
The J.B.'s (sometimes punctuated The JB's or The J.B.s) was James Brown's band from 1970 through the early 1980s. On records the band was sometimes billed under alternate names such as Fred Wesley and the JBs, The James Brown Soul Train, Maceo and the Macks, A.A.B.B., Fred Wesley and the New JBs, The First Family, and The Last Word. In addition to backing Brown, the J.B.'s played behind Bobby Byrd, Lyn Collins, and other singers associated with the James Brown Revue, and performed and recorded as a self-contained group. In 2015, they were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but failed to be inducted and can be considered for Musical Excellence in the future. They have been eligible since 1995.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played tracks from the backing band on his radio programmes in the 80's, but didn't seem to play further material from the group in the 00's and beyond on his shows. After his death in 2004, it was later found out that he had an album from Maceo (short for Maceo & The Macks) in his Record Collection: M, as well as the J.B.'s Hustle With Speed in his Record Collection: J.
Shows Played[]
- 17 February 1981: The Grunt (7") King
- 27 January 1987: The Grunt (7") King
- 20 July 1987: All Aboard The Soul Funky Train (LP - Hustle With Speed) People
- 31 July 1987 (Radio Bremen): All Aboard The Soul Funky Train (album - Hustle With Speed) People
- 05 October 1987: Givin' Up Food For Funk (Part 1) (LP - James Brown's Funky People) Polydor
- 13 October 1987: Gimme Some More (v/a LP - James Brown's Funky People) PolyGram
- 14 October 1987: Pass The Peas (LP - Pass The Peas) People
- 18 March 1994: ‘Pass The Peas (LP - James Brown's Funky People)’ (Polydor)
- Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s
- Peel January 1984: If You Don't Get It The First Time, Back Up & Try It Again, Parrty (album - Damn Right I Am Somebody) Polydor
- Maceo & The Macks
- 11 May 1987: Cross The Track (We Better Go Back) (12") Urban
- 13 May 1987: 'Cross The Track (We Better Go Back) (7") Urban
- 20 May 1987: 'Cross The Track (We Better Go) (12") Urban
- 22 May 1987 (BFBS): 'Cross The Track (We Better Go Back) (12") Urban
- 04 June 1987 (Rockradio): 'Cross The Track (We Better Go Back) (7 inch)' (Urban)
- 09 June 1987: 'Cross The Track (We Better Go Back) (7 inch)' (Urban)