One of the greatest tributes to James Brown’s legacy was his single handed mission to end the rioting that occurred across America afer the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King on April 4, 1968. In the days following the murder of Dr. King, James Brown went from city to city trying to quell the rioting that was occuring in America’s black ghettos. Here is an excerpt from an 1968 editorial that appeared in Billboard Magazine:

“Hail, James Brown
Billboard Magazine Editorial
April 27, 1968
Amid the looting and rioting in Washington., Brown came to the people and told a live television audience, “Get off the streets. Go home. Nothing can be gained by looting and burning, only sorrow and misery.” A few hours later, those who were not at home to see Brown make an appeal, were at home watching the continuous rebroadcast of Brown’s plea. Washington and the rioters withdrew into their homes taking the advice of James Brown, who is not a politician but a singer. Brown went to Washington at his own expense just as he went to Boston and other riot torn cities…”

We lost a national treasure today and one of the towering figures in all of popular music. Perhaps the most influential musician of the past 100 years. Rest in Peace James.

Thank JB for all the Great music!!
I had the pleasure in of touring with him
and i will never forget those shows,
and what he did to those audiences!!
Ziggy FOH Eng

I feel as though I’ve lost a beloved and respected Family Member. James Brown will ALWAYS live on in my memories with his sideways slides and splits on stage. And he has NEVER been out of my daily music rotation. Godfather of Soul, May You Rest In Peace!

NEVER HEARD OF HIM! SLOW NEWSDAY RS?

WE ARE ALL PULLING FOR YOU,YOU OLD COOT!

Are you nuts? Or just culture deprived? Sincere condolences to the Brown family.

“WHO IS THIS GUY” better be joking. Not knowing James Brown is evidence of, how should I put this, sheer ignorance. He was one of the most important figures in music of the 20th century. He perfected the live album, essentially invented funk as we know it today, and paved the way for Hip Hop.

This is a sure way to get out of going to court.

Wow, how could someone not know who James Brown is? Honestly, if you have never heard of him… You havn’t heard of much then, have you? In no way do i mean this disrespectfully, I just really don’t understand how someone so famous, so amazing, isn’t known to you.
He truly was amazing, and may he Rest In Peace. God bless the Brown family.

Raise a glass on Christmas for Soul Brother #1.

AT

Hip Hop is FOREVER in debt to James! His soul provided a foundation for the “feel & sound” of Hip Hop in it’s early stages. Some of the greatest Emcee’s to ever touch a mic owe James their livelihood!…You live on forever!

I would like to say rest in peace James Brown. You have made your mark in music, and you will be missed dearly. The world wasen’t ready for you to go, but God said it was time to take you. May you live in everlasting peace in heaven.

It’s NOT like some important,young & HOT died like LINDSAY LOHAN,PARIS HILTON OR CHEYNELLE KIMBALL DIED!

I’M MEAN YEA IT’S SAD BUT HE WAS OLD!!!

LONG LIVE THIN WHITE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!

will he get the cover?

I doubt it.?

Most likely some hot IT GIRL in barely there clothes & THAT is allright by me!

DAKOTA FANNING HALF NUDE WOULD RULR!

SHOULD BE THE NEXT COVER,NOT THIS WIFE BEATER!

That was a horrible comment to write. I would like ot see Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan change music and become role models like James Brown did. But I guess if partying excessively and sex tapes are “young and hot” then party on! I am embarressed for you and your comment.

To WHY MAKE SUCH A BIG DEAL??????:

choke on something.
Paris Hilton cant even hold a note while James Brown is a legend.

Lindsay Lohan and the rest of your little girls are not even pretty.

hard photoshop and inches of make up is beautiful.

And they will get old.

Dumbass.

So what your saying is J.B. isn’t as important as Paris cuz he didn’t go down on a dude in a porn?

Why make such a big deal, WHY? Are the people who wrote these really, really stupid comments that damn dumb and ignorant. They obviously have no clue about what James Brown brought to this world with his music, lyrics and incredible live shows. These people need to pick up one of his cd’s or albums and here some REAL music not this garbage there promoting these days. God Bless You James and may you Rest in Peace.

