James Brown

James Brown - American Icon (1933 - 2006)

James Brown was and will always be a true legend in every sense of the word. He will be missed by millions but his influence on music, culture and the countless number of lives he touched will carry on for decades to come.

Mr. James Brown's dynamic showmanship remains timeless. His style has been celebrated throughout generations. As one of the most sampled artists to date, he has more honors attached to his name than any other performer in music history.

Mr. Brown is a three-figure hitmaker with 114 total entries on Billboard's R&B singles charts and 94 that made the Hot 100 singles chart. Seventeen of these hits reached number one, a feat topped only by Stevie Wonder and Louis Jordan. Over the years, while maintaining a grueling touring schedule, James Brown amassed 800 songs in his repertoire. With his signature one-three beat, James Brown directly influenced the evolutionary beat of soul music in the Sixties, funk music in the Seventies and rap music in the Eighties. I

James Brown's life history contains many triumphs over adversity.

He was born in South Carolina during the Great Depression. As a child, he picked cotton, danced for spare change and shined shoes. At 16, he landed in reform school for three years where he met Bobby Byrd, leader of a gospel group and life-long friend. Mr. Brown tried semi-pro boxing and baseball, but a leg injury put him on the path to pursue music as a career.

James Brown joined his friend Bobby Byrd in a group that sang gospel in and around Toccoa, Georgia. After seeing Hank Ballard and Fats Domino in a blues revue, Byrd and Brown were lured into the realm of secular music. Naming their band the Flames, they formed a tightly knit ensemble of singers, dancers and multi-instrumentalists.

Mr. Brown instilled the essence of R&B with recordings under the King and Federal labels throughout the Sixties. With albums such as "Live at the Apollo", Mr. Brown captured the energy and hysteria generated by his live performances. People who had never seen him in person could hear and feel the excitement of him screaming and hollering until his back was soaking wet. Convinced that such an album would not sell, King Records refused to produce the album.

Mr. Brown put up his own money and recorded the performance at the Apollo Theater in 1962.

Released nearly a year later, "Live At The Apollo" went to Number Two on Billboard's album chart, an unprecedented feat for a live R&B album. Radio stations played it with a frequency formerly reserved for singles, and attendance at Mr. Brown's concerts mushroomed.

As the leader of the James Brown Revue (The J.B.'s), James Brown sweated off up to seven pounds a night through captivating performances. His furious regimen of spins, drops, and shtick such as feigning a heart attack thrilled crowds. The ritual donning of capes and skintight rhythm & blues became part of his personal trademark as a performer.

Mr. Brown's transformation of gospel fervor into the taut, explosive intensity of rhythm & blues, combined with precision choreography and dynamic showmanship, defined the direction of black music from the release of his first R&B hit ("Please Please Please") in 1956. In 1965, Brown scored his first Top 10 pop single with "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag," and the hits kept coming one after another for the next decade.

The gospel and blues structure of his early records gave way to rhythmic vocals and a complex funk sound. His innovations during this period had a profound influence on popular music styles around the world.

James Brown's status as "The Godfather of Soul" remains undiminished. He continues to influence new generations of fans who often hear his funk grooves as samples on rap recordings. A charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Mr. Brown added to his collection of accolades when he received a lifetime achievement Grammy Award in 1992. James Brown passed away December 25, 2006.

THE BANDS:

James Brown has had the privilege of working with numerous talented people over the years. Many played in the bands that supported Mr. Brown throughout his career.

The Famous Flames Mr. Brown’s first band was the Gospel Starlighters, a quartet led by his friend Bobby Byrd. In 1952, the Starlighters had a raw southern gospel style. Their style later evolved into a Rythm and Blues sound. With this transition, they took on a new name - the Avons.

Under the influence of such Rock and Roll acts as Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, Fats Domino, and others, the group became known as the Flames.The band members that made up the Flames included James Brown, Bobby Byrd, Sylvester Keels, Doyle Oglesby, Fred Pullman, Nash Knox, Roy Scott and (later on guitar) Nafloyd Scott. Each band member sang, danced, and played an instrument.

For the original Flames lineup of 1956, James Brown played the drums, while Bobby Byrd played the piano. Many members came and left the band over the years, but Bobby Byrd remained Mr. Brown's sideman for the next three decades. Federal Records signed the Famous Flames (as they were now called) in 1956. It was under the Federal label that “Please Please Please” became their first hit single, and sold over a million copies. James Brown was now considered to be the leader of the group.

In 1957, after the surprise retirement of Little Richard, James Brown played with the Upsetters and the Dominions. James Brown filled Little Richard’s remaining bookings and recruited new band members from the Dominions.

Although James Brown and the Flames continued to make records for Federal, they did not top the charts again for three years. In 1958, “Try Me” became the band’s first number one R&B record. In 1962, James Brown recorded “Live at the Apollo”, which reached number two on the R&B charts. As James Brown evolved as a musician, his gospel and blues style gave way to the creation of a new musical genre - funk. Weakened by frequent break-ups and style changes, the Famous Flames and James Brown performed together for the last time in 1964.

