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| James Brown Is Dead  Legendary James Brown, "Godfather of Soul", died Monday morning, December 25 in Atlanta. He was 73. Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia on Sunday. James Brown was one of the most influential Afroamerican musicians - singer, songwriter and even a political figure in the "roaring sixties" . His name is connected with evolution of rhythm-and-blues into soul music. He was born as James Joseph Brown, Jr. May 3, 1933. He was twenty when his musical life began. His first successes are connected with "The Famous Flames". Their hit "Please, Please, Please" (1956) became a million-selling single. The next great success was LP Live at the Apollo in 1962.The middle and the end of the 1960s was the period of his highest popularity. This period began with "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)", two hits from 1965 and continued with politically colored "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" (1968) and "I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door I'll Get It Myself)" (1970). His style of singing and music of his group influenced Sly & The Family Stone, Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, Edwin Starr, Temptations and many other musicians. The JB's became the most important Brown's backing band in the 1970-s. With this group he released his famous single "(Get Up I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine" (1970) and made very successful albums for Polydor Records. He continued very actively working and touring in the 1980-s and 1990-s. The 1991 four-CD box set Star Time spans his four-decade career. In 2002 James Brown released the album The Next Step, which features the single "Killing is Out, School is In." In 2006 Brown continued his "Seven Decades Of Funk World Tour", performing all over the world. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |