James Brown: The Soulful Symphony of a Legendary Life

We're honoring the timeless rhythms of the Godfather of Soul on what would have been his 90th birthday.

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Live at the Apollo - After scoring several hit singles with the Famous Flames, including "Please, Please, Please" (1956), "Try Me" (1958) and "Night Train" (1962), James Brown bankrolls a live recording of his performance at the famous Apollo Theater. Convincing a reluctant Syd Nathan, head of King Records, to back a live LP, James releases his first album Live at the Apollo in 1963. The LP becomes an instant hit.  (Photo: Polydor Records) 
A Brand New Bag - James Brown hits Billboard's pop singles charts for the first time in 1965 when he writes and releases his seminal classic "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag." Armed with an exceptionally tight rhythm, where all the instruments are being played percussively, the song is credited with being the first record to define funk as a sound or recognize it as an emerging genre.   (Photo: Polydor Records)All Aboard.... The Night Train - America witnesses the atomic power of the James Brown show as the "Godfather of Soul" performs in the concert film T.A.M.I. Show on December 29, 1964. While the showcase features successful pop acts like Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and The Beach Boys, James is undeniably the highlight and absolute show-stopper. So much so that when the Rolling Stones perform afterwards, lead singer Mick Jagger attempts an imitation of Brown.  (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) 

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James Brown was, without question, one of the most influential music artists of the last half century. He was an innovator of soul music and the master pioneer of funk. His body of work (both as a dancer and producer) helped birth hip hop music and dance. His influence as an entertainer spans the world from Fela Kuti to Bob Marley to Michael Jackson. Brown passed away in 2006 at the age of 73, but today would have marked his 90th birthday. Here's a look at the career highlights of the hardest working man in show business.

Photo By (Photo by Rita Barros/Getty Images)

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