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James Brown Biography

Singer / Songwriter

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Name at birth: James Joe Brown, Jr.

Singer James Brown was a founding inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and one of the most influential popular musicians of the 20th century. He came out of poverty and prison to record hit singles like "Night Train" (1962), "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)" (both 1965), "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" (1968), and "Get on the Good Foot" (1972). His inventive mix of gospel, R&B and primal rock and roll is credited with bringing funk to popular music, and with breaking ground not only for funk and soul but for disco music and rap as well. His personal life was equally notorious; he was arrested and jailed several times for misuse of drugs, alcohol, guns and vehicles and for domestic disputes with his four wives. Despite all that, Brown toured relentlessly throughout his life, and his sweaty, energetic, hard-dancing performances earned him the nickname of "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business." He was inducted into the Rock Hall in 1986 (along with other founding members like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley) and was awarded the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 2003.

Extra credit: According to the Rock Hall of Fame, Brown's nicknames include "'Soul Brother Number One,' 'the Godfather of Soul,' 'the Hardest Working Man in Show Business,' 'Mr. Dynamite' and even 'the Original Disco Man'"... Brown is no relation to Jim Brown, the professional football running back.