This is such a sad day in the world of music. He was a musical genius who influenced generations of musicians in so many genres. Without James Brown, the many artists we all have admired throughout the years in rock, funk, disco, R&B and hip hop wouldn’t even have been around.

Gonna miss that “Heh!”

The King is dead….Long Live to the King!!!

Pick your Live at the Apollo I or II, and dance, squeeze, scream, free your souls!

Days ago I saw BB King here in Curitiba(Brasil) and I thought:”what chance to see this.” So people, if you ever heard James Brown just give your “what chance to hear this…”. Long Live to the King.

May the Lord Rest his Funk.

In response to Why make such a big deal.

See this is what’s wrong with people in America as well as World Wide.. so unappreciative of people who REALLY make a difference in others lives. James Brown’s music influenced so many people and brought joy and good energy to their hearts rather they were black, brown, orange, red or white. He gave many a bridge to cross over boundaries that did not and do not only include race. So for you to make such a ignorant comment shows you that you may not be apart of something so great and possibly never know true joy in your own heart. That’s sad buddy, but hey, I guess we always have to have the village idiot.

James Brown may be the most important musician of the last fifty, if not 200 years. If you listen to his records from the sixties, and the other music of the same period, you see he was coming from a whole nother world. He invented funk. Nothing short of genius. He created a style of music that will be listened to forever. There is no one as instrumental in today’s music as the Godfather of Soul. Incredibly underated, his creativity is beyond the Beatles or Dylan. Belongs among Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Armstrong and Ellington.

James Brown was a true legend. One of the most important artists of the last 50 years. There would be no Michael Jackson, Prince, David Bowie, or Public Enemy if it wasn’t for this man.

RS better do the right thing by honoring him. It’s the least they can do.

God bless you JB!

James Brown was more than a great musician. He was a person to look up to. I saw him just a couple months ago perform in Indiana and his show was as good as ever. Admire a person that stares getting older in the face and continues to be the “hardest working man in show business”. Though he had his demons to battle, he spread such positive messages as staying off drugs and to stay in school. He never forgot where he was from and he continued to have love for the less fortunate and misguided. If only we had musical artists doing that today. For all those people who don’t know JB, go buy a greatest hits album so you can see where all the music you listen to now was influenced from. What a way for a genius to go out, Christmas day. He will be missed.

Hit me! Thank you for your music James Brown. We will never forget your contributions to music.

I just found out what sad sad news. James Brown was a innovator, genius, Soul Brother #1, and the Greatest Bank Leader of our time. JB was the genesis of so many genres of music and influence all peoples of all backgrounds. There will never be another like him. R.I.P Godfather R.I.P

“Daddy” James Brown
The hardest working man on this earth. May your “SOUL” rest in peace. I pray that all of your children meet each other very soon. Your Daughter in Florida!

James Brown was a musical genius that has influenced major recording artists in many musical genres over decades; right up to the present day.

His achievements in rising from a poor upbringing to unparalleled success as a singer, dancer, showman, song composer, musical visionary, and businessman were truly amazing.

I was saddened when I heard of his death and played “Star Time” (James Brown’s 4 CD anthology ) instead of Christmas music today. For me, it’s impossible to be sad when I hear his music and he had me smiling in no time.. He may be gone but his legacy will live on

God bless you, Soul Brother #1, I miss you already.

James Brown could hit his marks like no other.

The world is a lesser place. Thank you for the gifts you gave us all. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

FB

James, you are Super Bad.

Better open them pearly gates quick or James gonna kick em open.

James Brown is the # 1 R&B artist of all time with 118 charted hits. 60 of which went to the top 10 and 17 to # 1. He is the # 6 Pop Artist of all time with 99 charted hits, second only to Elvis. This is according to Billboard magazine. I am stating these statistics to answer anyone who wants to know why James Brown is important. His career ranks alongside Elvis and the Beatles in terms of chart dominance.

