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Phelps "Catfish" Collins Dies of Cancer

The funk rhythm guitarist played on famous songs, such as "Sex Machine," "Flash Light," and "Superbad."

Cincinnati, OH (August 12, 2010) -- Phelps "Catfish" Collins died of cancer on August 6 in his hometown of Cincinnati.

In 1968, Catfish and his brother, Bootsy, started the band Pacemakers with drummers Frankie "Kash" Waddy and Don "Tiger" Martin. Soon after, they were the main musicians in James Brown's band, the J.B.s.

His career also included playing in Parliament/Funkadelic after leaving James Brown's band in 1971.

Collins is survived by his brother Bootsy, sister Brenda, kids Carmen and Phelps III, and other extended family.

“Catfish was my brother, my father and most of all my best friend,” said Bootsy in a press release. “Catfish was a different kind of human being, he only wanted love and peace in every situation. To me Catfish was the one that inspired me to be at one with all that is, which is everybody and everything that was created by the One. Catfish taught me that to be love meant more than just to talk about it. Sure, we all may have a great interpretation of love in our everyday language that people understand, but even a child that don't understand a word knows when he is in the presence of love with no words mentioned. That is who the Catfish was and still is. He was that word that did not have to speak in order for you to understand the depth of his being, his soul, his peace and joy."

Watch the "Catfish" dedication video here.

Source: Press Release