# Bobby Byrd

Bobby Howard Byrd (August 15, 1934 – September 12, 2007) was an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, bandleader, talent scout, record producer, and musician, who played an integral and important part in the development of soul and funk music in association with James Brown. Byrd began his career in 1952 as member of the gospel group the Gospel Starlighters, who later changed their name to the Avons in 1953 and the Five Royals in 1954, before settling on the name the Flames in 1955 prior to Brown's joining the group; their agent later changed it to The Famous Flames. Byrd was the founder of The Flames, is credited with the discovery of James Brown, and also claimed responsibility for writing most of James Brown's hits.