AUGUSTA: The greatest voice in soul and funk - James Brown is no more. Brown was the singer composer of 'Papa's Got A Brand New Bag' a song that gave a new energy and new direction to the music of the 60s. His music didn't just inspire songs; it inspired whole genres.
Brown himself was an inspiration for artistes who later became legends themselves. His gravelly voice and path-breaking compositions have influenced jazz genius Miles Davis, Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger, hip hop star Snoop Dogg and scores more.
The 73yr-old musician died of a heart failure in an Atlanta hospital on Monday. The aged but energetic artiste was slated for a string of performances on and after New Year's Eve.
The man had done much more besides earning himself epithets like the 'Godfather of Soul'. His career graph marks a phenomenal rise from the abysmal depths of ghetto-like conditions of his childhood to a highly influential stature. The most illustrative example of his power and charisma was immediately after the assignation of Martin Luther King Jr. when violent riots broke out in several US cities and towns. His concert telecast live had a greater effect on the people than a statesman appealing for calm.
His incarceration in 1948, for a petty crime, brought him in contact with musician Bobby Byrd who is said to be the turning point in Brown's life. Both the adolescents founded the hugely successful group Famous Flames which had a string of hits, the most notable of which was 'Please Please Please'. Their music borrowed from and contributed to gospel music of the time. But soon Brown broke away and developed his own style that combined a pulsating rhythm with doo wop style vocals.
Brown the celebrity was too big for Brown the real life person who battled with dozens of problems. His very frequent conflicts with the law didn't seem to affect his reputation. In 1988, he was imprisoned for the much talked about cross-state chase by the police. He has had problems not only with drugs and alcohol, but was jailed also on charges of domestic violence.
His hometown Augusta now displays a 7-foot bronze statue in honor of the same man who it had once banished for petty theft and other crimes.
Brown's accomplishments include a Grammy for lifetime achievement in 1992 and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
In a statement issued yesterday, President George W. Bush offered condolences to the family and friends of Brown.