Long LIve JB!!!
The man defined funk! He defined R&B! HE defined pop! The man cared about people. Sure he had his demons but, he was a man of joy! May you rest in peace soul brother #1!!!!

DEAL WITH IT PEOPLE!

“STARS ARE BLIND” IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING “JB” DID!

THE END!

DEATH!

>

>

I REALLY DO!

here’s to the hardest working man in show business… thnx for being an inspiration.

http://www.myspace.co m/lekule

read my blog tribute. “say it loud!”

Sad to see you go, James. The news of your death was a surprise to me.

I grew up with your music as my father was a *huge* fan of yours. One of the most memoriable to me was “King Heroin” – an absolutely chilling protrayal of the destructiveness of drug addiction.

Many years later I would find myself in the grip of drug addiction. However, I managed to pull myself out of it in time.

R.I.P my brotha

“James Brown” A legend that will allways live on. I’m a huge fan and I’m very thankfull to have known his music. Rest in peace J.B. straight Love.

too bad

gosh i’m so sad today. i really loved james brown. he was just, well amazing. i can’t really say it better than that i suppose. read my blog tribute on http://www.myspace.com/killabot

it’s too funky in here! open a window!!!

rip mr. brown. you will be missed.

James Brown was a true icon, a man who changed the face of popular music forever. He was the most energetic man in music and the most electryfing for that matter. Bless Him. May he rest in peace.

I have a doubt. Did he sing “wonderfull world”?

Are you thinking of Louis Armstrong?

Thanks for the music JB…peace.

I witnessed a JB show in 1986 and it was explosive. Simply amazing.

Rolling Stone should honor The Godfather with a cover in 2007. Do it.

Jame Bromn, one bad motha.RIP

funkmaster james has now passed away – so let’s talk of his life in a positive way – he was the man with the magic shoes – a slippin’ and a slidin’ – his heart and soul – he could not hide it – we are all very lucky that the man was around – so let’s celebrate the legacy of his funky sound…

rest in peace soul brother man…

the civilization of atlantis supposedly had three kings – but we only have two so far; james brown and elvis presley – so who is our third king?…

James Brown better get the next cover, period.

Our third king is Bob Dylan.

James Brown is one of the last true musical cornerstones of contemporary popular and Black music of the last 50 years. He is to funk/soul/rhythm and blues, what Miles Davis and Charlie Parker was to Bebop, what Duke Ellington and Count Basie was big band orchestrated swing, Johhny Cash is to country, Run-DMC is to rap, Bach is to classical music, Bob Marley is to reggae music, Bob Dylan is to folk, and what Chuck Berry is to rock ‘n’ roll. Rap music’s initial burst of creativity, innovativeness, and social conscience and musical ideas came from the braintrust of James Brown. Now I won’t say if it wasn’t for James Brown, MJ, Prince, David Bowie wouldn’t be where they are today because it totally disparages and demeans their talents and strengths but James Brown played a big role in their creative development.

For the people that are saying he shouldn’t get the cover of Rolling Stone’s next cover because he had issues of domestic abuse and run-ins with the law need to stop being hypocrites and self-rigteous. RS should give him the cover on the merits of his musical achievements and his impact on Black culture, black pride, and black entrepreneurship.

Lastly, I am disgusted with the little amount of meaningful press coverage of his death. God forbid, if it was somebody like Paul McCartney or Mick Jagger, it would be the lead story on every news network in the nation.

James Brown on the cover of Rolling Stone is a flat out “given”.

Time Magazine is the one that should honor this man as well. For his level of impact in popular culture in the 20th century and into the next.

Will we ever reach a day when the influence and impact of James Brown is no longer felt?

A musical GIANT has left us.

What else can you say. This is a huge loss for the music world. JB had his problems, but was always there to make life interesting for millions of people and DJs alike. The Dj world will miss you, but you will be around in the world of electronic music forever! What can Brown do for you? RIP

I actually had a chance meeting of the Godfather of Soul. It was unforgettable. If you want to read about it, visit http://blog.myspace.com/174542 72.

