James Brown died

[monkey]

James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, passed this morning at the age of 73 from complications of pneumonia.

[frmmts2sea]

OMG........I haven't seen the news yet. Too, Toobad. I loved his music & him. Very sad

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Too bad he went to jail as a wifebeater. I lost all respect when that happened.

[Summer]

My favorite song of his was "I Feel Good"! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/stickdance.gif

[citizen]

Originally posted by Yosemite_Wolf:
Too bad he went to jail as a wifebeater. I lost all respect when that happened.

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/no.gif Poor taste http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/no.gif

The man just died....


I am a big fan of his music.

Here is a quote from cnn.com

Despite much-publicized personal problems that included a rap sheet and drug troubles, he also was a community leader. In the 1960s, he was a voice for calm during a period of urban riots; J. Anthony Lukas' book on Boston race relations, "Common Ground," notes that a 1968 Brown performance the day after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination helped keep the Massachusetts city from exploding.

Later, dismayed by the school shootings of the late '90s, he spoke out against violence in schools, even writing a song, "Killing's Out and School's In."

"We need to protect the kids by giving them something to do," Brown told CNN in 2001. "[It's about] making them interested, making them love mom and dad more, love the family more, love themselves more and love their school. So there won't have to be killing in school."

[Yosemite_Wolf]

we wont talk about poor taste... wife beating whilst on PCP is in poor taste.

[citizen]

Everyone makes mistakes in their life. I'm sure god has forgiven him for his mistakes, so I will remember the good things.

I will remember him for his talent. He has great music and was an incredible performer, from what I hear. He loved his country and loved his fans.

R.I.P. Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown.

[Dodgergirl]

If ya don't have something nice to say...
Never speak ill of the dead...

'nuf said

[beautiful_mess38]

I'm going to put in my 2 cents here.

I myself admired James Brown for what he accomplished in the music business, but also lost respect for him.

I hope James Brown Rests in Peace.

[citizen]

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/interactive/entertainment/0612/gallery.james.brown/03.1982.whitehouse.ap.jpg
Brown and the Rev. Al Sharpton leave the White House in 1982 after meeting with President Reagan to advocate a national holiday for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

from cnn.com

[citizen]

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/interactive/entertainment/0612/gallery.james.brown/07.2003.kennedyctr.ap.jpg
In December 2003, Brown receives a Kennedy Center Honors award for his lifetime contribution to the performing arts. His music and rhythms inspired rap, funk and disco. "James presented obviously the best grooves," rapper Chuck D once told The Associated Press. "To this day, there has been no one near as funky. No one's coming even close."

from cnn.com

[citizen]

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/interactive/us/0612/gallery.brown.funeral/gal.06.brown.ap.jpg
A sea of people look on as Brown’s carriage nears the Apollo.

Some fans arrived a little after midnight to get a spot in line. Brown’s album “Live at the Apolloâ€� blared through the speakers outside.

from cnn.com

[citizen]

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/interactive/us/0612/gallery.brown.funeral/gal.09.brown.afp.gi.jpg
Sharpton stands next to his friend as he welcomes guests to the Apollo.

Brown is the first non-employee to lie in repose at the famous venue.

from cnn.com

[CatdaBrat]

well, i only just now found out about this ... guess i don't keep up to date very much. The entertainer I miss the most is Wolfman Jack.

*Cat checks out the pics* I dunno why they use pillows in caskets ... maybe so people's heads can be propped up for better viewing? Or maybe it's to simulate a person who is just sleeping.

Well, back on topic ... another legend done gone. I don't think there are any singers/entertainers emerging now who will have as much effect as legends of the past. Usually people are tired of them way before they pass away.

[Dee]

I totally agree with you Yosemite Wolf. Wifebeating is not acceptable whether he's dead or alive...but it's between God and James Brown now.
Originally posted by Yosemite_Wolf:
we wont talk about poor taste... wife beating whilst on PCP is in poor taste.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

we dont put up with OJ and his denial of murder. why do we glorify Brown's death? Most of you would cheer when/if OJ died.

Im an RN. If i got convicted for spousal abuse.. id lose my nursing license... so James Brown is allowed to be a public idol even after conviction.. dont think so!


thanks Dee.... wife beating is NOT acceptable.

