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Disco Music > Disco People Index > In Memory Of > James Brown
James Brown
1933 - 2006
James Brown: (Soul singer)
The Godfather of Soul and self proclaimed "hardest working man in show business," James Brown, died unexpectedly on Christmas Day, 2006 from congestive heart failure due to pneumonia in an Atlanta, Geogria hospital.
While starting in the 1955 with Please, Please, Please for Henry Stone's stable of labels, James Brown also immersed himself into Disco with It's Too Funky In Here and Rapp Payback (Where Iz Moses) along with others such as writing Cross the Tracks by Maceo & The Macks.
The following is from DiscoMusic.com member, Remmicks:
"Disco is James Brown, hip-hop is James Brown, rap is James Brown; you know what I'm saying? You hear all the rappers, 90% of their music is me,"
he told the Associated Press in 2003. (LA TIMES)
---- I'm really pleased to find this quote and to see that even as recently as 2003 James Brown was still proud to reference himself with Disco. This, when so many who did Disco back then now want to say "Who, me? Disco? "
Musically James Brown matters right up there with the few of the very greats. When making a list of the most influencial music makers of what is called the rock n roll era (1955 on) James Brown will likely appear on every TOP 10 list created .
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COMMENTS ON James Brown
You got to be kidding me!!!!!!!!!!! Not one comment on James Brown?? How can this be!! Shame on us all, the GODFATHER has no comments on his passing????? What on earth is wrong with everybody?? Don't we realize who we are talking about here????? I will take a break, and write something that will honor this man properly. Look for it real soon. I'm embarressed for all of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The GODFATHER OF SOUL, THE HARDEST WORKING MAN IN SHOW BUSINESS, THE SEX MACHINE HIMSELF JAMES BROWN was recognized as one of the most influential people in music during the 20th century.It wasn't only his shouting vocals, crazy dancin and unique style that made him an icon; but everything else as well!! He was an amazing singer, songwriter, producer and band leader who crossed all musical boundaries. From gospel to R & B, from Blues to Funk n soul. His funky style left its mark on ROCK, JAZZ, HIP HOP and DISCO. His African sounds provided the rhythm for 60's GO-GO dancing. James was one incredible performer, who first appeared in the scene in the late 50's and early 60's with such an incredible LIVE act, that he was winning over fans nightly. Some believe that SEX MACHINE was the FIRST DISCO RECORD?? In 1967 his COLD SWEAT was the FIRST true FUNK song!! It contained the first DRUM BREAK and harmony that was a single cord change. THE BEGINNING OF DISCO??? It was about this time, when JAMES started not really singing, but not really talking as well. That might be the birth of RAP and eventually HIP HOP!! Lets talk songs for a bit. I don't think I know them all, but here goes, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE(195?), (Do the) MASHED POTATO(T.K.'s HENRY STONE's label in 1960),NIGHTTRAIN(1962),PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG(1965),I GOT YOU(I FEEL GOOD)also in 65. Grammy winner in 1966, then came IT'S A MAN'S MAN'S MAN'S WORLD (1966), oh I forgot OUT OF SIGHT in 1965. I was a young child when JAMES BROWN stole the show, out-performing THE ROLLING STONES in a concert they both performed in. In 1971 JAMES BROWN released GET UP(I FEEL LIKE A SEX MACHINE). Now his music sounded like early DISCO. GET UP OFF THAT THING was pure DISCO. I know that his LIVE AT THE APOLLO album was the first of its kind, and propelled him into SUPERSTAR Status!! How about his many movie appearances? Remember his entrance in to arena during LIVING IN AMERICA in the movie ROCKY IV? Did you know he was a Professional Boxer and a semi-pro baseball pitcher before he ever sang!!! He had a lot of problems with JIM CROW, constantly being harassed by police. That led to a lot of time behind bars. Most of it wasn't deserved, even contrived at times. He did hit a few people, and PAY-O-LA a few deejays, but that was part of his mystique, his persona, his charm!! JAMES never stopped making music, working with AFRIKA BAMBAATAA, KURTIS BLOW and FULL FORCE in the 90's. This century he has sung with WILL YOUNG and JESS STONE. He was to record a duet with ANNIE LENNOX a week after he died, but even the great JAMES BROWN missed that session. On Christmas 2006, he died from heart failure due to pneumonia. His final words, "I'm going away tonight". With that one of the greatest ICONS in musical history was gone. JAMES you were the best I ever saw perform live. Simply the BEST!!!THE GODFATHER OF SOUL!! GOD BLESS YOU!
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