James Brown, who died Monday at 73, was often referred to as "Mr. Dynamite." His sparks influenced a generation of popular culture. Without Brown there wouldn't have been many stars.
December 31, 2006 (Press Release) --
Michael Jackson
Brown first spotted Jackson in 1964 at a talent show at the original Regal Theatre in Chicago. This was one of Brown's warmest memories of Chicago. Jackson studied at the feet of the master. Brown had perfected "The Camel Walk," adding suggestive dance steps to Louis Jordan lyrics he heard as a kid. Many people think Jackson's "Moonwalk" was adapted from "The Camel Walk," but Brown pointed out that Jackson was actually doing "The Bicycle," an old Charlie Chaplin bit where the diminutive actor rode a bicycle backward.
Prince
In 1984, Prince and Michael Jackson dropped by to see Brown at the Beverly Theater in Los Angeles. If that's not weird enough, Jackson sang "It's a Man's Man's Man's World." In his 1986 biography James Brown (The Godfather of Soul), Brown wrote, "Prince played some guitar, but I think he was a little nervous because Michael fit into my thing a little better since Michael had been studying me for years. But later on Prince studied, and he got into it real good."
Break-dancing
In the summer of 1972, Brown had a hit with "Get on the Good Foot (Pts. 1 & 2)," where he laid down positive raps over a grinding, winding funky beat. Hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa said this song gave birth to break-dancing. In 1984, Bambaataa, a k a Zulu Funk Overlord, collaborated with Brown on "Unity," a superb dance LP for Tommy Boy Records.
'The Super Bowl Shuffle'
Think about it.
Snoop Dogg
"That's my godfather, my soul inspiration, the hardest-working man in show business of all time," the rapper said after Brown's death. "He'll be missed, but his legacy will live on through me in every way you can imagine."
Fela
The late African jazz musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti first visited the United States in 1968. He returned to his home in Lagos, Nigeria, enamored with the writings of Malcolm X and the funk of James Brown. Fela was particularly tuned into Brown's "Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud." In a 1986 interview Fela told me, "I found James Brown to be very deeply African, which moved me. He gave me some vibes." In the late 1960s, Fela began meshing Brown's funk with Afro-Beat and his polyrhythmic jazz base to create the most prodigious work of his short career.
Source: http://www.msn.com
POSTED BY DAVE HOEKSTRA
Brown first spotted Jackson in 1964 at a talent show at the original Regal Theatre in Chicago. This was one of Brown's warmest memories of Chicago. Jackson studied at the feet of the master. Brown had perfected "The Camel Walk," adding suggestive dance steps to Louis Jordan lyrics he heard as a kid. Many people think Jackson's "Moonwalk" was adapted from "The Camel Walk," but Brown pointed out that Jackson was actually doing "The Bicycle," an old Charlie Chaplin bit where the diminutive actor rode a bicycle backward.
Prince
In 1984, Prince and Michael Jackson dropped by to see Brown at the Beverly Theater in Los Angeles. If that's not weird enough, Jackson sang "It's a Man's Man's Man's World." In his 1986 biography James Brown (The Godfather of Soul), Brown wrote, "Prince played some guitar, but I think he was a little nervous because Michael fit into my thing a little better since Michael had been studying me for years. But later on Prince studied, and he got into it real good."
Break-dancing
In the summer of 1972, Brown had a hit with "Get on the Good Foot (Pts. 1 & 2)," where he laid down positive raps over a grinding, winding funky beat. Hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa said this song gave birth to break-dancing. In 1984, Bambaataa, a k a Zulu Funk Overlord, collaborated with Brown on "Unity," a superb dance LP for Tommy Boy Records.
'The Super Bowl Shuffle'
Think about it.
Snoop Dogg
"That's my godfather, my soul inspiration, the hardest-working man in show business of all time," the rapper said after Brown's death. "He'll be missed, but his legacy will live on through me in every way you can imagine."
Fela
The late African jazz musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti first visited the United States in 1968. He returned to his home in Lagos, Nigeria, enamored with the writings of Malcolm X and the funk of James Brown. Fela was particularly tuned into Brown's "Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud." In a 1986 interview Fela told me, "I found James Brown to be very deeply African, which moved me. He gave me some vibes." In the late 1960s, Fela began meshing Brown's funk with Afro-Beat and his polyrhythmic jazz base to create the most prodigious work of his short career.
Source: http://www.msn.com
POSTED BY DAVE HOEKSTRA
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