James Brown

A towering figure in the history of 20th century popular music, James Brown was the key architect in the development of soul and funk, which were personified by such propulsive hits as "I Feel Good," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "It's a Man's Man's Man's World," "Cold Sweat," "Super Bad" and other iconic songs. Brown's music also wielded considerable influence over a vast array of other music forms, most notably rap and hip-hop, which built their foundations in part on Brown's jazz-driven drum pattern. His vocal support for civil rights and black empowerment in the 1960s and early 1970s also elevated him from performer to spokesman for a generation of young African-Americans. The incredible legacy of his body of work was among the most exhilarating music ever recorded, and preserved Brown's status as, among other titles, "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business" and "Soul Brother No. 1." James Brown died on December 25, 2006 in Atlanta, GA at the age of 73.