[citizen]

Get over it already. The man is dead. It's not for us to judge. Let the man rest in peace. He may have made a mistake or two in his life, but who hasn't? He accomplished a lot more good in his life than most people I know. He did a lot of great things. He made a lot of great music. I am sorry that I didn't get to see him perform.

I know of many people that have made mistakes in their life. My father was not exactly a saint and I grew up with his anger issues. I didn't condone it then and I don't condone it now. But, I realize everyone makes mistakes and I have forgiven him for it. Now I leave it up to God to judge him. The last thing I would want is to have some stranger talking about the bad things he did on the day he dies. People can change and turn their life around.

I don't know if James Brown's ex forgives him. That is for her to decide. But it's not for us to judge. For all we know they have made peace with it. People can change. It's not fair for people to continue to shame someone for things they did in the past.

And OJ was on trial for murder. That's not the same as what James Brown did.

[Mysteefied]

Ummm, I don't know much about James Brown, other than he was a musician. I've now seen that apprently he was a wife beater.
Citizen, can you tell me some of the good things he's done?
Thanks, I would like to hear some of each side.

[citizen]

Thanks. I would love to point out some of his achievements.

James Brown came out of poverty and prison to become one of the most influential popular musicians of the modern era. He is credited with bringing funk to popular music.

Brown was a presence in American political affairs, noted especially for his activism on behalf of African Americans and the poor. To ease tension in the days after the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Brown went on the air at a Boston radio station and sang through the night in an effort to defuse riots. Take a look at the photos posted above to see him leaving the White House with Sharpton where he encouraged a national holiday for Martin Luther King.

Also, here is an article you can read where he speaks out against school violence:
http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/22/james.brown/index.html

He quit school at 15 and joined a gospel group, the "Three Swanees," playing drums and singing rhythm and blues. He had more than 119 charting singles and recorded more than 50 albums. Every record he made during 1960-77 reached the top 100. James Brown received several prestigious music industry awards and honors. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural induction dinner in New York on January 23, 1986. On February 25, 1992 he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 34th annual Grammy Awards. Exactly a year later, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th annual Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Awards. On November 14, 2006, Brown was inducted to the UK Music Hall of Fame. He was one of several inductees that performed at the ceremony.

Brown was a recipient of Kennedy Center Honors in 2003.

On August 22, 2006, the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority voted to rename the city's civic center the James Brown Arena.

That's what I can find right now....

[citizen]

Here is a copy of the article I linked to above... It's a great article to read if you want to learn more about James Brown. No, he was not perfect and nobody is going to try to make him out to be a saint, but we should recognize the good things he did and let God judge him for the bad things.

James Brown's got a brand new bag: School violence

By Kip Grosenick
CNN

COLUMBUS, Georgia (CNN) -- He is the man of many nicknames. "The Godfather of Soul." "The Hardest-Working Man in Show Business." "Soul Brother Number One." "Mr. Dynamite." For more than 40 years, James Brown has lived up to his billing, putting on a razor-sharp show of elastic moves, tight musicianship, and pure entertainment.

But, throughout his career, Brown has also been a man with a message. In the late '60s, he was a much-listened-to voice for brotherhood, calming communities that threatened to explode into riot. Today, James Brown has a different bag: ending the violence in schools.

"Killing's out and school's in and we're in bad shape," he says, relaxing before a late-April tour stop in this Georgia city.

He's pondered Santana, Jonesboro, Columbine. The litany of school shootings, too much for any of us, has also been too much for James Brown.

In an effort to help turn the tide, Brown did what comes most naturally: He wrote a song. The tune, "Killing's Out and School's In," stresses love and understanding.

It hasn't received much radio play, but it is attracting attention. The National Crime Prevention Council, perhaps best-known for its ads featuring McGruff the Crime Dog, is expressing interest in using the song, and Brown, in radio and TV public service announcements.

"We need to protect the kids by giving them something to do," Brown says. "(It's about) making them interested, making them love mom and dad more, love the family more, love themselves more and love their school. So there won't have to be killing in school."

He repeats the title of the song. "Killing's out and school's in," he says.
High energy

There is some irony here. In the late '80s, Brown was in the news for being accused of assault and battery by his then-wife, then leading police on a car chase and allegedly threatening people with a shotgun. He eventually served two years in prison.

