Show summary Hide summary
Bootsy Collins, the rubber-lipped bassist who helped shape funk’s sound, is putting five decades of life on the page. His upcoming memoir promises candid stories from a Cincinnati childhood to center stage, with the kind of unfiltered voice fans have long expected.
Inside the book: chapters, stories, and candid moments
Collins’ memoir, titled Funked Around, Found Out, walks readers through his musical rise and personal turmoil. It opens with his upbringing in Cincinnati and the first bands that set him on a path to fame.
Trump suggests Iran ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego: outrage erupts
Taylor Swift parties with husband Travis Kelce for his 37th birthday in NYC
The narrative moves into his tenure with James Brown, then into the psychedelic and chaotic world of P-Funk. Readers can expect accounts of life with Bootsy’s Rubber Band and the wild backstage politics that shaped the era.
Notable episodes the book covers
- A frightening run-in with Florida’s Black Mafia Family.
- An incident where Parliament-Funkadelic was mistaken for escaped convicts, leading to an invasive search.
- Open discussions of substance use and its effects on his career.
- The career boost tied to the hit “Groove Is in the Heart.”
- A near-fatal motorcycle crash that forced a major life rethink.
Voice, collaborators, and a surprising foreword
Collins speaks plainly about his life and choices. He frames the book as a full-account of his story, not a sanitized highlight reel. The memoir also features a foreword by Snoop Dogg, adding a contemporary hip-hop connection to the funk lineage.
Release date, publisher, and pre-order info
Funked Around, Found Out is scheduled for release on March 23, 2027. The book is being issued by Mariner Books. Pre-orders are available through major booksellers and publisher channels.
Why this memoir is newsworthy
Bootsy Collins helped redefine rhythm and stagecraft. His story intersects with landmark acts and pivotal moments in Black American music. The memoir offers historical context and personal testimony from a musician who remained visible across multiple music generations.
At 74, Collins looks back at a career that touched soul, funk, and mainstream pop. For music historians and casual fans alike, the book promises both archival insight and colorful first-person storytelling.
