U.S. drummer Clyde Stubblefield, best known for his work with James Brown, has died from liver failure at the age of 73.
Stubblefield was one of the most sampled artists of all-time. His original works ended up on recordings for Prince, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and Run–D.M.C. He was so ripped off by other artists who sampled his work without his permission that he became the subject of the movie ‘Copyright Criminals’ about illegal sampling.
Stubblefield started out working for Eddie Kirkland an Otis Redding before James Brown recruited him in 1965. When he was home in Madison, Wisconsin, Clyde had a regular gig with the Clyde Stubblefield band every Monday night for 20 years.
In 2014 the LA Weekly named him the second best drummer of all-time.
When it became known that Clyde was ill, Prince paid his healthcare costs up until his death.
