Bobby Byrd: I Know You Got Soul (Long Version)
From James Brown’s Funky People Pt. 2 (Polydor, 1970s)
From 7″ (King, 1967). Also on King New Breed.
From 7″ (Identify, 1975). Also on James Brown’s Original Funky Divas.
I take no pleasure in what seems like is a constant stream of in memoriam posts but truly, we’re reaching a time when a lot of the musical giants from the last 30-40 years are passing away. Yesterday, it was Joe Zawinul, today, it’s Bobby Byrd – James Brown’s constant vocal stalwart and a striking soul/funk singer in his own right. I’m not going to write anything too extensive – I’m sure there will be far more eloquent and informed folks out there breaking down Byrd’s legacy but I did want to at least share some music. “I Know You Got Soul” is Byrd’s best known solo work (though one could argue that “Sex Machine” wouldn’t be half the song it is without his exhortations), and one of the truly great, great James Brown productions of all time (and of course, given a new lease on life thanks to Eric B. and Rakim). “I Found Out” is taken from Byrd’s early years with King, showcasing some of his vocal skills as a crooner and not just the illest hype man in funk history. Last, but not least, is a cover of “You’re Welcome, Stop On By” sung by Byrd and his wife (who he met when she was one of Brown’s key divas), Vicki Anderson.
Rest in peace Bobby. Word to the Byrd!
And speaking of funk greats, RIP to NOLA’s Willie Tee.
Yes, but you left out the most IMPORTANT fact: That BOBBY BYRD was the FOUNDER and ORIGINAL LEADER of the VOCAL GROUP , THE FAMOUS FLAMES…the group that first gave the world JAMES BROWN.
Far too much emphasis over the years has been placed on Bobby’s FUNK career , while his years as a member of THE FAMOUS FLAMES has been COMPLETELY IGNORED.Also, there is far too much MISINFORMATION out there as to just WHO The FAMOUS FLAMES really were. Here are the FACTS:
THE FAMOUS FLAMES were a SINGING GROUP. They were NOT MUSICIANS or James Brown Bandmembers . The FAMOUS FLAMES were :JAMES BROWN, BOBBY BYRD, BOBBY BENNETT, and LLOYD STALLWORTH, with JOHNNY TERRY acting as an occasional FIFTH MEMBER. That’s IT. NO INSTRUMENTALISTS. The Famous Flames were NOT: MACEO, FRED WESLEY, JABO STARKS BOOTSY COLLINS , etc..
James Brown himself verified this in an 1982 appearance on NBC’s The DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW…and that video is on YouTube for everyone to see. James said, and I quote: “The FLAMES was a SINGING GROUP. The BAND is The JB’S.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJXITLhrzJw&t=195s
And here’s the IMPORTANT part: The Famous Flames , The JB’s, AND James Brown were ALL discovered by BOBBY BYRD. Here’s another forgotten fact: THE FAMOUS FLAMES (BYRD, BENNETT. STALLWORTH, and TERRY) were inducted into THE ROCK and ROLL HALL of FAME in 2012. They were inducted as MAIN PERFORMERS as an addendum to James Brown’s 1986 solo induction, under the premise that the FLAMES should have been inducted with BROWN in 1986. James Brown HIMSELF was a member of the FAMOUS FLAMES, and early hit records like PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE , TRY ME, BEWILDERED, I’LL GO CRAZY, OH BABY DON’T YOU WEEP, THINK, and many others , were recorded by JAMES BROWN & THE FAMOUS FLAMES with BOBBY BYRD…not BROWN ALONE.
The OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE of THE FAMOUS FLAMES
https://www.facebook.com/thefamousflamesbysandibennett/