in his native Alabama.

Charles Bradley (1948–2017), soul singer lived his dream

Charles Bradley channeled the struggles of his life into soulful music. At an age when many musicians consider retiring, Bradley was just getting started.

Clyde Stubblefield (1943–2017), drummer for James Brown

Clyde Stubblefield , the funk drummer for and one of the most sampled drummers of all time, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, of kidney failure, according to The Associated Press. He was 73.

Outrageous, Gorgeous George

"Gorgeous George" Wagner was one of the first villains of professional wrestling – and he set a high standard for followers to live up to.

The Tuneful Tammi Terrell

Tammi Terrell was just 24 when she died of a brain tumor, . But during her too-short life, she recorded some of —both as a solo artist and in duets, most notably with .

James Brown's Funky Christmas

The Godfather of Soul James Brown arecorded three Christmas albums during his career, injecting his soulful style into holiday classics and new songs. The 1995 album "James Brown's Funky Christmas" takes the best of"James Brown Sings Christmas Songs" (1966),"A Soulful Christmas" (1968), and "Hey America It's Christmas" (1970), and puts them together in one, funky holiday playlist.

Catfish Collins Played Rhythm Guitar for P-Funk and James Brown

Even if you know the name Bootsy Collins , you may not be familiar with the man who got him into music in the first place:his big brother Phelps, aka (19432010).