AUGUSTA - There were two sides to the Godfather of Soul, and few places knew that as well as his hometown of Augusta.
As a child here, James Brown would dance on street corners for pocket change to feed his family - and swipe valuables from cars. He dropped out of school in the fifth grade, but urged kids not to make the same mistake with his 1966 hit "Don't Be a Drop-Out.
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And though he had multiple run-ins with the law, he also left an indelible legacy of public service. His annual toy drive gave Christmas gifts to hundreds of needy children, and his yearly turkey giveaway provided more than 1,000 impoverished families with a Thanksgiving dinner.
"It's mindboggling to think about his impact on the world of music.
But I think his legacy of giving in Augusta will continue to be giving for years to come," said Augusta's mayor, Deke Copenhaver. "He never forgot where he came from and he loved the city unconditionally."
Augusta's most famous resident died Christmas morning at the age of 73, leaving residents to consider his impact on a town otherwise known for hosting the Masters golf tournament each year.
There was little question that Brown's persona gave him incredible influence on the city's race relations.
Much has been written about Brown's efforts to quell the riots that erupted across the nation after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
The singer convinced concert organizers to televise his show nationwide in the hopes of keeping angry mobs at home.
But fewer know that two years later he helped blunt a similar crisis in his hometown. After a black teen was beaten to death in the county jail, Brown took to the airwaves to warn listeners against using violence.
He also brought a dose of Hollywood to the east Georgia town. Fred Acree, a 46-year-old who grew up in Augusta, remembers looking forward to Brown's 99 cent back-to-school concerts each year.
"It was always packed with kids having a great time," said Acree, who traveled with his family from his North Carolina home to pay homage to the star.
And Augusta loved him back.
The city renamed a downtown boulevard after the singer a decade ago and last year dedicated a statue in his honor. His memorial service Saturday will take place in the 8,500-seat civic center named after him earlier this year.
Frank Copsidas, the performer's personal manager, said Brown's family plans to continue its charitable giving. His estate is underwriting a foundation aimed at teaching music education. A recording of Brown's last performance at the Apollo Theater in New York in November 2003 will be released in March with the proceeds going to the James Brown Music Education Foundation.
To fans like Richard Jones, a 66-year-old Augusta native who visited Brown's statue Wednesday to honor the singer, Brown's impact will never be forgotten.
"He put Augusta on the map," he said. "He is the soul of this city.
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