Robert “P-Nut” Johnson, vocalist for Bootsy’s Rubber Band, Parliament, Funkadelic and other various George Clinton bands, died on Sunday, March 12 after a lengthy illness.
After playing in a number of bands in the Baltimore area, Johnson sang on two albums by Bootsy Collins, Stretchin’ Out in Bootsy’s Rubber Band (1976) and Ahh…the Name is Bootsy, Baby! (1977) along with Fred Wesley & the Horny Horns’ A Blow For Me, A Toot For You (1977) before transitioning over to both of George Clinton’s bands, Parliament and Funkadelic.
Robert is credited with singing on numerous Parliament, George Clinton and P-Funk All Stars albums:
Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome – Parliament (11/77)
Motor Booty Affair – Parliament (11/78)
Gloryhallastupid – Parliament (11/79)
Trombipulation – Parliament (12/80)
Urban Dancefloor Guerillas – P-Funk All Stars (1983)
Live at the Beverly Theater – P-Funk All Stars (recorded 1983, released 1990)
Family Series, Vol. 1: Go Fer Yer Funk – George Clinton & P-Funk All Stars (2/93)
Hydraulic Funk – P-Funk All Stars (1995)
Dope Dogs – George Clinton & P-Funk All Stars (1995)
T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M. – P-Funk All Stars (6/96)
How Late Do U Have 2 B B 4 U R Absent? – George Clinton & P-Funk All Stars (2/05)
George Clinton & His Gangsters of Love – George Clinton & His Gangsters of Love (9/08)
First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate – Funkadelic (12/14)
Some sources also have him contributing vocals to the Funkadelic album The Electric Spanking of War Babies (1981) and other Collins and Wesley sets.
Bootsy Collins wrote:
We lost another one to that other frequency. Mr.ROBERT “PNUT” JOHNSON. Born in Baltimore in 1947, P-Nut started on the road with Bootsy’s Rubber Band and in the studio with P-Funk in 1976. When Bootsy stopped touring in 1979, P-Nut segued to P-Funk. Prior to joining Bootsy’s Rubber Band and P-Funk, P-Nut played with local bands in the Baltimore area. Share yr condolences for his family & friends. Another P-Funk legend R.I.P.
