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Top 15 Amazing Facts about James Brown

Originally published by Faith in January 2023 and Updated by Julius R in January 2024

The American Songwriter, singer and dancer is considered to be one of the most influential musical personalities of the 20^th century. His musical prowess earned him several titles like The Godfather of Soul, Soul Brother Number One, Mr Dynamite and Hardest Working Man in Show Business. His amorous vocals and his unique and spirited dancing style made him a pioneer in the field of music.

Therefore, this article will explore some amazing facts about the musical genius that people in the genre of soul, R&B and modern funk owe a lot to. The article will give the reader insight into how the legend came to be an icon in his career and why he is so celebrated in the music industry.

1 He was born into a poor family

James Joseph Brown was born in a rickety wooden hut without windows, running water, a toilet, electricity, and gas, in the pine forest near Barnwell, South Carolina, in either 1933 or 1928. He was an only child who lived in poverty with no neighbours within ten miles, wore rags, and lacked shoes.

When he was four years old, his mother left because his violent and alcoholic father had tried to kill her. From a young age, Brown spent most of his time by himself because his father was away working in the turpentine camps and his wives didn’t remain around for very long to take care of little James.

2 He is the most sampled artist

James Brown’s music is sampled more than any other singer or group. Over 3,000 times, different artists have used his music. Public Enemy, who is the second-most sampled musician, only has slightly more than half of Brown’s total. The fact that musicians are still appropriating bits of the “Godfather of Soul’s” work to advance their careers speaks volumes about how far ahead of his time he was. The music industry was completely revolutionised by Brown’s distinctive rhythms and voice.

3 He was instrumental in keeping the peace

The day after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, James Brown was instrumental in keeping the peace. He was scheduled to play in Boston but city officials were worried that riots would occur as the assassination was still fresh on people’s minds instead of cancelling the show, James Brown was confident that he would ease the tension. This truly happened as people remained in their homes to watch his show that was being televised instead of going out to riot.

4 He was a perfectionist

From his bandmates, James Brown expected nothing less than perfection. The “Hardest Working Man in Show Business,” he demanded of his musicians and backing singers and dancers that they match his unwavering focus on detail. It was expected that Brown’s bandmates would arrive for every concert on time and in appropriate attire. They would be penalized or fired if they didn’t comply. They additionally had to be fully sober, and Brown was quick to dismiss any employees who he believed to be intoxicated during a performance or rehearsal.

5 He was sent to prison

James Brown had encounters with the police from time to time as he was an unruly teen and by the time he was 16 years old, he was sent to a juvenile detention centre in Georgia. This was after he had been convicted of robbery. While there he started singing and he teamed up with his cellmates to form a quartet. It was in Juvenile detention that he had his nickname Music Box because of his ability to sing

6 He was into sports

Music may have been James Brown’s true calling from the beginning, but he had other interests when he was younger. In particular, baseball and boxing were two sports that Brown enjoyed watching. Before a leg injury prematurely put an end to his ambitions, he took both of them extremely seriously when he was a youngster. He remained a devoted follower nonetheless, especially of baseball.

7 He launched a record label

In 1971, James Brown launched a record label known as People Records Label. The record label was famed for producing and releasing some of the most captivating dance tunes that were ever committed to tape. Some of the songs produced by the record label include; I know You Got Soul by Bobby Bryd, Cross The Track, Gimme Some and Soul Power 74 by Maceo and The Macks.

8 His eyebrows used to fall off

When James Brown grew old, his eyebrows started falling off which meant that he remained with a small amount of brows. To ensure that he looked presentable he tattooed his brows permanently to keep a presentable look on stage as his brows kept thinning as he got older at a fast rate and thus make him look weird.

9 He never had a song at number one on the Billboard

Few performers or ensembles have sold more records than James Brown. Yet despite having an incredibly successful career that lasted for several decades, Brown never had a song that came to the first position on the Billboard Hot 100. Coming in at number three, “I Got You (I Feel Good)” was quite close. However, Brown played by the rules of consistency, which is why his music has sold more than 50 million CDs.

10 His cape routine

James Brown’s performances featured the trademark dances that featured him doing flips, splits and twists. He also had a cape routine that was inspired by Gorgeous George who was a wrestler. Therefore, James Brown borrowed this idea and while on stage, he would shake the cape off while his band sang in the background. This act excited the fans and kept them enthralled.

11.James faced a lot of legal challenges in his life

James Brown faced legal problems, like getting arrested and going to jail, at different times in his life. Despite these challenges, he stayed important in the music world. Even though he had to deal with legal issues, his influence on music didn’t fade away. Brown’s troubles with the law included things like arrests and spending time in prison, but he didn’t let these problems stop him from being a big name in the music industry.

People knew him for his energetic performances and his impact on soul and funk music. Despite his personal struggles, he continued to make a mark in the music world, showing that his talent and influence were strong enough to overcome tough times. James Brown’s legacy goes beyond his legal problems, and his contributions to music are still remembered and celebrated.

12. He received several Grammy Awards throughout his career

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Over his long career, James Brown racked up an impressive number of honors, including many Grammy Awards. James Brown won his first Grammy in 1965 for his smash hit “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag”  1965. That was just the beginning. Over the next decades, he won Grammys for songs like “Living in America” 1985 and even a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992.

This special award is only given to performers who have made major contributions over many years. His unique style, energetic performances, and innovative contributions to genres like soul and funk earned him not only popular acclaim but also formal recognition from the music establishment. Beyond Grammy Awards, Brown received numerous other honors, underlining his significant role in shaping the landscape of modern music.

13. His hairstyles were almost as famous as his music

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James Brown’s hairstyles were almost as famous as his music and he had a unique look with a puffy pompadour and a V-shaped hairline. Many people copied his cool hairstyle, and it became a trend for a long time. His special look wasn’t just about music; it was also about being stylish. People loved it so much that even other performers wanted to look like him. James Brown didn’t just influence music; he was also a trendsetter in how people dressed and styled their hair.

Impressionists and comedians mocked his hairstyle for decades. Later artists like Prince channeled his hair in tribute. That jet-black bouffant pompadour remains an iconic symbol of James Brown’s electrifying stage presence and trailblazing musical innovations.

14. James Brown’s cape act became one of his signature moves

James Brown’s cape act was a signature move that added drama and excitement to his live performances. During the act, as he delivered an intense and energetic performance, he would pretend to be overwhelmed by the music and would “collapse” on stage. In response, a cape would be draped over his shoulders, and he would be escorted off the stage as if he couldn’t continue.

As Brown was being escorted off, he would often break free from the cape, return to the microphone, and continue the performance with renewed energy. The cape act became a memorable and entertaining part of his shows, showcasing not only his musical talent but also his showmanship and ability to engage and thrill his audience.

15. Brown also made appearances in several films

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James Brown made appearances in several films, showcasing his versatility and extending his influence beyond the music industry. He made appearances in several in “The Blues Brothers”  1980 and “Rocky IV,”1985. In “The Blues Brothers,” he played a character called Reverend Cleophus James and had a lively performance in a church scene. In “Rocky IV,” he appeared as himself, singing the song “Living in America” 1985 during a boxing match.

These movie roles showed that James Brown could entertain not only with his music but also on the big screen, making him a star in more ways than one. These film appearances not only highlighted James Brown’s acting abilities but also further solidified his status as a cultural icon with a presence that extended beyond the stage and recording studio.

In conclusion James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, left an indelible mark on music and culture with his electrifying performances, innovative contributions to funk and soul, and iconic stage presence which made him a true legend.