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. If Brown s claim to the invention of soul can be challenged by fans of Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, then his rights to the genres of rap, disco and funk are beyond question. He was to rhythm and dance music what Dylan was to lyrics: the unchallenged popular innovator.
James presented obviously the best grooves, rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy once told the Associated Press. To this day, there has been no one near as funky. No one s coming even close.
Brown s classic singles include Papa s Got a Brand New Bag, Out of Sight, (Get Up I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine, I Got You (I Feel Good) and Say It Loud I m Black and I m Proud, a landmark 1968 statement of racial pride. Few men can rival the excellence of Mr. James Brown.
Yes his life had its ups and downs but his music towered all over America. White America tried to ignore him but his music was a class of its own. In time America realized that Mr.
Brown belonged to all of us.
lol who cares? just another celebrity dies and he like steve irwin will be forgotten about.
Here is an excerpt of an editorial that appeared in Billboard Magazine in 1968 - days following the riots that occured in the wake of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King:
Hail, James Brown
Billboard Magazine Editorial
April 27, 1968
Amid the looting and rioting in Washington., Brown came to the people and told a live television audience, Get off the streets.
Go home. Nothing can be gained by looting and burning, only sorrow and misery.
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