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JAMES BROWN – (MAY 3, 1933 – DECEMBER 25, 2006) – TIMH

+12 HS
Whoa Nellie's picture
May 3, 2016 at 7:54am
48 Comments

Mr. Dynamite. The Hardest Working Man in Show Business. Soul Brother No. 1. The Godfather of Soul.

James Joseph Brown, Jr. had a lot of nicknames, and he earned every one of them during 73 years of his rags to riches to rags life. The performer who was Michael Jackson’s greatest influence did not have a promising beginning. James was born in a shack in Barnwell, SC, nearly stillborn and in need of resuscitation by his Aunt Honey, who delivered him. His mother left when he was 4, and two years later, his father sent him to live with Honey. She raised him in her Augusta, GA brothel. James scraped by on a variety of odd jobs, literally working for pennies. He was dismissed from school in the 6th grade for “insufficient clothing.” The only thing young James had was a fierce determination to be somebody.

James' first musical experience (besides singing and dancing outside Honey’s place to attract business) was singing in the Cremona Trio at age 13. Three years later, he was in juvenile prison for what his biographers have variously described as petty theft or armed robbery or breaking into a car. Whatever he did, James served three years of an 8 to 16 year sentence. While in prison, he met Bobby Byrd, who had organized a gospel group. James threw his heart and soul into music, and was rewarded with early parole. After getting out, James gave boxing and semi-pro baseball a try, before an injury retired him. Meanwhile, he was singing with Byrd’s group, going by the name Gospel Starlighters when that was the gig, and The Avons, when they got an R&B job. James quickly dominated the R&B show with his acrobatic dance moves, back flips, splits, and crawling from table to table. The group moved to Macon, GA, changed its name to The Flames, and in 1955 recorded “Please, Please, Please” using the name The Famous Flames. The song attracted King Records out of Cincinnati, OH, which signed them to a contract. The re-recording eventually sold a million copies.

The Famous Flames next nine records flopped and the Flames quit and went home. James was given another ballad to try and he went to NYC to record “Try Me” with guitarist Kenny Burrell. The record became James’ first #1 on the R&B charts, and extended his career for two full-length albums and more successful singles. But, there was a huge disconnect between James Brown on records, and James Brown live. His live shows were frenetic showmanship at its finest, and James finally produced Live at The Apollo without his label's support in 1963. It became his first million selling album.

By this time, James had obtained total control of his music from the record company. He moved away from ballads to full-band backed soul music, featuring poly-rhythmic drumming, and nearly as much chanting and shouting as words. In the mid-60s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” “I Got You (I Feel Good)” became pop crossover hits and attracted white audiences. James’ transitioned from soul to funk later in the decade with songs like “Cold Sweat” (1967).

James was known for his ultra-tight backing band, including saxophonist Maceo Parker and trombonist Fred Wesley. But, James was a demanding bandleader. He would randomly shout or point to a player, who was expected to fill with a solo on demand. And, James would dole out fines for mistakes even while doing spin moves on stage. In late 1969, the band mutinied over his conduct and low pay. James replaced them with a Cincinnati group that featured Bootsy and Catfish Collins. They lasted about a year before leaving to join George Clinton’s Parliament/Funkadelic. Fred Wesley and some of the old band were re-hired and named The J.B.s.

With the Isley Brothers

During the 60s, James became an inspiration to African Americans. He stood for pride in his race, self-reliance, hard work, the value of education and non-violence. He is credited with saving Boston from rioting with his televised concert in the wake of MLK’s assassination.

By the mid-70s, James Brown’s light was fading. He stopped evolving musically, and had a run of devastating legal problems over unpaid taxes, drugs, firearms, and assaults. He was back in prison for a couple of years in the late 80s, and lost most of his assets, including three radio stations and his private jet. His back catalogue was also sold.

James experienced a resurgence on the strength of television and movie work. He was in both Blues Brothers movies and Rocky IV. “Living in America” from that movie was his last Top 10 record. All told, he had 16 #1s on the R&B charts. James was part of the rock HOF’s inaugural class inducted in 1986. He is also the most-sampled artist in hip hop history.

In 2004, James was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was in remission by 2006, and he resumed touring. Late in the year, James contracted pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital in Atlanta, GA. He died from heart failure on Christmas morning, 2006.

James Brown: Soul Survivor

 

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