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Celebrating James Brown: James Brown's Ghostwriter Bruce Tucker.

Today's show is in honor of the great James Brown who celebrates his birthday this weekend: Writer Bruce Tucker. He was the ghostwriter for James Brown's autobiography, The Godfather of Soul. Tucker is a contributing editor for The Black Music Research Journal. (REBROADCAST from 9/4/90)

22:22
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Other segments from the episode on May 1, 1998

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, May 1, 1998: Interview with Bruce Tucker; Interview with Maceo Parker; Interview with Bootsy Collins; Review of the film "He Got Game."
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11:19

Celebrating James Brown: Funk Idol Bootsy Collins.

Musician Bootsy Collins got his start with James Brown, where he "defined the finger-popping funk bass style" (Rolling Stone). He went on to work with George Clinton as part of the Parliment-Funkadelic tribe, before forming Bootsy's Rubber Band. On stage, he created alter egos, including Bootzilla, Boot-Tron, and King of the Geepies. He's put out more than 30 albums. (REBROADCAST from 10/10/94)

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24:19

James Brown's Ghostwriter Bruce Tucker

Tucker wrote Brown's memoir, The Godfather of Soul, which was recently reprinted. He joins Fresh Air to talk about Brown's rise as a soul singer, the evolution of his stage persona, and his recent conviction and imprisonment, a punishment which Tucker believes is too severe based on the charges.

Interview
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22:49

Funk Idol Bootsy Collins

Collins got his start with James Brown, where he "defined the finger-popping funk bass style" (Rolling Stone). He went on to work with George Clinton as part of the Parliment-Funkadelic tribe, before forming Bootsy's Rubber Band. On stage, he created alter egos, including Bootzilla, Boot-Tron, and King of the Geepies. He's put out more than 30 albums, and has just released "Blasters of the Universe," with a new band.

Interview
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10:35

The Godfather of Soul's Sax Player

Maceo Parker was a member of James Brown's horn section. Parker was hired along with his brother, but soon made a name for himself. His new album is a straightforward jazz record, called Roots Revisited.

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