James Brown

James Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American R&B and funk singer who was the leading member of The Famous Flames.[1] He was particularly popular in the 60s and 70s and known as the "Godfather of Soul".

He was born in Barnwell, South Carolina and grew up in Augusta, Georgia. Brown was arrested by police on many occasions. When he was 16, he was convicted of armed robbery, for which he spent three years in a youth detention center.[2] His later convictions include assaults.

James Brown is considered the originator of funk music, with the song Papa's Got A Brand New Bag being called the first funk song. His stage performance and dancing were inspirations for Michael Jackson, Prince and Bruno Mars.[1]

Four of Brown's albums were in Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Brown's most well known songs are "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine".

In 2006, Brown died of pneumonia and heart disease in Atlanta. There was a public memorial service at Apollo Theater. Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Prince were there. In 1993 Brown was in The Simpsons episode Bart's Inner Child.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hear James Brown (music and interviews) on the Pop Chronicles (1969).
  2. ↑ Rolling Stone
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