The JB’s To push his funk sound to new level, James Brown formed the James Brown Revue - a performing group complete with dancers, emcee and a show-stopping stage band called the J.B.’s.Talented horn players, such as Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker, formed the backbone of the band.

With the addition of Bootsy Collins and other young musicians, James Brown’s band developed a new rhythmic bass sound creating the dynamic music that brought James Brown to the R&B forefront.

The J.B.’s created new arrangements of James Brown songs. For example, “Give It Up, Turn It Loose” evolved into “Get Up I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine.” The fans loved the new sound, which formed the legend behind the magic of the J.B.’s.

The list of influential musicians that have worked with James Brown is extensive. After leaving the James Brown band, many band members have moved on to obtain their own success in the music business. For example, Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker left the J.B.’s to join Parliament/Funkedelic.

The women who sang in the James Brown Revue formed the James Brown Original Funky Divas and released records of their own throughout the 60’s and 70’s.

Others artists have recorded albums and singles produced and written by James Brown. The most notable of these artists include Fred Wesley & The JB's, Maceo & The Macks, Bobby Byrd, and Lyn Collins. Other artists produced by James Brown include Vicki Anderson, Hank Ballard, Yvonne Fair, James Crawford, Marva Whitney, The Dapps, Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis and the Above Average Black Band (A.A.B.B.).
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September Songs - Part 1

by Ludovico Granvassu
September 27, 2022

September is a rather auspicious month musically, as you will hear through a playlist of songs inspired by September... or by things associated with the month of September... or featuring musicians born in September.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 James Brown “September Song" Soul on Top (Verve) 0:16 Host talks 5:15 Freda Payne “Sweet September" After the Lights Go Down Low and Much More!!! (Impulse!) 6:59 Host talks ...

1,217

Building a Jazz Library

Classic Funk

by Chris M. Slawecki
October 4, 2015

This article was originally published in August 2005. In rendering his decision in a 1964 obscenity trial, Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart wrote: “I shall not today attempt to further define [pornography]... but I know it when I see it." You really can't define the Funk, either. In a typical four/four stomp, Funk comes down hard “on the one," sure. And Funk often uses such instruments as guitars and keyboards more rhythmically (like percussion) than melodically. ...

Book Review

RJ Smith: The One - The Life and Music of James Brown

by Jeff Dayton-Johnson
June 26, 2012

The One: The Life and Music of James Brown RJ SmithHardcover, 464 pagesISBN: 978-1592406579Gotham Books2012James Brown (1933-2006): singer, bandleader, composer, impresario, self-made man-- Amiri Baraka called him “our number one black poet." Brown describes himself, in the pages of RJ Smith's biography, as “75 percent businessman and 25 percent entertainer." Readers may quibble with the percentages, but if by “business," Brown referred to “show business," then it is ...

289

Album Review

James Brown: Soul On Top

Read "Soul On Top" reviewed by David Rickert

by David Rickert
July 22, 2004

First off, don't be too quick to dismiss this album. James Brown gets his jazz credentials honestly, copping his stage antics from Louis Jordan and sprinkling his early releases with standards associated with the likes of Billy Eckstine and Nat King Cole. And with a band led by expert drummer Louis Bellson and arrangements by Oliver Nelson, certainly the ingredients are there for an interesting ride.

However, calling this James Brown's jazz album requires quite a stretch of the imagination, ...

226

Album Review

James Brown: Foundations of Funk

by Steve Hanson
May 1, 2000

James Brown initially invented step and repeatae funk with 'Please Please Please' (not present here). Even the title summed it up. Bang. Bang. Bang. Which is pretty much how 'Cold Sweat', 'It's a New Day' and 'Ain't It Funky Now' go on this glorious compilation. But not in straight 4/4 time obviously, these tracks are performed in the key signature of rutting animals.

The band legendarily followed JB's movements as a cue and used his spectacular routines as rhythm inspiration. ...

Recording

Toronto Guitarist-Composer James Brown Returns To Recording After Decade-Plus Break On "Song Within The Story," Due March 18 On NGP Records

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity
February 19, 2022

Guitarist-composer James Brown returns from a 13-year recording hiatus with the fetching Song Within the Story, set for a March 18 release on NGP Records. Brown’s fourth album, and his first since 2009’s Sevendaze, finds him helming his Toronto-based working trio featuring bassist Clark Johnston and drummer Anthony Michelli. Respected tenor saxophonist Mike Murley joins the band on three of the album’s 10 tracks—eight of which are original compositions that document Brown’s ongoing intermarriage of jazz and classical music, while ...
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Recording

