James Brown: The Godfather of Soul

by James Brown, Bruce Tucker

James Brown's explosive biography is now the major Hollywood film directed by Tate Taylor (THE HELP) and produced by Mick Jagger, GET ON UP.

James Brown: A man who played 350 shows a year at his peak. Who broke the colour barrier of 1950s and '60s pop. Who supported the Civil Rights movement through his music, playing a racially charged Boston in the hours after Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination and travelling to Vietnam to support black troops. Who won and lost several fortunes. And who became one of the greatest musical innovators of all time...

In his own words, this is the incredible life story of the Godfather of Soul, giving the inside story of his life and music, taking the reader on a journey from his impoverished childhood to his evolution into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

With photos, unmissable anecdotes about Little Richard, Elvis, Tina Turner, Otis Redding, Tammi Terrell, Michael Jackson, and many others, plus an updated introduction and epilogue and an exhaustive discography.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

423 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

James Joseph Brown, commonly referred to as "The Godfather of Soul" and "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business", was a two-time Grammy Award-winning and mutiple Grammy Award-nominated American entertainer recognized as one of the most influential figures in 20th century popular music. He was renowned for his shouting vocals, feverish dancing and unique rhythmic style.

As a prolific singer, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer, Brown was a pivotal force in the evolution of gospel and rhythm and blues into soul and funk. He left his mark on numerous other musical genres, including rock, jazz, disco, dance and electronic music, reggae and hip hop. Brown's music also left its mark on the rhythms of African popular music, such as afrobeat, jùjú and mbalax, and provided a template for go-go music.

Brown began his professional music career in 1953, and rose to fame during the late 1950s and early 1960s on the strength of his thrilling live performances and string of smash hits. In spite of various personal problems and setbacks he continued to score hits in every decade through to the 1980s. In addition to his acclaim in music, Brown was a presence in American political affairs during the 1960s and 1970s, noted especially for his activism on behalf of fellow African Americans and the poor. During the early 1980s, Brown's music helped to shape the rhythms of early hip-hop music, with many groups looping or sampling his funk grooves and turning them into what became hip hop classics and the foundations of this music genre.

Brown was recognized by a plethora of (mostly self-bestowed) titles, including Soul Brother Number One, Sex Machine, Mr. Dynamite, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, Minister of The New New Super Heavy Funk, Mr. Please Please Please, The Boss, and the best-known, the Godfather of Soul.

Reviews

[John Lyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a new interest in, and respect for, James Brown after reading his book. He sounds like a fine person who tried to help others through his own success. He was certainly a very dedicated performer and hard worker. He overcame obstacles that would have broken many others.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Harrison Rip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Fascinating window into how to succeed against the worst odds. He had it rough and truly nailed it.

[liza · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can make a game up to play along with this, its called "how many times does he say mashed potato"!