Today, The New York Times reported that Jabo Starks, the drummer behind some of James Brown’s biggest hits, has passed away at the age of 79. Starks was battling with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes and had been in hospice care for about a week before he died in his Mobile, Alabama home on Tuesday.
A member of James Brown’s backing band, The JBs, Starks was one half of The JBs infamous drumming duo during the Godfather of Soul’s peak years in the 1960s and ’70s—the other drummer being Clyde Stubblefield, who passed away last year. Starks and Stubblefield are two of the most sampled drummers of all time, and Starks lent his pioneering drumming abilities to iconic tracks such as “Super Bad”, “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine”, “The Payback”, “Cold Sweat”, and “Say It Loud — I’m Black and I’m Proud”. Starks also collaborated with iconic blues musicians before his tenure with James Brown, including the likes of John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, and Howlin’ Wolf.
In a tribute on Instagram, Questlove explained Starks’ influence,
It was Clyde that was James’ prettiest rhythm master. But Starks was his most effective drummer. It was the ‘Think (About It)’ break that birthed New Jack Swing culture, B’more/Jersey house and ‘90s R&B. It was ‘Hot Pants (I’m Comin’)’ and ‘I Know You Got Soul’ that really cultivated the classic East Coast renaissance of 1987 – 1992. His eight on the floor style was so unique in his funk. A serious funk god.
Rest in peace, Jabo. Thank you for everything you’ve done for funk music and beyond, and our thoughts are with Starks’ friends and family at this time.
[H/T Okayplayer]