View source for Bootsy Collins

===1980s–1990s===
Collins released two albums in 1980: his first "solo" album ''[[Ultra Wave]]'' on [[Warner Records|Warner Bros.]], and ''[[Sweat Band]]'', on George Clinton's [[Uncle Jam]] label, with a group billed as Bootsy's Sweat Band. He also was credited for co-producing the debut of P-Funk spinoff [[Zapp (band)|Zapp]].

In 1984, he collaborated with [[Jerry Harrison]] of [[Talking Heads]] to produce "[[Five Minutes (Bonzo Goes to Washington song)|Five Minutes]]", a dance record sampled and edited from [[Ronald Reagan]]'s infamous "[[We begin bombing in five minutes]]" speech. The record was credited to "Bonzo Goes to Washington" (also referenced in the 1985 [[Ramones]] song "[[Bonzo Goes to Bitburg]]", derived from Reagan's starring role as Professor Peter Boyd in the 1951 comedy film ''[[Bedtime for Bonzo]]'').

After a nearly five-year hiatus, Collins had a comeback in 1988 (with some help from producer [[Bill Laswell]]). ''[[What's Bootsy Doin'?]]'' flaunted a new sound that foreshadowed the 1990s, such as the dance floor smash "Party on Plastic". Laswell introduced Collins to [[Herbie Hancock]], resulting in ''[[Perfect Machine]]'' (1988). The techno-funk they recorded featured turntables for scratch appeal, and smoothly-stylized vocals by [[Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner]] of the chart-topping [[Ohio Players]]. These were the first of many collaborations between Laswell and Collins on many albums and projects, with the prolific producer using Bootsy mainly as a bassist but sometimes as a [[rhythm guitar]]ist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jazztimes.com/features/lists/before-after-bill-laswell/|title=Before & After with Bassist and Producer Bill Laswell|first=Brad|last=Farberman|website=JazzTimes.com|date=April 25, 2019|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>

Also in 1988, Collins appeared as a guest artist to play bass on [[Keith Richards]] and The X-Pensive Winos album [[Talk Is Cheap|''Talk is Cheap'']]. That same year Collins also made a cameo appearance in rapper [[Eazy-E]]’s music video for [[We Want Eazy]].

In 1989, Collins played bass on and produced several tracks of [[Malcolm McLaren]]'s album ''[[Waltz Darling]]'', credited to Malcolm McLaren and the Bootzilla Orchestra.

In 1990, Collins collaborated with [[Deee-Lite]] on their biggest hit "[[Groove Is in the Heart]]", and contributed additional vocals. Although he appeared in the music video playing the bass, the bassline in the song is actually a sample of a Herbie Hancock song called "Bring Down the Birds". Bootsy's Rubber Band became the de facto backing musicians for Deee-Lite during a world tour. The Rubber Band also recorded the EP ''[[Jungle Bass]]'', their first recording in 11 years.

Collins joined guitarist [[Stevie Salas]] and drummer [[Buddy Miles]] to form the funk-metal fusion group [[Hardware (band)|Hardware]] in 1992. The trio released one album, ''[[Third Eye Open (Hardware album)|Third Eye Open]]'', before disbanding. In the same year, Collins played bass guitar on the first [[Praxis (band)|Praxis]] album (produced by Laswell): ''[[Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis)|Transmutation]]'', alongside fellow Parliament-Funkadelic member [[Bernie Worrell]], [[Bryan Mantia]] and [[Buckethead]].

Bootsy's New Rubber Band formed in 1994, releasing ''[[Blasters of the Universe]]'' and the live release "[[Keepin' dah Funk Alive 4-1995]]", recorded over two nights in Tokyo.
[[File:Bootsy_Collins-04.jpg|thumb|Collins performing in 1998]]

In 1995, Collins played in the remake of [[Jimi Hendrix]]'s "[[If 6 Was 9]]", for Axiom Funk, a Funkadelic-like one-off supergroup produced by Bill Laswell and featuring (Funkadelic members) George Clinton, Bernie Worrell, Collins, [[Eddie Hazel]], [[Gary Shider]] and Laswell. The group released only one album (''[[Funkcronomicon]]''), and the song also appeared in the soundtrack of the movie ''[[Stealing Beauty]]''. He also featured on [[Jon B.]]'s song "Simple Melody" from his debut album, "[[Bonafide (Jon B. album)|Bonafide]]".

Collins collaborated with [[Del McCoury]], [[Doc Watson]] and [[Mac Wiseman]] to form [[The GrooveGrass Boyz]]. They produced a fusion of [[bluegrass music|bluegrass]] and funk.