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R.I.P. James Brown

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Mon Dec 25, 2006 at 02:42:51 AM EST
Tags: James Brown (all tags)
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James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul" has died at 73.

Along with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and a handful of others, Brown was one of the major musical influences of the past 50 years. At least one generation idolized him, and sometimes openly copied him. His rapid-footed dancing inspired Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson among others. Songs such as David Bowie's "Fame," Prince's "Kiss," George Clinton's "Atomic Dog" and Sly and the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song" were clearly based on Brown's rhythms and vocal style.

...Born in poverty in Barnwell, S.C., in 1933, he was abandoned as a 4-year-old to the care of relatives and friends and grew up on the streets of Augusta, Ga., in an "ill-repute area," as he once called it. There he learned to wheel and deal.

"I wanted to be somebody," Brown said.

He was somebody. Rest in peace, James Brown.

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    R.I.P. James Brown | 8 comments (8 topical)

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    James Brown 1933-2006 (none / 0) (#1)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Mon Dec 25, 2006 at 07:28:18 AM EST
    The Godfather of Soul...yes he brought the funk but just as important as his indelible musical influences were his contributions to the social consciousness of the 1960s. "Say It Loud"