The self styled "Hardest working man in showbusiness," has died this morning. Also known as the Godfather of Funk, James Brown had recently been seen on BBC3 as part of the Electronic Proms series and though his voice may not have been up to classic standards, the old bugger could still move with the best of them.
The most successful R n B artist of all time influenced artists from the wide spectrum that is popular music, from Elvis Presley to Mick Jagger, even The Jam and Primal Scream named two of their albums after lyrics in two of his songs. Brown's professional legend was built around his touring and his singles in the sixties, his personal legend was built around his rise from shoeshine boy to superstar, with stop offs in prison for robbery and threatening behaviour with a firearm.
In terms of his albums, James Brown fell in with the same company as The Kinks, The Who, The Stone Roses and The Beach Boys in that more Greatest Hits albums have been released under his name then he ever had hits or albums!
We played an album of his I picked up in France about six years ago this afternoon and like all good music it's timeless.
What a pity he may well be remembered for one of his songs featuring in an advert for a hot drinks maker! Still, I guess it was time to take it to the bridge eh JB?
2 comments:
I thought BB King was hardworking when I heard he still does 200 gigs a year at 80 years old. This is part-time work compared to James Brown, isn't it?
Perhaps BB didn't have as many fines and wives to pay for - just old Lucille!
Post a Comment