Chattanooga’s own Clyde Stubblefield, the legendary “Funky Drummer” whose beats are the invisible backbone of countless recordings worldwide, was permanently honored on July 17 with a Tennessee Music Pathways marker unveiled in Miller Park.
The plaque serves as a lasting memorial to a self-taught musical pioneer who transformed the sounds of his hometown into a global rhythmic phenomenon.
Stubblefield, who passed away in 2017, is widely recognized as one of the most sampled musicians in history, with his iconic drum patterns appearing on over 1,500 tracks. From the foundational grooves of funk to the intricate soundscapes of hip-hop and pop, his influence stretches across generations and genres, shaping the work of artists such as LL Cool J, N.W.A., Public Enemy, Run-DMC, Ed Sheeran, Madonna, and Sinéad O’Connor, among many others.
His most famous contribution, the break from James Brown’s 1970 single Funky Drummer, remains a cornerstone of sampling.
Marcus Carlisle, Stubblefield’s great-nephew, spoke emotionally at the ceremony, expressing profound gratitude on behalf of the family.
“I just want to say, on behalf of my family, thanks to all those involved that put all this together to make this become a reality,” Carlisle stated. “Because in his own words, he never expected none of this to happen, if you talked to him and he tell his story, from leaving here to going to Macon in order to play the drums.”
Born Clyde Austin Stubblefield on April 18, 1943, in Chattanooga, his musical journey began not in a classroom, but by mimicking the industrial rhythms he heard around him–the clatter of trains, the hum of grain elevators. These everyday sounds fueled his innate sense of rhythm, which he honed into a percussive art form. He often said he could play any drum pattern he could hum.
Stubblefield started his professional career with local R&B groups in Chattanooga, including The Blue Shufflers, Inclines, and Cascades. His talent soon led him to Macon, Georgia, where he toured with Otis Redding and played with guitarist Eddie Kirkland, before joining James Brown’s band in 1965. For six pivotal years (1965-1970), Stubblefield’s syncopated drum patterns, particularly on hits like Cold Sweat and I Got the Feelin’, helped define the sound of funk.
After his time with Brown, Stubblefield settled in Madison, Wisconsin, where he remained a beloved figure in the local music scene, performing extensively in jazz and blues circles and serving as the house drummer for National Public Radio’s Whad’Ya Know.
His enduring legacy has earned him recognition as one of the greatest drummers of all time, and in 2017, he received an honorary degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The Tennessee Music Pathways initiative, which connects visitors to the state’s rich musical heritage through an online travel guide and physical markers, proudly added Stubblefield to its distinguished list. This statewide driving tour spans seven genres of music–blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll–and identifies and preserves unique musical history across all 95 counties.
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, himself a drummer, emphasized the significance of the tribute.
“As a drummer myself, it is a true honor to celebrate the legacy of Clyde Stubblefield,” Mayor Kelly remarked. “Known around the world as the ‘Funky Drummer,’ Clyde’s rhythm powered hits with James Brown and became the heartbeat of countless songs across genres. He is the most sampled drummer in history, and for good reason. Now we honor Clyde’s extraordinary contribution to music right in the heart of Chattanooga. Long live the funk!” Efforts are also underway to create a documentary about Stubblefield’s immense and often uncredited influence on modern drummers, further solidifying his place in music history.