James Brown, RIP

Christmas is less merry with the news that the Godfather of Soul is gone at age 73.

James Brown was, well, James Brown. He built the rhythmic foundation for modern popular music. Brown is among a handful of artists who crossed back-and-forth between genres without selling out along the way.

Brown was so influential that he even made Al Gore dance. I saw it with my own two eyes at Wolf Trap in the early 90s when JB shamed the VP into leaving his box seat and joining Brown on stage. Gore attempted to bring the funk, but not even the Godfather could find Al's good foot.

So at some point today, be sure to get up offa that thing and try to release some pressure. JB would want it that way.

Comments

Gerry Tripwell | December 25, 2006, 7:49am | #

I don't feel good!

Warren | December 25, 2006, 8:37am | #

Do You See The Light!?

Guy Montag | December 25, 2006, 9:36am | #

This makes my Rachel Corrie Pancake Breakfast more surreal.

monkeylicious | December 25, 2006, 11:00am | #

I once heard a song about this but I thought it was a metaphor.

Guy Montag | December 25, 2006, 1:53pm | #

Don't forget the political angle: He was a big supporter of President Richard M. Nixon.

cliff | December 25, 2006, 1:55pm | #

God bless the "Godfather of Soul". I will miss him and I'm sure that I am not alone on that.

jgray09 | December 25, 2006, 5:06pm | #

metonymy, monkeylicious?

Jim Walsh | December 25, 2006, 6:51pm | #

Damn! Damn, damn, damn, damn...

Brad | December 25, 2006, 8:22pm | #

I only hope that Heaven is getting its' groove on (as we mourn) with an afterlife performance by the Godfather of Soul himself. Rest in Peace James Brown.

Isaac Bartram | December 25, 2006, 9:12pm | #

The Godfather of Soul has gone to his rest, wherever that is. But he lives on with the body of work that he has left to us and future generations.

So with the sadness of his passing I also feel the joy that his songs have given me over the years.

GWB | December 25, 2006, 9:25pm | #

As a Tribute to His Greatness........
Legalize PCP!

monkeylicious | December 25, 2006, 10:11pm | #

I consider myself a fairly hardcore libertarian—and definitely an opponent of the Drug War—and I still think that PCP should be verboten.

Isaac Bartram | December 25, 2006, 11:31pm | #

Uh, monkeylicious, care to explain WHY?

Grand Chalupa | December 26, 2006, 1:24am | #

Give us a damn open Christmas thread, you lazy bums. That's it, I'm going to Free Republic.

Godfrey | December 26, 2006, 1:27am | #

Never did care for Brown's music but I suppose many of the bands I enjoy were probably influenced by him to some degree. Plus he gets some coolness points for dying on Christmas.

Rest in peace, James.

Guy Montag | December 26, 2006, 6:18am | #

Grand Chalupa,

Watch out for the fruitcake.

Mr. Nice Guy | December 26, 2006, 9:06am | #

The man is clearly a legend. Anyone who can stop a massive riot with just one "HUH!" is one very powerful individual, to say the least.

Great man. Great music.

fat man at the buffet line | December 26, 2006, 11:00am | #

Best James Brown Line:Sometimes I get to feeling so good I cant stand myself!!!!!!!!!!

GWB | December 26, 2006, 11:07am | #

monkeylicious,

You may now officially stop calling yourself a "hardcore libertarian".Aside from the grossly overblown drug war hysteria regarding PCP,how about the principle that it is not the State's business to determine what you do with your own body? What else should be verboten by monkeylicious' standards of State Prohibition? Steroids, anti-biotics, trans-fats, marijuana, heroin, human growth hormone, silicone breast implants, foies gras, fugu,LSD,unsafe sex,horsemeat, Ritalin, Celebrex,Thalidomide? etc. Do you believe tha a "State Liscensed Professional" should be able to over-ride the prohibition when he determines it is for the individuals or society's greater good?
I do not consider myself a "hardcore libertarian" (against privatization of all public/common property ,conditionally support war beyond our physical borders etc.) but that the State has no power/right to prohibit my consumption of "property" is ideologically non-negotiable.

Guy Montag | December 26, 2006, 11:45am | #

Before you revenuer types get too crazy with this banning nonsense, stay away from my guns and hybrids.

highnumber | December 26, 2006, 12:04pm | #

I cried when I heard the news.
Too soon

Ken Shultz | December 26, 2006, 12:11pm | #

"Don't forget the political angle: He was a big supporter of President Richard M. Nixon."

Never mind "I'm Black and I'm Proud"--the important thing is that he supported President Nixon?

Jack | December 26, 2006, 12:32pm | #

So which lawyer wants to take on Brown's breach of contract suit against Satan? He should have still had 45+ years left under his contract renewal:

http://usa.bmwfilms.com/clap.asp?template=delivery&country=u
sa&film=beatthedevil&bypassreg=Y

Guy Montag | December 26, 2006, 12:40pm | #

Ken Shultz,

It certainly is a fact, important or not. Not sure why you elevated it to "the important thing", unless my mention of it makes it important and in that case I say you are bestowing much more importance on me and my words than either deserves in this matter.

smacky | December 26, 2006, 11:54pm | #

He got one thing right for certain:

it's a man's world


RIP

highnumber | December 27, 2006, 11:56am | #

smacky,

But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl

NOT A BROWN FAN....... | December 30, 2006, 6:56am | #

does anyone remember this part about him....lets throw a parade for Ike too....

Godfather of Soul" James Brown, 70, was arrested by Aiken County cops in January 2004 and charged with domestic violence after allegedly pushing his wife to the floor during an argument at the couple's South Carolina home. Tommie Rea Brown, 33, suffered "scratches and bruises to her right arm and hip" during the bedroom dispute, according to investigators.