Victoria Blythe Releases James Brown's I Feel Good On New Five-song Ep

Source: Victoria Blythe
August 1, 2014

On August 1, Universal Pictures released the James Brown biopic “Get on Up.” In recognition of this event and for airplay in connection with it, acclaimed SF Bay Area singer Victoria Blythe released her new cover of James Brown's “I Got You (I Feel Good)”. Blythe slows down and heats up Brown's classic track with just her sultry, nimble voice, dressed in nothing but a stand-up bass. Blythe is releasing the track as a download only, as part of a ...
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Award / Grant

Mingus, McCartney, James Brown, AC/DC Among 27 Recordings to Enter Grammy Hall of Fame 2013

Source: HypeBot
November 28, 2012

The Recording Academy has announced the newest additions to its Grammy Hall Of Fame collection of recordings. With 27 new titles, the list currently totals 933 and is on display at the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live. 2013 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame inductees range from AC/DC's Back In Black album to Frank Sinatra's recording of “Theme from New York, New York." Also added are Billy Joel's “Piano Man," Paul McCartney & Wings' album Band On The Run, Ray Charles' “Hit ...
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Event

International All-Star Lineup Pays Tribute to a Legend in Still Black, Still Proud: An African Tribute to James Brown at the Annenberg Center

Source: AAJ Staff
November 9, 2011

Philadelphia, PA: The Boston Globe calls them “a pancontinental Funk-soul supergroup." All About Jazz proclaims they are simply “explosive." On Sunday, November 20 at 7 PM, the legendary Pee Wee Ellis and an ensemble of international music greats, kick off the 11/12 Annenberg Center African Roots series with Still Black, Still Proud: An African Tribute to James Brown. Paying homage to the “Godfather of Soul," this extraordinary lineup featuring Maceo Parker, Vusi Mahlasela and Cheikh Lo, celebrates the points at ...
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Interview

James Brown: The Singles

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
October 31, 2011

If there's one artist who's most responsible for fusing jazz, gospel and R&B—and inventing a new form of high-octane soul in the process—it's James Brown. From 1956 to 1981, Brown's trampoline rhythms, high-pitched squeals and horn-fed dance steps lifted soul to a new level while crystallizing the spirit of the civil rights movement and sexual revolution. But Brown (1933-2006) was more than music. He was an electrifying performer whose stage presence, dance steps and artistic courage generated awe. Deeply influenced ...
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161

TV / Film

Soul Power

Source: Michael Ricci
July 9, 2009

The documentary focuses on the music festival 'Zaire 74' that was organized to go along with the Ali-Foreman 'Rumble in the Jungle.'

Most everyone remembers “The Rumble in the Jungle," the 1974 heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire, but who remembers “Zaire 74," the music festival that was organized to go along with it? “Soul Power," a vibrant and joyous new documentary, should end that anonymity.

One reason the concert is little known is ...
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131

Music Industry

Rocking Cincinnatis R&B Cradle

Source: Michael Ricci
January 25, 2009

King Records employees in the labels shipping department in the 1950s, early on were proof King adopted an integration policy, and some management positions were occupied by African-Americans.

Among the artists on the King roster were the Stanley Brothers, top; James Brown, center, who cut Papas Got a New Bag for the label; and the saxophonist Earl Bostic, above right, with Kings owner, Syd Nathan.

King started as a so-called hillbilly label in 1943; moved into race music the onetime ...
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Event

Still Black, Still Proud: African Tribute to James Brown at Kimmel Center

Source: All About Jazz
July 31, 2008

Kimmel Center Presents brings a welcoming respite from the dog days of summer with weekly Global Grooves world music dance parties in Perelman Theater. Global Grooves series showcases a hot lineup of international bands in the Perelman Theater, which is transformed into a nightclub with an open dance floor and cash bar. Pancontinental funk/soul ensemble Still Black, Still Proud delivers an explosive African Tribute to James Brown on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 7:30pm in Perelman Theater. The extraordinary line-up ...
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112

Video / DVD

In Tense Times, James Brown Stays Cool

Source: Michael Ricci
July 29, 2008

James Brown in the '60s' shows how the Godfather of Soul calmed Boston

James Brown became a powerful symbol of black culture, thanks to such hits as “Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud" and “I Got You (I Feel Good)."

On April 5, 1968, James Brown stood as a voice of reason and restraint in a city on the edge of rampage. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated the day before in Memphis, Tenn., ...
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Music Industry

Judge Gives a Go-Ahead to James Brown Auction

Source: All About Jazz
July 16, 2008

The personal possessions of the soul singer James Brown, the self-proclaimed “Godfather of Soul," will be auctioned

On Thursday as scheduled after an appeals court judge declined on Monday to block the sale. Christie's, the New York auction house, will offer nearly 350 items, including hair curlers, several performance outfits and a green vinyl sofa, in a sale expected to fetch up to $2 million.

Judge Jasper M. Cureton of South Carolina appeals court said, however, that the South Carolina ...
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