James Brown

Who Was James Brown?

James Brown, often referred to as “The Godfather of Soul,” ascended to the pinnacle of funk and R&B music, leaving a profound impact on the music industry. Known for his distinctive vocal style and musical innovation, he shaped the sound of modern music and influenced generations of artists. In addition to his musical achievements, Brown was an outspoken advocate for social issues, as evidenced by his songs like “America is My Home” and “Black and Proud,” as well as his dedication to promoting education among young people.

Early Life

James Joe Brown Jr. was born on May 3, 1933, in a one-room shack in Barnwell, South Carolina, near the Georgia border. His parents separated when he was very young, and at the age of 4, he moved to Augusta, Georgia, to live with his Aunt Honey, who ran a brothel. Raised in poverty during the Great Depression, Brown worked numerous odd jobs to survive, including performing for soldiers at nearby Fort Gordon, picking cotton, washing cars, and shining shoes.

In later years, Brown would reflect on his childhood hardships, stating, “I started shining shoes at 3 cents, then went up to 5 cents, then 6 cents. I never did get up to a dime. I was 9 years old before I got a pair of underwear from a real store; all my clothes were made from sacks and things like that. But I knew I had to make it. I had the determination to go on, and my determination was to be somebody.”

Musical Beginnings

At the age of 12, Brown was expelled from school due to his “insufficient clothing” and soon began working full-time in various jobs. Music and religion became his escape from the challenges of growing up Black in the rural South. He sang in the church choir, where his powerful voice began to take shape.

However, his teenage years were also marked by criminal activity. At 16, Brown was arrested for car theft and sentenced to three years in prison. During his incarceration, he formed a prison gospel choir, where he met Bobby Byrd, an aspiring R&B singer and pianist. The two became close friends and musical partners, forming one of the most influential collaborations in music history.

After his release in 1953, Brown pursued athletics, briefly focusing on boxing and semiprofessional baseball. But in 1955, Byrd invited him to join his R&B group, The Gospel Starlighters. Brown soon dominated the group, which was renamed the Famous Flames. After relocating to Macon, Georgia, they began performing in local nightclubs.

In 1956, they recorded the song “Please, Please, Please,” which impressed talent scout Ralph Bass from King Records. The song reached No. 6 on the R&B charts, launching Brown’s music career.

Superstardom

The Famous Flames quickly began touring, opening for iconic artists such as B.B. King and Ray Charles. However, they struggled to repeat the success of their debut hit. By 1957, the group returned home.

In 1958, Brown relocated to New York, where he recorded the hit “Try Me,” which topped the R&B charts and broke into the Hot 100, solidifying his place in the music world. This success was followed by a string of hits, including “Lost Someone,” “Night Train,” and “Prisoner of Love.”

As both a performer and a businessman, Brown became known for his relentless touring schedule, often performing five or six nights a week. His dynamic stage presence and unparalleled work ethic earned him the title of “The Hardest-Working Man in Show Business.” Known for his incredible dancing, vibrant showmanship, and soulful voice, Brown’s concerts were electrifying events. His saxophonist, Pee Wee Ellis, once stated, “When you heard James Brown was coming to town, you stopped what you were doing and started saving your money.”

Brown became a master of popular dances, often creating his own signature moves, and was known to challenge his band members with impromptu performances during shows. As a perfectionist bandleader, he demanded nothing short of excellence from his musicians, fining them for missed notes and pushing them to improvise on the spot.

One of his most famous live performances took place on October 24, 1962, when he recorded the iconic Live at the Apollo album. Despite initial resistance from King Records, the album became a huge commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the pop albums chart, and cemented Brown’s status as a crossover star.

Throughout the 1960s, Brown produced some of his most enduring hits, including “I Got You (I Feel Good),” “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” and “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” With “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” Brown pioneered the genre of funk, a style that revolutionized music and laid the groundwork for future genres like hip-hop.

Social Activism

In the mid-1960s, James Brown increasingly dedicated himself to social activism, using his platform to address critical issues affecting the Black community. In 1966, he recorded “Don’t Be a Dropout,” a powerful and impassioned call for greater emphasis on education within the Black community. Brown was a firm advocate of nonviolent protest and, in a conversation with H. Rap Brown of the Black Panther Party, famously declared, “I’m not going to tell anybody to pick up a gun.”

Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, and amidst widespread riots across the country, Brown took to television the following day with a live concert in Boston. His intention was to calm tensions and prevent violence in the city, and his efforts were effective—many young people stayed home to watch the performance, and Boston largely avoided the unrest that gripped other cities. Later that year, Brown released “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud,” an anthem of Black empowerment that resonated with generations to come.

Troubles and Redemption

Throughout the 1970s, Brown remained a prolific performer and continued to produce hits such as “Sex Machine” and “Get Up Offa That Thing.” However, the late 1970s saw a decline in his career, compounded by financial difficulties and the rise of disco music. Despite this, he made a notable comeback with a memorable appearance in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, and in 1985, his song “Living in America” became his biggest hit in decades, prominently featured in Rocky IV.

Brown’s career took a dark turn in the late 1980s after he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He faced escalating personal struggles, including drug addiction and depression, culminating in a highly publicized incident in 1988. Brown, under the influence of PCP and carrying a shotgun, attended an insurance seminar before leading police on a high-speed car chase. The police were forced to shoot out his tires to end the pursuit. Brown was sentenced to 15 months in prison and was released on parole in 1991.

After his release, Brown made a determined return to the stage, continuing to tour and perform with the same energetic drive for which he was known, although his schedule was reduced. However, in 1998, he encountered legal issues once again, this time involving a rifle discharge and another car chase. He was subsequently sentenced to a 90-day drug rehabilitation program.

Personal Life

Brown married four times and fathered six children. His wives included Velma Warren (1953-1969), Deidre Jenkins (1970-1981), Adrienne Rodriguez (1984-1996), and Tomi Rae Hynie (2002-2004). In 2004, he was arrested on charges of domestic violence against Hynie, though he publicly denied the accusations, stating, “I would never hurt my wife. I love her very much.”

Death and Legacy

James Brown passed away on December 25, 2006, after a week-long battle with pneumonia at the age of 73.

Brown’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in modern music is indisputable. Often referred to as the Godfather of Soul, the inventor of funk, and the grandfather of hip-hop, his impact spans generations and genres. His innovations shaped the course of popular music, inspiring artists ranging from Mick Jagger to Michael Jackson, Afrika Bambaataa to Jay-Z. Acknowledging his cultural significance, Brown wrote in his memoir, “Others may have followed in my wake, but I was the one who turned racist minstrelsy into Black soul—and by doing so, became a cultural force.” Despite the vast body of written work about him, Brown maintained that the truest way to understand his essence was through his music: “As I always said, if people wanted to know who James Brown is, all they have to do is listen to my music.”