But he also has a long history of working with at-risk children, as well as promoting the importance of education.

In 1966, he cut a single called "Don't Be a Drop-out." That song is one of almost 100 Brown has had on the Billboard charts in the past five decades. It's a list that reads like a history of soul and funk music: "Please, Please, Please," "Night Train," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "I Got You (I Feel Good)," "Cold Sweat," "Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)," "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine," "Living in America."

But he may be even better known for his high-energy performances. In his mid-'60s heyday, not even the Rolling Stones wanted to come on after James Brown -- sweating, prostrate, covered with a cape, the Famous Flames pounding the beat behind him -- was through with the stage.

At 68, he still puts on an energetic show and performs more than 100 times a year.
'I could care less about the record'

Brown has also kept his hand in the movie business, having recently filmed a role in an action comedy with Eddie Griffin called "Undercover Brother," scheduled for release in June 2002.

His other movie appearances include "The Blues Brothers," "Doctor Detroit," and "Rocky IV" -- all in which he plays himself or someone a heck of a lot like himself.

But music, of course, remains at the forefront. Still, even though he hasn't had a hit in more than 15 years, Brown says he's not looking for more gold or platinum with this song.

The kids come first, he maintains.

"We need (people) to come forward to save our country and our kids," he says. "I could care less about the record. If you say you're already into that, you can throw the record away. But we've got to save these children. That's what's important.

"I'm mad," he adds. "We're letting these kids get killed out here and we're not doing anything about it."



Find this article at:
http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/22/james.brown/index.html

[Mysteefied]

Thank you, These are all things I did not know.
I appreciate you posting it here for us to read.

[Dodgergirl]

James Brown's body has not been buried

By KATRINA A. GOGGINS, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 14 minutes ago

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The body of soul singer
James Brown has yet to be buried as attorneys and his children work to settle issues surrounding his estate, including where he will be laid to rest.
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For now, his body lies in a sealed casket in his home on Beech Island, said Charles Reid, manager of the C.A. Reid Funeral Home in Augusta, Ga., which handled the services.

Brown died of heart failure Dec. 25 at age 73. His will has yet to be filed, said Buddy Dallas, an attorney for the singer.

The room where Brown's body lies is being kept at a controlled temperature, and security guards keep watch, Reid said.

The funeral home delivered Brown's body after services Dec. 30, Reid said.

Brown's home has been locked since hours after his death to protect his memorabilia, furnishing, clothes and other personal items, Dallas said.

"Just imagine what would have happened," Dallas said. "Items of James Brown would have left there like items off the shelves of Macy's in an after-Christmas sale."

The trustees for his will, along with Brown's children, will determine the burial site, Dallas said.

Tomi Rae Hynie, Brown's partner, said shortly after his death that she encountered locked gates as she tried to get into the home she says she shared with the singer and their 5-year-old son.

She wouldn't discuss the incident Tuesday, but her lawyer said Hynie should be granted access to the home, although he would not talk about whether Hynie might take legal action.

"The hope is that all parties can sit down and figure out what the problem is and what the challenges are," attorney Thornton Morris said. "And once we figure out what the challenges are we'll see if we can't resolve something that's a win for everybody."

Meanwhile, a woman who claims Brown raped her nearly 20 years ago said Tuesday she will continue her lawsuit.

Jacque Hollander has asked the
U.S. Supreme Court to hear her sexual harassment suit, which a lower court ruled last year she had waited too long to file. A Supreme Court decision on whether to hear the case is pending.

She argues that the two-year statute of limitations in such cases does not provide equal protection to women.

"This has been a long road that ended tragically Christmas morning," Hollander said in a phone interview with the Associated Press.

"As a rape victim, I will never get to face him in court, and it hurts," she said. "But we are moving forward. We filed against his organization, as well as him. So now his organization stands in front of him."

In her lawsuit, Hollander said Brown raped her at gunpoint in 1988 while she was his publicist. She seeks $106 million in damages.

A federal appeals court tossed out Hollander's lawsuit in August.

"There was nothing to it 20 years ago and nothing to it 20 years later," Dallas said.

[Ironhorse]

How sad........