At a point, the band behind BB and BB singing is part of the show.
“What the #@$# is James talking about?”
“I don’t know but we’re getting paid, keep singing,”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLVmw81qDSA
Funny thing is, the way I heard it, the screams, wails, etc. in concert were fines being levied on the musicians for being too loud, out of step, etc.
Fred Cole eventually got tired of James' rules and quit for George Clinton. James would give them the suits but then they'd have to pay for the dry cleaning every show which ate up the gig money they were paid.