CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Chattanooga native made global waves with nothing but sticks, rhythm, and soul.
Miller Park is now permanently honored with a plaque in his honor.
Clyde Stubblefield, the original Funky Drummer, is one of the most sampled musicians in history, his iconic beats appearing on over 1,500 recordings.
From LL Cool J to Ed Sheeran, his grooves shaped the sound of funk, hip hop, and pop, laying a foundation for artists across generations.
We heard from Clyde Stubblefield’s great Nephew about what this plaque means to him.
Stubblefield found rhythm in everything, from the clatter of trains to the hum of grain elevators, and turned that inspiration into percussive art.
He first got his start with local R&B groups in Chattanooga before rising to fame playing alongside legends like James Brown and Otis Redding.
From Tennessee trains to timeless tracks, Clyde Stubblefield’s beat goes on.
