Portal:Rhythm and blues/Selected biography/1

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James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933[1][2] – December 25, 2006), commonly referred to as "The Godfather of Soul" and "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business", was an American entertainer recognized as one of the most influential figures in 20th century popular music. He was renowned for his shouting vocals, feverish dancing and unique rhythmic style.

As a prolific singer, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer, Brown was a pivotal force in the evolution of gospel and rhythm and blues into soul and funk. He left his mark on numerous other musical genres, including rock, jazz, disco, dance and electronic music, reggae and hip hop.[3] Brown's music also left its mark on the rhythms of African popular music, such as afrobeat, jùjú and mbalax,[4] and provided a template for go-go music.[5]

Brown began his professional music career in 1953, and rose to fame during the late 1950s and early 1960s on the strength of his thrilling live performances and string of smash hits. In spite of various personal problems and setbacks he continued to score hits in every decade through to the 1980s. In addition to his acclaim in music, Brown was a presence in American political affairs during the 1960s and 1970s, noted especially for his activism on behalf of fellow African Americans and the poor. During the early 1980s, Brown's music helped to shape the rhythms of early hip hop music, with many groups looping or sampling his funk grooves and turning them into what became hip hop classics and the foundations of this music genre.

Brown was recognized by a plethora of (mostly self-bestowed) titles, including Soul Brother Number One, Sex Machine, Mr. Dynamite, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, Minister of The New New Super Heavy Funk, Mr. Please Please Please, The Boss, and the best-known, the Godfather of Soul.

  1. ^ The United States Social Security Death Index shows a birth date of 3 May 1933 for James Brown, Social Security number 259-32-3801 (Social Security number issued in the State of Georgia, United States), Last Residence: ZIP Code 29842, Beech Island, Aiken (County), South Carolina. Individual record of James Brown. (2007, August 1). United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Retrieved August 24, 2007.
  2. ^ Although public records, such as arrest records and FBI files released under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act and the United States Social Security Death Index, in addition to obituaries published by news organizations and by Brown's family, show 1932 as Brown's year of birth, other sources both inside and outside the United States cite 1928 as Brown's year of birth. Sullivan, J. (2000, May 12). James Brown still can't act his age. The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved June 10, 2007. See also James Brown biography. (2007). Rolling Stone Magazine. Retrieved June 10, 2007. No primary source for a birth in 1928 can be found, so it appears that the 1928 date is most likely an error. Brown himself claimed 1933 as his birth year on several occasions.
  3. ^ Brown's legendary status went beyond his music. (2007, January 9). The Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 9, 2007.
  4. ^ Pareles, J. (2006, December 26). James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul" dies at 73. The New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2007.
  5. ^ Chuck Brown. (2000). Washington Area Music Association. Retrieved January 28, 2007.
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