The legendary drummer Clyde Stubblefield is seeking royalties for his much-sampled beats, which have been re-used by thousands of musicians.  Stubblefield’s influential drumming style is considered a crucial aspect of the music history of modern rock, funk, rap, and hip-hop.

Stubblefield was the drummer for James Brown on his hit “Funky Drummer,” (1970).  His drum parts for this song are sometimes considered the most-sampled sequences of any musical sequences.  His struggle for recognition and financial compensation will be significant for future drummers and other accompanying musicians.

Read about Stubblefield’s influential drumming in the New York Times.  Recent stories have also appeared in NPR and various drumming publications.