Bobby Byrd

Singer-songwriter Bobby Byrd is best known for his work with fellow soul singer James Brown. He started his career in music performing with Gospel Starlighters before forming The Famous Flames with the then unknown singer James Brown in 1955. When Brown became more famous than the rest of the group and departed in search of a solo career, they re-branded to Byrd's Drops of Joy but struggled to maintain their fans without Brown. It was only with Brown's return to the group that they once again enjoyed success. They went on to release 12 albums and win several awards and inductions including the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1973, Byrd and Brown went their separate ways, with Byrd himself embarking on a solo career. His most successful solo releases were 1993's 'On the Move (I Can't Get Enough)' and 2002's 'Live in the Stufenbau'. He reunited with Brown in 1992 for a one-off concert and they collaborated on the track 'Killing Is Out, School Is In' which appeared on Brown's final album 'The Next Step' (2002). In December 2006, Byrd performed 'Sex Machine' at Brown's funeral. Byrd himself passed away just nine months later at the age of 73.