here ya go Ken... It happened one day after he was hospitlized. Here is the Obituary http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061225/ap_on_en_mu/obit_brown Here are a few links that tell about his life, his career and his legacy http://www.godfatherofsoul.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown From NPR: James Brown in Concert. There's a place where you can download the concert onto your MP3 player plus other goodies. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5070028
I grew up in Beech Island, SC - Home of James Brown. Although he was a great entertainer, he seemed to get into trouble fairly regularly. I waited tables when I was in school at a restaurant that James Brown frequented. He was often nice enough to sing a song at the restaurants piano bar before he left. In person he seemed to be a friendly enough fellow - but trouble seemed to follow him. Even though the folks of the Augusta, GA/Beech Island, SC area are familiar with James Brown's spotted past, I was glad to see that one of his last public acts was handing gifts out to needy children. I think there is a little good & bad in all of us and James Brown seemed to have his share of both. The pictures of his wife (??) and mother of his child locked outside the gates of their Beech Island home are a little concerning - but I'm sure the lawyers representing James Brown interests have reasons for everything. James Brown definitely influenced music in tremendous ways. Even though he didn't always display the character traits of what I consider a "great man", he was always a great musician and talented entertainer. Best wishes to the Brown Family. It's always rough to lose a family member - but is seems especially tough on those who lose a loved one unexpectedly during the holidays. There are lots of stories currently featuring James Brown, his life & his memorial in the Augusta Chronicle - www.augustachronicle.com
