Well, even if James Brown was one of the most important figures of the 20th century, he did not have an easy childhood. The musician and his family lived in an unimaginable poverty. His parents divorced, though, when he was only two years old. After his mother abandoned him, James Brown was raised by his father, then send to an aunt. While James Brown was always surrounded by relatives, the truth is that he mostly lived on his own. He was a troubled teenager, as he dropped out of school in the seventh grade and he was even involved in an armed robbery, for which he was convicted and sent to juvenile detention.

Further on, James Brown soon met Bobby Byrd, an upcoming R&B legend. James Brown was spotted by Byrd during a performance given by him at the reform school he was still attending. It was Byrd who got Brown an early release, because the artist did not want James to waste his talent in such a school. It did not take long until James Brown started to focus more on music. And the rest is legend. James Brown had a significant contribution to the development of many musical genres. Among his most notable albums we can recall ‘Live at the Apollo’, ‘In the Jungle Groove’, ‘Star Time’, and ’20 All-Time Greatest Hits!’.

Who does know the famous singles ‘Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag’, ‘I Feel Good’, ‘Get Up Sex Machine’, ‘Please, Please, Please’, ‘It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World’ and ‘Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud’? The musical career of James Brown is too long and award-winning to be summarized in only a few paragraphs. Besides music, James Brown was also successful as an actor, starring in numerous films, like ‘Rocky IV’, ‘The Blues Brothers’, ‘Holy Man’ and ‘The Tuxedo’.

Unfortunately, James Brown left this world in 2006, due to an untreated pneumonia. His death marked the end of an era, but there is no doubt that his legacy will keep on living and that James Brown will remain forever in people’s hearts. James Brown will definitely be remembered as one of the most important music personalities of all times.