Deep Groove Encyclopedia

Bobby Byrd

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Click below for a Bobby Byrd sample:

Hot Pants I'm Coming I'm Coming I'm Coming

If You Got A Love You Better Hold On To It

James Brown's right hand man, Bobby Byrd is probably the world's tightest hype man. It's him that the Godfather is performing some call-and-response with on "Get Up Get Into It Get Involved,", "Licking Stick," "Make It Funky," "Talking Loud and Saying Nothing" and "Soul Power" among others, the gravy to JB's grit. In this capacity, he was essentially providing the support he'd always given to Brother James, dating back to when his family took in the young singer upon his release from jail and essentially made him a family member. It's not often mentioned, but the Famous Flames were Byrd's group prior to Brown's galvanizing persona requiring his name to get top billing.

Byrd never seemed to take it hard, rolling with Brown off and on until settling in at the end of the 60s. In this time, Brown's band was in constant flux, and in need of a steadying influnce. Byrd was right there to provide some necessary guidance, adding some extra flavor to James' aforementioned sessions.

His cameo appearances led to him being given a priviliged position on JB's Brownstone label. Finally getting the chance to shine on his own, Byrd came up strong with "I Know You Got Soul," "Hot Pants I'm Coming I'm Coming I'm Coming" and "If You Got A Love." Some of these records were the best of Brown's outside productions.

Byrd had officially departed Brown's camp by 1974, formally ending a relationship that had built over many years. Brown was married to fellow JB affiliate Vicki Anderson and their child is Carleen Anderson, who recorded one solo album and subsequently joined the Brand New Heavies for a spell.

Bobby Byrd's Deepest Grooves

I Need Help (King, 1970)
First official LP is home to the title song, but his most famous material would be released later as 45-only releases.

"Try It Again" b/w "I'm On the Move" (Kwanza, 1973)

"Back From the Dead" (International Brothers, 1975)

Live at Stufenbau (East Side, 1991)

On the Move (Soulciety, 1993)
German release helps bring Byrd back into the spotlight, heightening anticipation for the following release.

Bobby Byrd Got Soul: The Best of (Polygram, 1995)
At least 10 years after the public demanded it, we finally get Byrd's solo singles reissued on this compilation. All the major jams are here in their original versions. Good liner notes plus a live version of "I Need Help" from the infamous Parisian tour that marked the last days of the original JBs.