Bootsy Collins is telling his own story at last. The funk legend has announced his first memoir, Funked Around, Found Out, arriving March 23, 2027. The book is written with pop culture historian Caseen Gaines and traces the 74-year-old’s five-decade career.
A Title That Fits
Collins calls the book “the straight up, real deal” in a statement. “If I’m lyin’, I’m dyin’, and I ain’t ready to go yet,” he writes. For a man promising the real deal, the title Funked Around, Found Out fits.
From Pacemakers to Parliament-Funkadelic
The memoir traces a career that started with the Pacemakers, a band Collins formed with his brother, Phelps “Catfish” Collins. From there, the siblings joined James Brown’s band as the JB’s before splitting off to play with George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic collective. It is a journey that spans five decades, and the book covers all of it.
Trouble in Florida
The book promises more than career highlights. Collins was once targeted by a member of Florida’s Black Mafia Family after a one-night stand.
The LAPD Confusion
In a separate incident, the LAPD mistook Parliament-Funkadelic for escaped convicts. The mix-up ended with a “detailed cavity search,” according to the book’s announcement.
Brown and Clinton
Collins opens up about his occasionally challenging friendship with Clinton. He also details his tumultuous relationship with mentor James Brown, who fined Collins and other JB’s members when they didn’t play to his standards.
Snoop Dogg’s Foreword
Snoop Dogg, Collins’ longtime friend and collaborator, contributes a “funky” foreword to the book.
Publication Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Memoir announced | Now |
| Publication date | March 23, 2027 |
Key Facts
- Title: Funked Around, Found Out
- Author: Bootsy Collins with Caseen Gaines
- Publication date: March 23, 2027
- Collins’ age: 74
- Foreword: Snoop Dogg
The Full Story, Straight From the Source
From the Pacemakers to the JB’s to Parliament-Funkadelic, from run-ins with the Black Mafia Family to a mix-up with the LAPD, from James Brown’s fines to George Clinton’s friendship, the memoir promises a frank look at a life lived loud. Collins isn’t holding back, and fans will get the full story straight from the source when the book arrives March 23, 2027.
Source: pitchfork.com
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