Will be interested in what the Rap and R and B stars will have to say…
They used of all his beats and moves…

Thanks James..paid the cost to be the boss..

He’s such an institution that its hard to believe he’s gone. I don’t think we’ll see anyone that BIG for a long, long time. No performer today projects the larger-than-life charisma and energy of JB. Needless to say, no one today can claim to have changed the sound of American popular music at least twice.

James Brown will always be the godfather of soul and that crown will never be taken from him. He has inspired every form of popular music. If ever the term LEGEND should be used to describe some one, it is JAMES BROWN.

I am old enough to remember JB’s glory days in the 60s. Whenever he came on TV everyone, even my parents, stopped what they were doing and watched James. He was a force of nature and even though he defined the funk genre he was larger than any musical category and in the end was simply James Brown, period.A GIANT HAS PASSED.

The godfather’s booty shaking music will continue to be featured in my sets and mix CDs. I declare 2007 a year of mourning and tribute to James Brown.

m-thaf-ckin’ doin’…the james brooown. das all i can say. rip.

muthaf-ckin doin’…the james brooown. das all i can say. rip.

“What’ssome ever I play it’s got to be funky!” 20th century music now has it’s official end with the death of the Godfather of Soul! ” One, Two, Three! Hit Me!!!’

!!VIVA JAMES BROWN!!
Memorable huella en la musica que deja este controvertido y autentico personaje que emergio de las raices de la vida mas comun de una de las razas mas golpeadas en la historia de los Estados Unidos y del Mundo; Nuestros Hermanos Negros, precisamente la vida que tuvo y que llevo lo hace mas autentico y representativo de las grandes masas. La rehabilitacion que hizo de su vida y de sus costumbres debe ser un ejemplo a seguir para las generaciones de jovenes que peligrosamente deambulan por el bajo mundo de las drogas y el alcohol confundiendo la musica y el genero moderno con la vagancia y las malas costumbres. Viva James Brown.

!Long Live James Brown!!
A memorable footprint leaves in Music History this controversial character who emerged from the deep roots from the most common life of one of the most beaten ethnic groups in the USA and the world; Our Black Brothers, It is exactly his lifestyle what made him more “Authentic” and representative of the great masses. The rehabilitation that he made of his lifestyle MUST be an example to follow for the new generations of young ones that stroll along by the low world of drugs and alcohol confusing music and modern times with vagrancy iddleness and bad costums, bad habits, crime and drugs.

If James does not get the cover of the next RS, then I just give the fuck up. ALl the rappers out today need to stop and pay homage to the man they have ripped off for years. Yes, RIPPED OFF! Long live JB!!!!!

A couple of years back, I was going to this party in San Francisco with my friends.

As we were waiting to get into the party, my friend started to blare James Brown out of her Hummer.

Eventually, it became a party in the street as several people from the party, us, and even some strangers on the street all started dancing in the street — that is until the cops came and told us to turn it down.

I think of that memory is a good testament to how James Brown was able to make us feel good (pun intended).

Rest In Peace, Godfather Of Soul

That was pretty shitty he had to die on Christmas morning.

I punched up “James Brown Live” on YouTube and what came up was his performance of Sex Machine from Live8. I was skeptical at first, but the performance blew me away. Here was a 73 year old man with what must have been atleast 50,000 people in the palm of his hand, getting them up and dancin’ and out of control. It was breathtaking. I pulled out Star Time and put on “There was a Time” and was even more jaw-dropped. Words like Giant, Legend, Trailblazer and Master are too small for James Brown. He was the embodiment of all that is great in popular music. Listen to anything , and I mean ANYTHING recorded since his peak and you will hear his influence. He was the Godfather of Soul, Mr. Dynamite, Mr. Please Please Please, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, Soul Brother Number One. He was the ONE, THE ONLY MR. JAAAAAAMESSS BROOOOWWWWWWNNNN!!!!!

