James Brown, The “Godfather”

"Do your hair in different styles, make people notice"
"Die on your feet, don't live on your knees."

James Brown was born on May 3rd, 1933 in Barnwell, South Carolina.  He was named James Joe Brown, Jr.  His father was African American and American Indian.  His mother was African American and Asian.  James was delivered by two of his aunts.  His family was poor and he often would dance for pennies at the local National Guard hall.  He would also embark in other things such as picking cotton and shining shoes to earn money.  His father sold tree tar to a turpentine company.  When he was four years old, his parents split up.  James stayed with his father.  James, his father and his Aunt Minnie eventually moved to Augusta Georgia so his father could find better work.  They moved in with his Aunt Honey.  His father soon left, leaving him with his two Aunts.  James soon met an older kid in the neighborhood who taught him how to play the piano.  He began to love music.  Of course he also enjoyed other things, such as baseball, football and boxing.  At around age 15, James joined a gang.  He was caught stealing a car battery and also was caught breaking into cars.  At 16, he landed in jail.  He stayed for three years.  This was where he met Johnny Terry.  Terry would later become a part of “The Flames”.  While he was in jail he also met Bobby Byrd, although it was only because Byrd came to visit him.  James was released early on the condition he would not return to Augusta.  He moved in with Byrd and his family. 
Byrd and Brown formed their first band, The Flames, and performed all around Georgia.   In 1955 they recorded “Please, Please, Please”.  Record producer Ralph Bass heard the demo to the song when he was passing through Atlanta and immediately signed them to King Records.  “Please, Please, Please” reached number five on the Billboard R & B chart.  In 1957 Little Richard randomly quits rock n’ roll due to religious reasons.  James Brown finished the tour for him.  Several of Little Richards band members joined him on the tour.  Then in 1962 James performs at the Apollo Theatre in New York City.  This was a phenomenal performance.  People were seeing the excitement of his performance.  He put forward his own money to record this performance and it soon went to number 2 on the Billboard album chart.  Brown had begun to reach his goal, not to live in poverty. 

In 1965 he recorded “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag”.  This spawned an entire new era of soul music.  Not only did he change the music of the 60’s but he also directly influenced the music of other decades.  In the 70’s he changed the direction of funk music and rap in the 80’s.  He truly had become an icon.  They said that he would sweat up to seven pounds off in a night during one of his performances.  Not only did he create phenomenal music, but also his performances are unlike any other.  He shakes, spins, drops, jumps and moves his body unlike anyone else.  It is no wonder he gained the status as “The Godfather of Soul”.  In 1986 he is inducted into the rock n’ roll hall of fame, and in 1992 he receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 34th annual Grammy Awards.  Soon after he receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th annual Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Awards.

James is now 70 years old and is still touring!  He has not always been the perfect citizen though.  He has been arrested numerous times.  But the good things he has accomplished by far outweigh the bad.  He is always promoting staying in school.  He even had a hit song titled “Don’t be a Drop Out”.  This emphasizes his range in musical themes.  He dealt with issues of self image, education and even love.  Not only did he promote staying in school but he also helped those less fortunate.  During Thanksgiving, he would deliver Turkeys to families in need and at Christmas time would deliver gifts and food.  Most recently he wrote a song on behalf of school shootings titled, Killings Out and School’s In”.

It is no wonder that James Brown has remained such a prominent influence in the music industry.  He has helped develop music as we know it today.  When will he stop?  No one knows, but even when he does finally end his journey he will forever be remembered for his influences in music.


References

http://members.tripod.com/funkymusic/J_Brown.html

 

http://www.onlinetalent.com/MRBrown_biography.html

 

http://www.funky-stuff.com/jamesbrown/biography.htm

 

http://www.soul-patrol.com/funk/father.htm

 

www.godfatherofsoul.com/ -

 

 

"'Funky' is about the injustices, the things that go wrong, the hungry kids going to school trying to learn. 'Funky' is about what it takes to make people move - take it from the gospel, from the jazz."

 

Upcoming Tour Dates

 

Date

03.28.2003
03.29.2003
03.31.2003
05.02.2003
05.23.2003
05.24.2003
06.15.2003
06.19.2003
06.20.2003
06.21.2003
06.25.2003
06.26.2003
07.11.2003
08.02.2003

City

Grand Prairie, TX
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Venue

NextStage Grand Prairie
Arena Theatre
Travis County Expo Center
Sunfest
Riverfest
Montgomery Jubilee
Bonnaroo Music Festival
Luther Burbank Center
The Mountain Winery
Britt Pavillion
San Diego County Fair
Gila River Casino, Wild Horse
Indian Lookout Country Club
Boardwalk Hall

 

Pictures