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Tributes paid to Soul star Brown Tributes paid to soul star Brown
(about 10 hours later)
Tributes have been paid to singer James Brown, known as the "Godfather of Soul", who has died at the age of 73.Tributes have been paid to singer James Brown, known as the "Godfather of Soul", who has died at the age of 73.
He was admitted to hospital in Atlanta with severe pneumonia, but died at 0145 local time (0645 GMT) on Monday. US civil rights leader, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, said Brown was a cultural, political and social force.
The star was famous for hits including I Got You (I Feel Good), Papa's Got a Brand New Bag and Living in America. "They call him Godfather of Soul - if soul means feeling and passion and pathos and cultural sensitivity he embodied soul," said Mr Jackson.
He "changed the music industry", US civil rights leader Al Sharpton said. "He put everybody on a different beat, a different style of music." Famous for hits like Sex Machine, Brown died unexpectedly on Monday in hospital in Atlanta after suffering pneumonia.
"He pioneered it."
'Dramatic to the end''Dramatic to the end'
Flowers have been laid at a statue of the soul superstar in his home city of Augusta, Georgia, where Mayor Deke Copenhaver described his friend as "just a wonderful giving man".Flowers have been laid at a statue of the soul superstar in his home city of Augusta, Georgia, where Mayor Deke Copenhaver described his friend as "just a wonderful giving man".
US singer Little Richard said he was an innovator, emancipator and originator.US singer Little Richard said he was an innovator, emancipator and originator.
"Rap music, all that stuff came from James Brown.""Rap music, all that stuff came from James Brown."
He "changed the music industry", US civil rights leader Al Sharpton said. "He put everybody on a different beat, a different style of music."
"He pioneered it."
Connor McNicholas, editor of the NME music magazine, said Brown appealed to successive generations.Connor McNicholas, editor of the NME music magazine, said Brown appealed to successive generations.
"This was a guy who came from a very deprived background, and knew that the route to success was young music buyers, so as every generation went through he was very keen to make sure that he updated his sound and made sure that he stayed relevant.""This was a guy who came from a very deprived background, and knew that the route to success was young music buyers, so as every generation went through he was very keen to make sure that he updated his sound and made sure that he stayed relevant."
A friend who was with Brown when he died said he would like people to know "he was a man who preached love from the stage."A friend who was with Brown when he died said he would like people to know "he was a man who preached love from the stage."
"He was a true humanitarian who loved his country," Charles Bobbit said."He was a true humanitarian who loved his country," Charles Bobbit said.
Another friend, US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, said he "was dramatic to the end, dying on Christmas Day.Another friend, US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, said he "was dramatic to the end, dying on Christmas Day.
"He'll be all over the news all over the world today. He would have it no other way," he told the Associated Press."He'll be all over the news all over the world today. He would have it no other way," he told the Associated Press.
String of hitsString of hits
Brown was born in 1933 in South Carolina.Brown was born in 1933 in South Carolina.
He joined a gospel group as a young man after his release from jail for trying to steal a car.He joined a gospel group as a young man after his release from jail for trying to steal a car.
Brown's songs have been widely sampled by other artists Obituary: James Brown In pictures: Soul 'Godfather' How Brown influenced music Send us your memoriesBrown's songs have been widely sampled by other artists Obituary: James Brown In pictures: Soul 'Godfather' How Brown influenced music Send us your memories
He had his first hit on the US rhythm and blues chart, Please Please Please, in 1956.He had his first hit on the US rhythm and blues chart, Please Please Please, in 1956.
Brown had 94 hits on Billboard's mainstream Hot 100 in the US, according to his official website, and by the end of his career, he had a repertoire of 800 songs.Brown had 94 hits on Billboard's mainstream Hot 100 in the US, according to his official website, and by the end of his career, he had a repertoire of 800 songs.
However, he achieved only one top 10 single in the UK - Living in America, from the soundtrack of Rocky IV, which reached number five in 1986.However, he achieved only one top 10 single in the UK - Living in America, from the soundtrack of Rocky IV, which reached number five in 1986.
The star was credited with spreading the popularity of funk around the world, influencing a new generation of black music which spawned rap and hip-hop.The star was credited with spreading the popularity of funk around the world, influencing a new generation of black music which spawned rap and hip-hop.
Brown, who had surgery for prostate cancer in 2004, appeared in London in October as part of the BBC's Electric Proms line-up.Brown, who had surgery for prostate cancer in 2004, appeared in London in October as part of the BBC's Electric Proms line-up.
Last month Brown played at a ceremony at London's Alexandra Palace which saw his induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame, 20 years after entering the US equivalent.Last month Brown played at a ceremony at London's Alexandra Palace which saw his induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame, 20 years after entering the US equivalent.