by Norman A. Rubin

Created on: January 17, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

Soul in Heaven

James Joseph Brown, who died of heart failure in Georgia on December 25, 2006, was one of the most influential figures in the world of contemporary popular music. He has been credited with having invented the soul and funk genres, and although these accolades should not be reserved for Brown alone, it cannot be disputed that entertainer was an extraordinary trailblazer. Horn- and bass-heavy grooves matched with punchy beats and rhythmic yelping and acrobatic dance moves have James Brown trademarks since the fifties, when he began his career as a professional entertainer. Brown emerged from the American south, where he helped to keep his family afloat by picking cotton, shining shoes and robbing people (that earned scrapes with the law).. He went on to become an entertainment phenomenon, in a career that spanned six decades. He charted some fifty hits, including 1956's "Please Please Please," 1965's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," 1965's "I got you (I Feel Good)," 1970's "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine," 1971's "Make it Funky" and 1985's "Living in America." Brown went on to become a champion of civil rights, education and the war on drugs; even though he had trouble staying legitimate himself. With an emphasis from Brown's turbulent life and his deep repertoire of hits, he certainly earned the honor of being - The Godfather of Soul Music'...

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