For other persons named James Brown, see James Brown (disambiguation).
James Brown
James Brown (Circa 1965)
Background information
Birth name James Joseph Brown, Jr.
Also known as • The Godfather of Soul
• Soul Brother No. 1
• The Minister of Super Heavy Funk
• The Boss
• The Hardest Working Man In Show Business
Born May 3, 1933
Barnwell, South Carolina, United States
Origin Augusta, Georgia, United States
Died December 25, 2006
Atlanta, Georgia, United States[1]
Genre(s) • R&B
• Soul
• Funk
Occupation(s) • Singer
• Songwriter
• Dancer
• Bandleader
• Record producer
Instrument(s) • Vocals
• Organ/Piano/Keyboard
• Drums
• Guitar
Years active 1956 – 2006
Label(s) King
Polydor
Scotti Bros.
Associated
acts The Famous Flames
The JBs
James Joseph Brown, Jr. (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006), commonly referred to as "The Godfather of Soul", was an American entertainer recognized as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century popular music.
As a prolific singer, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer, Brown was a seminal force in the evolution of gospel and rhythm and blues into soul and funk. He left his mark on numerous other musical genres, including rock, jazz, reggae, disco, dance and electronic music, afrobeat, and hip hop music.
Brown began his professional music career in 1953 and skyrocketed to fame in the late 1950s and early 1960s on the strength of his thrilling live performances and a string of smash hits. In spite of various personal problems and setbacks, he continued to score hits in every decade through the 1980s. In the 1960s and 1970s Brown was a presence in American political affairs, noted especially for his activism on behalf of African Americans and the poor.
Brown was recognized by a plethora of (mostly self-bestowed) titles, including Soul Brother Number One, Mr. Dynamite, the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business, Minister of The New New Super Heavy Funk, Mr. Please Please Please, The Boss, and the best-known, the Godfather of Soul. He was renowned for his shouting vocals, feverish dancing and unique rhythmic style.
Brown was admitted to the Emory Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia
on December 24, 2006 after a dentist visit where he was found to have severe
pneumonia.[9] Brown died the next day on December 25, 2006, Christmas Day,
at around 1:45 a.m. (06:45 UTC) aged 73. [10] The cause of death was heart
failure, according to his agent. [1] James was quoted saying "I'm going
away tonight" sometime before he passed away. He then took three long,
quiet breaths, and closed his eyes.[1] Brown's body rested on the stage of
legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, the site of his debut. A private ceremony
was held in Brown's hometown of Augusta, Georgia and another public ceremony
was officiated by Rev. Al Sharpton, a day later at the James Brown Arena there.
We shall Surely Miss him!
God Bless You, James Brown!
