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James Brown Facts

James Brown Facts
James Brown was an American musician, singer, record producer, and dancer who became a major influence in funk and popular music in the 20th century and earned the nickname The Godfather of Soul. He was born James Joseph Brown on May 3rd, 1933 in Barnwell, South Carolina, to Susie Behling and Joseph Gardner Brown. His name was meant to be Joseph James not James Joseph but it was accidentally reversed on his birth certificate. He was raised in poverty and even lived in an aunt's brothel for a time. James Brown left school when he was in sixth grade and began to focus on music as a way to get by. While in prison as a teenager for robbery James Brown formed a gospel quartet with other inmates, which may have potentially helped him gain early release.
Interesting James Brown Facts:
James Brown was born in a one room shack into extreme poverty.
As a child James Brown danced for pennies for soldiers at Fort Gordon.
James Brown used to shine shoes, beginning at 3 cents and eventually 6 cents.
James Brown had stated that he was 9 years old before he had a pair of underwear purchased from a real store. Prior to then he had worn clothing made from material from sacks and other used items.
James Brown was 12 when he was sent home from school due to insufficient clothing.
James Brown turned to music and the church choir as a child.
As a teenager James Brown got into trouble with the law but music helped him redirect his focus.
For a few years James Brown was involved in boxing and semi-pro baseball.
Bobby Byrd invited James Brown to join The Gospel Starlighters in 1955. It was an R&B group. The group renamed as The Famous Flames and James began to dominate the group.
The group's song Please, Please, Please was released in 1956 and hit No. 6 on R&B charts within months.
James Brown's group The Flames opened for B.B. King and Ray Charles.
James moved to New York and recorded Try Me and hit No. 1 on the R&B charts.
James Brown's first song to break into the pop charts was Prisoner of Love, which peaked at No. 2.
James Brown toured throughout the 50s and 60s constantly. He was often referred to as the Hardest Working Man in Show Business.
James Brown recorded a live concert at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem on October 24, 1962, which became his greatest commercial success to that date.
James Brown was reported dead by a news anchor in 1992 but it was a mistake.
James Brown was married four times. He is known to have at least 9 children but there may actually be 13.
James Brown has been named in many lists as being one of the top artists of all time, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He died on Christmas Day in 2006 at the age of 73, due to congestive heart failure and pneumonia.


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