James Brown's 'Funky Drummer' Clyde Stubblefield, who created famous drum break that was sampled on over 1,000 songs, dies at 73

  • Clyde Stubblefield, a drummer for James Brown who created one of the most widely sampled drum breaks ever, died Saturday. He was 73
  • Stubblefield died of kidney failure at a Madison, Wisconsin, hospital around noon, his wife Jody Hannon said
  • He performed on several of Brown's classics in the 1960s and early 70s
  • But he was best known for a short solo on Brown's 1970 single, Funky Drummer
  • Rolling Stone magazine said it was sampled on over 1,000 songs and served as the backbeat for countless hip-hop tracks 

By Associated Press and Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 19:38 EST, 18 February 2017 | Updated: 02:13 EST, 19 February 2017

Clyde Stubblefield, a drummer for James Brown who created one of the most widely sampled drum breaks ever, died Saturday. He was 73.

Stubblefield died of kidney failure at a Madison, Wisconsin, hospital around noon, his wife Jody Hannon said. 

He had been suffering from kidney disease for 10 years, and had been hospitalized for a few days, she said.

Stubblefield performed on several of Brown's classics in the 1960s and early 70s, including Cold Sweat, Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud, I've Got the Feelin', and the album Sex Machine.

But he was best known for a short solo on Brown's 1970 single, Funky Drummer. 

Clyde Stubblefield, a drummer for James Brown who created one of the most widely sampled drum breaks ever, died Saturday. He was 73

Clyde Stubblefield, a drummer for James Brown who created one of the most widely sampled drum breaks ever, died Saturday. He was 73

Stubblefield died of kidney failure at a Madison, Wisconsin, hospital around noon, his wife Jody Hannon said (2015 photo) 

Stubblefield died of kidney failure at a Madison, Wisconsin, hospital around noon, his wife Jody Hannon said (2015 photo) 

Stubblefield was a drummer for Brown from 1965 to 1971, and played alongside fellow drummer John 'Jabo' Starks in the band, Rolling Stone reported.

Regarding the Funky Drummer drum break, Stubblefield told the magazine: 'We were sitting up in the studio, getting ready for a session, and I guess when I got set up I just started playing a pattern. Started playing something.

'The bassline came in and the guitar came in and we just had a rhythm going, and if Brown liked it, I just said, "Well, I'll put something with it."'

According to the magazine, it was sampled on over 1,000 songs and served as the backbeat for countless hip-hop tracks, including Public Enemy's Fight the Power, Dr. Dre's Let Me Ride, LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out and Run-D.M.C.'s Run's House.

It even turned up on Ed Sheeran's Shirtsleeves and George Michael's Freedom '90, the magazine said.  

James Brown is pictured performing in this July 1969 file photograph in Newport, California

James Brown is pictured performing in this July 1969 file photograph in Newport, California

Clyde Stubblefield is pictured with his wife Jody Hannon, in their Madison, Wisconsin, home (2013 photo)

Clyde Stubblefield is pictured with his wife Jody Hannon, in their Madison, Wisconsin, home (2013 photo)

Stubblefield was a drummer for Brown from 1965 to 1971, and drummed alongside John 'Jabo' Starks in the band. They are pictured together in January at Guitar Center's 28th Annual Drum-Off Finals Event

Stubblefield was a drummer for Brown from 1965 to 1971, and drummed alongside John 'Jabo' Starks in the band. They are pictured together in January at Guitar Center's 28th Annual Drum-Off Finals Event

Stubblefield said to the New York Times in 2011: 'People use my drum patterns on a lot of these songs. They never gave me credit, never paid me. 

'It didn't bug me or disturb me, but I think it's disrespectful not to pay people for what they use.'

Hennon said Stubblefield saw 'very little' in royalties and never expected them. 

But Stubblefield was held in high esteem by his fellow musicians. 

When Prince got wind in 2000 that Stubblefield was deep in debt from a fight against bladder cancer, he personally paid $90,000 to cover his bills, she said. 

'Clyde was considered his favorite drummer,' she added.

Clyde Stubblefield and Public Enemy rapper Chuck D are pictured performing on stage together at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

Clyde Stubblefield and Public Enemy rapper Chuck D are pictured performing on stage together at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

Stubblefield was 'a very nice southern gentleman' from Chattanooga, Tennessee, but had lived in Madison, his wife's hometown, since the early 1970s, she said. 

He had long been a fixture on the local music scene.

'He played here one time with James Brown and just fell in love with it,' Hannon said. 

Questlove, the drummer for the hip hop group The Roots, posted a photo of Stubblefield on Instagram Saturday, writing: 'The Funky Funkiest Drummer Of All Time. Clyde Stubblefield 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. #RIP.'

Bassist Bootsy Collins wrote on Facebook Saturday: 'We lost another Pillar Stone that held up the Foundation of Funk. Mr.Clyde Stubblefield has left our frequency. I

'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.'

Services are pending. 

Stubblefield died of kidney failure at a Madison hospital around noon, his wife said (2013 photo)

Stubblefield died of kidney failure at a Madison hospital around noon, his wife said (2013 photo)

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