Legendary Funky Drummer Clyde Stubblefield Passes Away at 73

Clyde Stubblefield, the legendary drummer who played with James Brown and created one of the most sampled drum parts in the history of music, has reportedly passed away at the age of 73, Stubblefield’s wife confirmed to Rolling Stone.

Stubblefield, a native of Chattanooga, TN, held down the rhythm for many of Brown’s classic funk hits (along with John “Jabo” Starks), including “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud),” “I Got The Feelin’” and “Funky Drummer,” the last of which provided the iconic drum break that fueled countless hip-hop beats to come, including one by genre pioneers like Run-D.M.C., N.W.A, LL Cool J, Raekwon and The Beastie Boys, earning Stubblefield the unofficial title of “World’s Most Sampled Artist.” Stubblefield continued to drum into his later years, keeping time for the regrouped JBs participating in multiple tributes to James Brown’s music and more, including his Clyde Stubblefield All Star Band.

As news of the drummer’s passing spread, musicians took to social media to tribute the lost legend, including Questlove, who writes, “Thank you for everything you’ve taught me. The spirit of the greatest grace note left hand snare drummer will live on thru all of us.” Bootsy Collins provided a similar note, saying, “We lost another Pillar Stone that held up the Foundation of Funk. Mr.Clyde Stubblefield has left our frequency. I am lost for words & Rythme right now. Dang Clyde! U taught me so much as I stood their watchin’ over u & Jabo while keepin’ one eye on the Godfather. We all loved U so much. R.I.P. From all yr Funkateers…”

Listen to Stubblefield’s ubiquitous drum sample in Brown’s “Funky Drummer” below (starts at 5:34).