William Earl “Bootsy” Collins is a household name, a musical talent, most notably as a legendary bass guitarist who played a vital role
in shaping the era of funk music in the 1960s and beyond. Born in Cincinnati, Collins has made heart-throbbing music with some of
the greatest, including James Brown, Little Richard, Parliament, and George Clinton/Funkadelic. Throughout his life, Collins has
uplifted the city of Cincinnati with much pride and support, and has become a cultural icon with his distinctive rock funk
persona--consisting of his array of notable bass guitars, glittered top hats, and (literally) star-studded eyeglasses. Not only has Bootsy
worked with some of the greatest; he has inspired some of the greatest. In 1997 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
as a member of Parliament/Funkadelic.
Philip Paul was the studio drummer for King Records from 1952 to 1965. He played drums on over 350 recordings with artists such as
Hank Ballard, Milt Buckner, Freddie King, Grandpa Jones, Cowboy Copas, and Bonnie Lou. Paul created the beat for "The Twist" and
was on the original recording by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, Little Willie John's "Fever", Charles Brown's "Please Come Home for
Christmas", Tiny Bradshaw's "Train Kept a Rollin'", Wynonie Harris' "Good Rockin' Tonight" and Freddie King’s hits "Hide Away" and "Tore
Down". In 2009, he was honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of their "From Songwriters to Soundmen: The People
Behind the Hits". In 2009, he was honored with the Ohio Heritage Fellowship, Ohio's highest honor for traditional artists and in 2002, he
was honored by the Cincinnati Enquirer with a Lifetime CAMMY Award for his contributions to the music and culture of the city.
Otis Williams signed to King Record’s subsidiary label, Rockin' Records and in 1954 recorded "Hearts of Stone" that reached #1 on the
R&B charts and was awarded a gold disc. The group Otis Williams and the Charms had further R&B chart success with "Ling, Ting,
Tong" and "Two Hearts”. In 1955, Williams recorded as a solo artist for DeLuxe, and had another big hit in 1956 with "Ivory Tower".
Williams also co-produced and arranged Hank Ballard's original version of "The Twist", and helped arrange Little Willie John's "Fever".
Williams returned to recording after time in the Army and in 1965. In 1971 he recorded a country music album Otis Williams and the
Midnight Cowboys, claiming a fictitious all-black country band that was really some Nashville musicians including Elvis Presley's old
guitarist Scotty Moore. In 2001, being inducted to the United in Group Harmony Association Hall of Fame.
