Family Tree: James Brown

Though James Brown was the undeniable mastermind of his funk empire, he also gave the solo spotlight to various sidemen and backing singers. A handful found success outside of the Godfather's orbit, including Lyn Collins, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley and the J.B.'s, and Bootsy Collins, who rose to greater fame and solo stardom after leaving Brown to join George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic.