He and his brother, Melvin Parker, joined James Brown in 1964; Brown, in his book, says that he originally wanted Melvin as his drummer but agreed to take Maceo under his wing as part of the deal. Maceo, Melvin and a few of Brown's band members left to found Maceo & All the Kings Men which toured for two years. In 1973 Maceo returned to James Brown's band. In 1975 Maceo and some of Brown's band members left to join George Clinton's Parliament.
Maceo once again joined James Brown from 1984 to 1988. In the 1990s he finally embraced a successful solo career. He has released seven solo records and plays 250 tour dates per year.
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Made By Maceo | esc Records / What are Records |
| 2000 | dial: MACEO | esc Records / What are Records |
| 1998 | Funk Overload | esc Records / What are Records |
| 1994 | Maceo (Soundtrack) | Minor Music (Europe Only) |
| 1993 | Southern Exposure | Jive Novus / Minor Music |
| 1992 | Life on Planet Groove | Verve / Minor Music |
| 1991 | Mo' Roots | Verve / Minor Music |
| 1990 | Roots Revisited | Verve / Minor Music |
| 1989 | For All the King's Men | 4th & Broadway |
| 1975 | Funky Music Machine | House of Fox / El Cello |
| 1974 | Us People | PVine (Japanese Import only at this time) |
| 1970 | Doing Their Own Thing | House of the Fox / Charly |