The 'Godfather Of Soul' died today

James Brown singer and songwriter has died today (December 25) at the age of 73 after being admitted to hospital in Atlanta suffering with pneumonia.

His agent Frank Copsidas confirmed that he had died at 1.45am local time (6.45am UK time).

According to Copsidas the singer first became aware that he was seriously ill when he visited his dentist at the weekend.

"On Friday (December 22) he had his toy giveaway, which is his annual toy giveaway in Augusta, Georgia," the agent told the BBC World Service. "On Saturday, he went to his dentist up in Atlanta, and his dentist told him something was wrong, and he sent him to a doctor immediately."

The singer died with his long term friend Charles Bobbit at his bedside.

Brown was responsible for both key moments in soul music's evolution: being at the birth of both R&B and funk, earning him the name "the Godfather Of Soul".

Subsequently, his became one of the most sampled artists by a new generation of rappers and producers.

His most famous and influential songs included 'Get Up (I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine)', 'I Got You (I Feel Good)', 'Papa's Got A Brand New Bag' and 'Make It Funky'.

His 'Live At The Apollo' (1963) album is considered to be one of the greatest live albums ever.

Brown was born in 1933 in Barnwell, South Carolina.


Source: NME