James Brown -
“Say it loud - I’m black and I’m proud!”
The self proclaimed Godfather of Soul was born on
3 May, 1933 in South Carolina and grew up in Augusta, Georgia. He
passed away on 24 December, 2006.
His first single - “Please, Please, Please"
(as James Brown and the Famous Flames) - was released in 1956 and
was a top 5 hit on the R&B chart but failed to make the U.S.
Top 100. National success came almost ten years later in 1965 with
“Papa’s got a Brand New Bag” and “I Got
You (I Feel Good)”.
He continued to have hits throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s,
as well as becoming probably the biggest influence on the R&B
scene and in nearly all musical genres. He was inducted into the
Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986 and received Lifetime Achievement
Awards at the 34th Grammies in 1992 and the fourth Rhythm and Blues
Foundation Poineer Awards in 1993.
At the time of his death he was living in South Carolina with his
fourth wife and was still performing with R&B artists. His influence
on artists across the world continues.
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