[youtube id=”3hSdvuqqiT8″] John “Jabo” Starks who helped provide the backbone of James Brown’s most revered lineup died Tuesday at his home in Mobile, Alabama after suffering from luekemia. The 79-year old drummer was responsible for creating the rhythms some of Brown’s most celebrated work with Clyde “Funky Drummer” Stubblefield including “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine,” “Funky Drummer” and “The Payback.” Starks worked for Big Mama Thornton, John Lee Hooker and Bobby “Blue” Bland in the early ’60s before joining Brown’s organization. It is Starks’ drums heard on Lyn Collins’ “Think (About It)” that was sampled on Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s “It Takes Two.” He left James Brown in the ’70s and was a member of B.B. King’s band for a while. A reconnection with Stubblefield led to them releasing music as The Funkmasters and recording the 2007 Superbad soundtrack. They also made instructional videos discussing their legendary sound that has been recycled in hip-hop since its inception.Â
My brother, My mentor, the other Funky Drummer has changed frequencies. Mr. John "Jabo" Starks (born October 26, 1938) May 1 2018, was an American funk and blues drummer. He is best known for playing with James… https://t.co/oFa16aB9Lj
— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) May 1, 2018
