James Brown

James Brown was an American singer, songwriter and bandleader. He was commonly referred to as “Soul Brother Number One,” “The Godfather of Soul,” “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business,” “Mr. Dynamite” and even “The Original Disco Man.” He rose to fame during the late 1950s and early 1960s due to his thrilling performances and numerous smash hits.

Brown was born on May 3, 1933 in the town of Barnwell, South Carolina to Susie and Joseph Gardner. Brown lived in extreme poverty. As a child, he picked cotton, shined shoes, traded old stamps, washed cars and sang in talent contests. At the age of 16, he was caught and convicted of armed robbery and sent to a juvenile detention center. While at the center, Brown became acquainted with Bobby Byrd, who admired his ability to sing and perform. Eventually, Byrd's family helped Brown secure an early release.

After his release, Brown tried to get into boxing and baseball, however, a leg injury forced him to pursue music full-time. In 1953, Brown joined the Gospel Starlighters, a vocal quartet led by Byrd. The group later changed its name to the Famous Flames and Brown became the focal point of the act. When the Famous Flames disbanded in 1970, Byrd and Brown employed a new band called “The J.B.'s,” which debuted on Brown's 1970 single “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine.”

Over the years, Brown amassed 800 songs in his repertoire and recorded songs for various labels. He also appeared in the film “The Blues Brothers.” On January 23, 1986, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Brown died from congestive heart failure resulting from complications of pneumonia on December 25, 2006 at the age of 73.