The AP, via Breitbart, reports that famous singer James Brown died earlier today.
Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said.
The exact cause of death is – as of yet – unknown.
Brown was (and still is) a legend of the music business:
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.”
His hit singles include such classics as “Out of Sight,” “(Get Up I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine,” “I Got You (I Feel Good)” and “Say It Out Loud _ I’m Black and I’m Proud,” a landmark 1968 statement of racial pride.
“I clearly remember we were calling ourselves colored, and after the song, we were calling ourselves black,” Brown said in a 2003 Associated Press interview. “The song showed even people to that day that lyrics and music and a song can change society.”
And that on Christmas Day.
UPDATE
Also read the following posts:
Richard Cranium at The All Spin Zone. Quote:
His signature persona, the “Godfather of Soul� is an understatement. Without Brown’s groundbreaking (and racial barrier-breaking) musical talent, I do think that the racial divide in America would be even wider than it is today. I’m not even sure that the civil rights movement of the mid-60’s would have had the legs it did had not people like Brown, Little Richard, etc. been pop music icons. They brought a culture, a beat, and an attitude to WASPy American kids that caused an entire generation of non-black kids to look beyond their own narrow cultural roots.
Read his entire tribute.
David Scott Anderson at In Search of Utopia. Excerpt:
James Brown was more than a talented singer and performer. He was an icon. He was a symbol. As a child in the early 1960’s, I remember watching JB with pride. He was a black man who was not afraid of his sexuality. He was proud, dynamic and forceful at a time when Black men were not supposed to be. He was also a powerful model of success, the first major black star to have his own plane, and he was ostentatious… Like many of my generation, I remember sitting in front of the television with my family and watching Brown on one of his many Ed Sullivan or American Bandstand appearances. Brown was as much of a source of pride for blacks as Martin Luther King, and probably had MORE influence on the youth. From clothing styles to hairstyles… James Brown’s influence was obvious on anyone who walked down an urban street in the 60’s.
Many of today’s artist owe their heritage to Brown. Anyone who has watched Michael Jackson or Prince on stage, and is old enough to remember Brown, can see his influence. His music became anthems…. Sad that the above video cuts off before he finished the song… Man’s world is a classic, and that appearance on American Bandstand is a classic.
With some great vids.
African American Opinion. Some great vids, pics and more.
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