James Brown was famous for being a singer, songwriter, arranger, and dancer. His rhythm was mainly blues, which gained him much popularity. James was most famous during the late 1950’s through the 1970’s. His popularity and hard work named him as “The Hardest-Working Man in Show Business.” He was also known as “The Godfather of Soul.”

Facts in Brief

Birth- May 3, 1933
Raised- Augusta, Georgia by his aunt
Living Style- lived in poverty
Famous For- being in movies and being a great rhythm-and-blues artist

James was born on May 3, 1933. He was raised by his aunt in the city of Augusta, Georgia. He moved to his aunt’s house at the age of five after his parents got divorced. James grew up in poverty during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. When Brown was in grade school he was sent home because he has “insufficient clothes.” This experience would effect James as an adult such as him wearing expensive coats, velour jumpsuits, elaborate capes, and gold jewelry. Brown’s first singing and dancing experience was on street corners trying to make money. When Brown was 16 he and some friends were arrested while breaking into cars. He was sentenced eight to sixteen years. He was then released after 3 years for good behavior (Britannica, 558) (Britannica.com, 1)

While James was at the Alto Reform School, he started a gospel quartet. They called themselves “The Flames”, but later on changed their names to “The Famous Flames.” This group soon attracted the attention of rythym-and-blues and rock-and-roll shouter Little Richard, whose manager helped promote the group.(Britannica.com, 1)

Ralph Bass, the artists and repertoire man for the King label, was amazed by their demo record. Bass took the group to Cincinnati, Ohio, and recorded, an album. Syd Nathan, the label’s owner, hated Brown’s first recording, “Please, Please, Please.”(1956) The record eventually sold three-million copies and launched Brown’s extraordinary career. Brown also placed nearly one-hundred singles and almost fifty albums on the best seller charts. He broke new ground with two of the first successful “live and in concert” albums. His landmark “Live at the Apollo” (1963), stayed on the charts for sixty-six weeks. His 1964 follow-up, “Pure Dynamite,” live at the Royal, charted for twenty-two weeks. (Britannica.com, 1)

Many other million-selling singles, including “I Cant Stand Myself,” “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” and “It’s a Man’s Man’s World,” brought him to a position of unchallenged pre-eminence in the field of rhythm and blues. He’s also got songs that relate to black nationality, such as “Say it Loud- I’m Black and I’m Proud,” “Don’t Be a Drop-Out,” and “I Don’t Want Nobody To Give Me Nothin(Open The Door, I’ll Get It Myself).” (Britannica, 558)

Brown was annoyed by the fact that the American public was neglecting its native “down home” music. Brown organized his own troupe to tour the country with the “genuine article.”
Brown is America’s leading exponent of big-beat “soul” music, a highly personal blending of blues and gospel forms with a nice beat.

By late 1970, Brown’s career was waning, and he was plagued by demands for back taxes, a nagging drug problem, and a combative relationship with his third wife.

In 1980, Brown appeared in the movie “Blues Brothers.” In 1981 and 1982, he was touring his show across the country.

Problems with his marriage and confrontations with law authorities resulted in his arrest and finally, in 1989, he was sentenced to six years in jail after being prosecuted for fleeing police on a high-speed chase through two states.

In conclusion, James Brown was a great recording artist. His popular rythym-and-blues led him to fame and fortune. Brown was not only a recording artist, but an accomplished movie actor. He recorded many songs and performed in many movies throughout his life. He is still looked at as “The Godfather of Soul.” He has made a great contribution to the music industry.