High Noon Saloon will host a tribute birthday party for Madison legend and world-famous drummer Clyde Stubblefield in honor of his legacy in music on Friday, April 18.
The famed drummer’s legacy is largely traced to legendary singer, songwriter, dancer, and musician James Brown — but his influence is often unrealized. Stubblefield, known as “The Funky Drummer,” is noted for his break-style drumming that has been one of the most frequently sampled beats throughout music history. The birthday celebration looks to honor and keep alive Stubblefield’s legacy and spread awareness of his impact on music.
Stubblefield was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but had called Madison home since 1971 until his death in late 2017. The location was ideal for Stubblefield. Joey Banks, founder and director of Black Star Drum Line, a youth performance group, described Stubblefield as a “small town kind of cat.”
“He really didn’t dig the big city. Eventually, he didn’t even really dig touring,” Banks said.
Banks calls Stubblefield a mentor, friend, bandmate and father figure. Stubblefield knew Banks since the latter was a young drummer. He remembers playing alongside him and enjoying poker on Sundays at Stubblefield’s house.
Banks is the driving force behind efforts to keep Stubblefield’s name alive. His intimate knowledge of Stubblefield’s life offers a view into his legacy. Banks recalled why Stubblefield decided to settle in Madison — a question he often fields from others who write about The Funky Drummer.
Stubblefield came to Madison initially to visit his brother, Frank. He enjoyed the city and decided to stay. He notes that Stubblefield could have easily gone just about anywhere after his time with James Brown, but places like New York, Nashville or Los Angeles weren’t his scene.
“He would play for a joint and a ham sandwich in somebody’s backyard. That’s the kind of guy he was, and he did that a lot,” Banks said. “That was kind of the attitude about Clyde, and partially because he’s so nice, he just was a genuinely humble, super-nice, kind person.”
Banks strives to push the impact Stubblefield has on music — something that Stubblefield didn’t realize himself. Banks recalled instances where Stubblefield would get checks in the mail for royalties, not realizing he didn’t know he was due.
His music has been sampled all over with notable examples such as “Eric B. is President” by Eric B. & Rakim, “It’s a Demo” by N.W.A., and the Powerpuff Girls theme song, to more modern examples like Ed Sheeran’s “Shirtsleeves.”
But the legacy is more than that, Banks said. Stubblefield’s influence surpasses simple, direct samplings in songs. Rather, whole eras of music take from his break drum lines.
Rap’s prolific change in its sales was caused by rapper 50 Cent through his use of commercial mixtapes to establish fan bases before his debut album “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” to garner commercial success. 50 Cent has largely credited James Brown as his inspiration behind music, often sampling songs like “The Payback.”
Without Stubblefield, songs like that wouldn’t have had the notorious funk drumming style he brought to them. Without James Brown to capitalize on the style, there likely wouldn’t have been a 50 Cent. Without 50 Cent, the commercial success of hip-hop may not have happened as soon as it did. Without the commercial success transformation caused by 50 Cent, artists across generations may never have seen music as a viable path. The path to change in music runs directly through Stubblefield, regardless if realized, Banks said.
“He didn’t care about the money. He would always say, ‘They didn’t give me credit for this. They didn’t give me credit for that,'” Banks remembered.
Due credit has finally made some way in Banks’ efforts. The coming birthday tribute at High Noon Saloon is one of many efforts.
Other benefit concerts will follow in May and June at the Howard Music Hall and at Atwood Music Hall, for its grand opening, respectively.
Banks works towards getting Stubblefield into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Stubblefield was added to Rolling Stone Magazine’s “100 Greatest of All Time” in 2016. Stubblefield was also highlighted in PBS’ documentary “We Want The Funk!” — which was released earlier this month. Banks is also working on a documentary that he started in 2015 when Stubblefield was alive.
A music scholarship was started by Banks in Stubblefield’s honor around 10 years ago. The scholarship, formerly named The Clyde Stubblefield Music Scholarship, helps two students at four-year colleges study music. It has since moved under the Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) with the same mission to honor the legacy of Stubblefield.
“I hope a lot of people will come out and support him on his birthday,” Banks said. “It’s his actual birthday, so it’s unique in that way. It’s also the last place he had his last birthday.”
The Clyde Stubblefield Birthday Tribute will feature funk groups The JB3’S, Automatic Lover, The Funkee JBeez and DJ-Ka-Boom. Proceeds from sales will go to the MAMA Stubblefield Scholarship. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Friday for the event, and the tribute concert will start at 7 p.m. High Noon Saloon is located at 701 E. Washington Ave. on Madison’s East Side. Tickets are currently on sale for $15 if purchased in advance or $20 the day of.
