Bobby Howard Byrd (August 15, 1934 – September 12, 2007) was an American
R&B/
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 with 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 actual founder of The Flames and is credited with the discovery of
James Brown. As group founder, and one of the longest-serving members of the group, Byrd was inducted into the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame posthumously in 2012. Byrd was also a 1998 recipient of the
Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award. Byrd helped to inspire the musical aspirations of James Brown, who launched his career with Byrd.