Clyde Stubblefield

Short Bio

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Soulful, Stylish, Groovy, Funky... there are too many words that describe Clyde Stubblefield marvelous playing, but there is one thing we can say about him, this man was BORN to play the drums. Besides being James Brown most important and influential drummer, alongside his fellow Jabo Starks, Stubblefield changed the game. With his memorable drums breaks and notable shuffle beats, Clyde gave the drummers a fresh perspective towards funk drumming. His funky soul was so influential that his drum breaks became important not only in funk music but also in the Hip-Hop Golden Days.

Clyde Stubblefield was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on April 18, 1943. As many drum legends, he started his career at a young age with influential musicians. He worked both with the legend Otis Redding and Eddie Kirkland. However, his real breakthrough was in 1965 when he applied to the drummer position in James Brown Orchestra. Originally, Brown selected five drummers but eventually only two stayed, Jabo Starks and Clyde Stubblefield. 

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With just 22 years old he became the drummers of the hottest Soul Artist in the United States.  And just two years later he made his amazing contributions to funk drumming with Cold Sweat. Yet, it was until 1970 when the Funky Drummer single was released, and Clyde's legend was immortalized. Still, he left James Brown that same year. Since then he continued playing with his own band "Clyde Stubblefield Band" and worked in other projects as FunkMasters and J.B.s Reunion Album. He died on February 18, 2017, without the recognition he deserved. Yet Clyde left us his Soulful drum beats that changed both Funk and Hip-Hop forever.