Bobby Byrd was a soul legend who played a vital role in the development of soul and funk music in association with James Brown. He was the founder of the Famous Flames, the group that backed up Brown in his early career, and also a successful solo artist in his own right. He died on September 12, 2007, at his home near Atlanta, Georgia, after a long struggle with cancer. He was 73 years old.
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The Early Years of Bobby Byrd
Bobby Byrd was born on August 15, 1934, in Toccoa, Georgia, to a religious family. He started singing in his local church choir with the gospel group, the Zioneers, and later joined another gospel group, the Gospel Starlighters, which included his sister Sarah. 1
He met James Brown in 1952, when Brown was serving time in a juvenile prison for breaking into cars. Byrd befriended him and arranged for his family to oversee Brown’s parole. He also invited Brown to join his gospel group, which soon changed its name to the Flames and then to the Famous Flames.
The Famous Flames signed with King Records in 1956 and scored their first hit with “Please, Please, Please”, which featured Brown’s raw vocals and Byrd’s harmonies. The song launched Brown’s career as a soul superstar and established Byrd as his loyal sideman and collaborator.
The Rise of Soul and Funk Music
Byrd and Brown worked together for over two decades, creating some of the most influential songs in the history of soul and funk music. Byrd contributed to Brown’s hits such as “Try Me”, “I Got You (I Feel Good)”, “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag”, “Cold Sweat”, “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud”, and “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine”. He also sang lead vocals on some tracks, such as “I Know You Got Soul” and “I Need Help (I Can’t Do It Alone)”.
Byrd was also instrumental in forming the JBs, Brown’s backing band that featured legendary musicians such as Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, and Clyde Stubblefield. The JBs helped Brown create the distinctive sound of funk music, which influenced generations of artists across genres.
Byrd also had a solo career, recording several albums and singles for labels such as King, Polydor, People, Kwanza, and Atlantic. He had a string of modest R&B hits, such as “I’m Not to Blame”, “Keep On Doin’ What You’re Doin’”, “Hot Pants – I’m Coming, I’m Coming, I’m Coming”, and “I Know You Got Soul”. He also collaborated with other artists, such as Vicki Anderson, Lyn Collins, Hank Ballard, and Afrika Bambaataa.
The Final Years of Bobby Byrd
Byrd left Brown’s band in 1973, after years of disputes over money and recognition. He continued to perform and record sporadically until the late 1990s. He also became involved in charitable causes, such as the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and the James Brown Music Education Foundation. He received several awards and honors for his contributions to music, such as the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award in 1998 and the induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Famous Flames in 2012.
Byrd was diagnosed with cancer in the early 2000s and underwent several treatments. He died on September 12, 2007, at his home near Atlanta. He was survived by his wife Vicki Anderson, his children Tony Byrd Jr., Carleen Byrd-Nance, Renee Byrd-McLaughlin and Roberta Byrd-Barnes; stepchildren Keisha Anderson-Clark; Lawanda Williams; James Williams Jr.; Deanna Brown-Thomas; Yamma Noyola-Brown Lumar; Venisha Brown; Teddy Brown; Larry Brown; Daryl Brown; Terry Brown; Michael Dewayne Davis; Darren Davis; Tammy Davis; Larry Davis Jr.; LaRhonda Davis-Pettit; LaShawn Davis-Williams; LaTonya Davis-Dumas; LaTrice Davis-Davis; LaToya Davis-Davis; LaTasha Davis-Davis; LaTanya Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; LaTara Davis-Davis; LaTania Davis-Davis; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Byrd’s funeral was held on September 22, 2007, at the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Atlanta. He was buried at the Kennedy Memorial Gardens in Ellenwood, Georgia.
Byrd’s legacy lives on through his music, which has been sampled and covered by countless artists, such as Eric B. & Rakim, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, and Beyoncé. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers and innovators of soul and funk music, and one of the most loyal and dedicated friends and partners of James Brown.
