Singer James Brown "Godfather of Soul" Dead at age 73

[Herman Munster]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

ATLANTA -- James Brown, the legendary singer known as the "Godfather of Soul," has died, his agent said early Monday. He was 73.

Brown was hospitalized Sunday at Emory Crawford Long Hospital with pneumonia and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, Copsidas said.

The agent said Brown's family was being notified of his death and that the cause was still uncertain. "We really don't know at this point what he died of," Copsidas said.

[shadowknows69]

1. I feel bad

Good journey James and thanks for the tunes.

[LuckyTheDog]

14. RIP James Brown

James Brown: Still black, still proud. Still sayin' it loud... but in a better place.

[pepperbear]

2. a tragic loss. n/t

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Rest in Peace. His kind of soul lives on.

[Buddyblazon]

4. Oh no....

I was lucky enough to see him at a black tie affair...on a business trip to New York...on the USS Intrepid the week before Christmas 2001.

It was a benefit put on by Skechers (the company I was employed with), Foot Locker and Nike for the WTC. Nobody knew he was playing....they just told us that there would be, "a special act".

I showed up in my tux (and tennis shoes...as we were instructed to wear) and within five minutes a guy walks on stage and introduces James Brown. We flipped out. It was a great show.

When he was done, my distributor from Dubai told me "I know your a jazz fan, and I have a gift for you.". We hopped in a cab still in our tuxes. He directed the cabbie to take us down to the village to the Blue Note. When we got there it turned out to be Chick Corea's 60th birthday. He played for several hours. Just him and another pianist on two concert grands.

The Godfather of soul was a part of what I still call THE most memorable night of my life.



Rest in peace, Godfather. Thanks for the wonderful memory.

[Vinca]

9. Wow! I loved him, too.

He's the one singer that drove my dad crazier than the Beatles and the Stones, which, at the time, was a real bonus.

[EST]

5. Even though we all know this fate awaits us, this is stunning.

The world is a poorer place with his passing.

[cynatnite]

6. Oh, how sad!

I loved his music and his personality was always bigger than life! My thoughts go out to his family.

[Az]

7. Another innovator lost

We need more people that see the world a different way.

[Raine]

8. very sad news

R-I-P James Brown.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

10. RIP James

Your music changed me, and I will be forever grateful.

[Joe Bacon]

11. Bless you, James!

A very sad Christmas

[Hubert Flottz]

12. Very Sad...

I grew up listening to J B and the Flames...I've been a hard core J B fan, for life.

I hope he's jammin' in a better place this morning.

[Swagman]

13. vale James Brown !

[dbt]

15. Godspeed, Godfather!

I bet Otis and Pickett are waiting for you at the Gates with the real cape!


dbt
Remember New Orleans

[G_Leo_Criley]

18. What dbt said ...

r.i.p. James.

glc

[Bluzmann57]

16. RIP James Brown

Man oh man this has been a tough year for Soul and Blues legends. James Brown was indeed an innovator and he will be missed. I must add that I am fearing for Mr. Riley King, aka B.B. King as well. He ain't a spring chicken.

[MGD]

17. How very sad. He will be missed.

RIP James Brown.

[G_Leo_Criley]

19. Prisoner of Love and Please Please Please

Just one more post in honor of the legendary James Brown, please?

This is from the 1964 TAMI show. Picture, if you will, Mick Jagger pacing and chain smoking backstage knowing that the Stones had to follow this performance to close the concert!

Keef has always said it was the worst mistake of the group's career. (Not that they've done all that badly.)

What a legend Brown will always be. What a true master. Enjoy, smile and laugh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USTilaOqNHM

glc

[talk hard]

20. man sorry to hear it

he was an awesome talent

[Lipton64]

21. RIP old man. nt

[Jcrowley]

22. James Brown

K&R

[Booster]

23. Mr. Brown was doing a tv show at the network where I worked

and when I heard he was there, I went running to the soundstage where he was. As I flew into the studio, I slid around the corner and stopped right in front of him. He smiled really big and said "Good move". I said "I learned that from you" and we both laughed. James Brown was something else. Rest In Peace.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

24. I just put his "20 Greatest Hits" on my music player a couple of weeks ago, and listened to it

at work just before his death.

There, and in American culture, he will be immortal.