In the mid 60’s, me and my friends would sneak off on Sunday nights to go see The James Brown Review at the outdoor SulferDell ball park in Nashville. The JB Review was a dynamic experience…Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Joe Tex and then JB and his show. JB would put on this overwhelming show for about two hours…a performance you will always remember. He definitely was the hardest working man in show business.
JB tended to cross over the music barriers. Me and my friends were usually the only white faces in the crowd; but colors did not matter…it was about the “music”.
JB should be remember for the “soul” he brought to the people. Thank you James and God Bless.

I’ll never forget the day my sister came home with her “Live at the Apollo” LP (early 60s). Each side had just one continuous track, with no separation between the songs. She knew exactly where to put the needle down to hear her favorite songs. In no time flat, it was all scratched up from being played on a donut machine with three quarters taped to the arm. My own copy got lost in the shuffle of time, and the album was out of print for years, but I rushed out to get it as soon as it was reissued in the 80s. Nothing touches it. Or James.

RIP, Godfather. The world is a less funky place now that you’ve left us. At least our feet will always get up and dance when we hear your songs. Count it off James, you left your mark forever in the music world and our hearts.

One of the finest crack smokin, wife beatin niggas ever. His mug shot still makes me lose it.

R.I.P

Does anyone know where I can see a complete listing of James Brown concerts – cities and dates and other pertinent info. I’m specifically interested in a 1968 concert I attended in Pensacola, Florida very shortly after the assination of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Mr. James Brown: a true American to the world. His life and his music were messages and inspiration to all races and peoples. The Godfather has opened opened doors for everyone in all of life. His passion for life was and is a celebration. Sad that he passed on and his mourning overshadowed by other events of the time. May Mr. James Brown be with GOD. You have worked hard for everyone. Rest in peace brother.

I deeply am troubled by the many artist that say they owe their success to Mr. James Brown, but none besides Michael Jackson and Rev Hammer showed up to his funeral. I’m sure we will see them peddling their new cd’s on New Years Eve shows, but none could take the time to be seen at the Apollo, his private funeral, or public homecomming in Atlanta. Let’s remember that..the next time they utter how important James was to them, yet, it wasn’t worth the price of a plane ticket to demonstrate it in person

..James Brown was a powerhouse and a class act. Nearly all popular talent today pales in comparison to Brown’s vast cataloge of music and live performances. He’s the benchmark standard by which all others will be measured..present and future.

I met James Brown a few years ago, he is a wonderful human being, I will miss him a lot, I saw him at the Howard Theater in DC and I told him when I met him, that would not wash my hand after he shook it. I love you. RIP a Fan for life

James Brown did not really have a website and now sites like http://TomiRae.info and http://JamesBrowns.com are left doing the dirty work in some cases and not so bad on the JamesBrowns.com site with free links to download PDF of Funeral programs both public and private and lots of links and picture from the early days.

To the family of James Brown please for once an for all — allow his body to be put to rest. He is gone from this life and disputing over where he should be buried; makes no sense. Put his body to rest and stop making a spectacle of his memory. It’s a shame that you all waited until the man died to voice your desires or usurp authority. Everyones knows that James Brown called the shots while he lived. You should have asked him for what you wanted when he was alive. It’s a shame you have do it while he’s gone. Nonetheless, bury the man.

every now and then i come back here to relive and remember you.

thnx 4 being my inspiring.

lekule.

3.23. 07

James Brown was the Godfather of Soul,Funk,Rock and great performances. His performances rival Elvis Presley’s. I’m surprised that more people have not acknowledged his influence on their careers. I guess some people think that it’s not politically correct to give someone with his record too many accolades. Well those people should be kneeling at his grave to ask forgiveness. Long live the memory of the REAL GODFATHER !!!!!

fff

rest in peace

rest in peace

rest in peace

l9Hzst

im just now seeing all the comments people posted about my dad. the sad part is most knew him better than me. he didnt live to see the dna results.