Funk Veteran Bootsy Collins Retires His Bass

Thu Jan 3, 2019 01:38AM

Funk icon Bootsy Collins has become the latest music veteran to announce his retirement from the stage.

In a New Year´s post on his Facebook page, the former Parliament-Funkadelic star has informed fans he won´t be playing bass in front of them anymore.

"(The) time has come for me to tell all our Funkateers that I will not be playing bass in concert anymore," he writes. "I have decided to become a coach for up and coming musicians. I know you are disappointed - just think for a moment how I feel."

Collins reveals he´s following his doctor´s orders after learning he is battling inner ear and right hand issues: "I had to make up my mind, so I did... I know you got questions, and I don´t have answers. Maybe one day, you too will understand."

But Collins isn´t retiring completely - he plans to continue recording new material, and assures fans 2019 will be "the funkiest year of them all".

William Earl ´Bootsy´ Collins, 67, kicked off his career in the early 1970s with soul legend James Brown, before becoming George Clinton´s wingman in Parliament-Funkadelic.