| Edition |
1st ed. |
| Description |
455 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
Give the drummer some -- A certain elemental wildness -- The Terry -- The Black Satchel -- Toccoa -- A New Orleans choo-choo -- Top banana -- The traveler -- Star time -- Keep on fighting -- The cape act -- Man's world -- Ghost notes -- America -- How you gonna get respect? -- Color TVs and dashikis -- The other further -- Master of time -- Soul power -- Follow the money -- Emulsified -- The hustle -- I can see the light! -- An uproar all the time -- The dancer -- Hit it and quit it. |
| Summary |
A tribute to the life and achievements of the "Godfather of Soul" covers his unconventional youth in a segregated South, his complicated family life, and his work as a civil rights advocate and entrepreneur. |
|
The definitive biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, with fascinating findings on his life as a Civil Rights activist, an entrepreneur, and the most innovative musician of our time. Playing 350 shows a year at his peak, with more than forty Billboard hits, James Brown was a dazzling showman who transformed American music. His life offstage was just as vibrant, and until now no biographer has delivered a complete profile. This book on interviews with more than 100 people who knew Brown personally or played with him professionally. Using these sources, award-winning writer RJ Smith draws a portrait of a man whose twisted and amazing life helps us to understand the music he made. This book delves deeply into the story of a man who was raised in abject-almost medieval-poverty in the segregated South but grew up to earn (and lose) several fortunes. Covering everything from Brown's unconventional childhood (his aunt ran a bordello), to his role in the Black Power movement, which used 'Say It Loud (I'm Black and Proud)' as its anthem, to his high-profile friendships, to his complicated family life, Smith's meticulous research and sparkling prose blend biography with a cultural history of a pivotal era. At the heart is Brown's musical genius. He had crucial influence as an artist during at least three decades; he inspires pity, awe, and revulsion. As Smith traces the legend's reinvention of funk, soul, R&B, and pop, he gives this history a melody all its own. -- Publisher description |
| Subject |
Brown, James, 1933-2006.
|
|
Brown, James, 1933-2006. |
|
Soul musicians -- United States -- Biography.
|
|
Soul musicians. |
|
United States. |
| Genre/Form |
Biographies.
|
|
Biographies.
|
| ISBN |
9781592406579 |
|
1592406572 |
|
1592407420 |
|
9781592407422 |
| Standard No. |
40021086218 |
|
