Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus

George Clinton

A cornerstone figure in funk music, George Clinton went from singing a capella in a barbershop to chasing Motown glory in Detroit with his band, The Parliaments. But the introduction of LSD took him to the next level, as he built a funk empire with outrageous costumes, frequent band-name changes and an occasional bit of nudity. From his first hit, "(I Wanna) Testify," to the smash anthem "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk)," Clinton forged a lasting sound that went on to fuel a whole new genre: hip-hop.

Rick James (Part One)

Rick James (Part Two)

In the mid-‘80s, funk star Rick James was riding high on top of the music world. But between his rivalry with Prince, crusade against MTV and run-ins with the law, he fell further under the influence of cocaine. Even a shot at a comeback, when M.C. Hammer sampled his greatest hit, couldn't pull James back from the brink.

Bootsy Collins

One of music's most notable bassists, Bootsy Collins went from rocking out in Ohio to working with the notorious James Brown, who taught him "The One" funk basics. But it was when Bootsy met George Clinton that he created his larger-than-life persona and became the backbone of the P-Funk empire. As the frontman of Bootsy's Rubber Band, he quickly achieved solo stardom before realizing that what he loved most about music was the joy of just being part of a group.

James Brown (Part One)

James Brown was renowned for his infectious voice and unbelievable dance moves, earning a reputation as the hardest-working man in show business. Between his womanizing ways, perfectionist attitude and daredevil style, he built an empire that went far beyond entertaining, often alienating musicians and business partners along the way.

James Brown (Part Two)

At the height of his fame, James Brown reigned supreme as the king of funk; by the 1980s, the work ethic that propelled him to superstardom began to take its toll.

Morris Day and The Time

One of the biggest characters in funk history, Morris Day was an aspiring drummer who became the embodiment of cool. The iconic frontman might have had a different life altogether, if not for childhood friend Prince Rogers Nelson, but he made a Faustian bargain with the future superstar, and the result was Morris Day and The Time. Though the band skyrocketed to the top with hits like "Jungle Love," resentment festered and the rivalry between the two singers reached a breaking point. Years later, a reunion show at Prince's Minnesota mansion brought The Time back to the stage, allowing Day and Prince to make peace before the latter's untimely death.

Betty Davis

The queen of funk, Betty Davis should have been a superstar. A small-town Southern girl, she exploded onto the music scene in the early '70s after launching a career in New York as a fashion model and playing muse to Miles Davis, and her brief marriage to the jazz legend helped launch her career as a performer.