This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/6213823.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fans gather to see Brown's casket Harlem fans sing tribute to Brown
(about 2 hours later)
Fans of the late soul star James Brown have gathered outside a concert hall in New York, preparing to pay their respects to the "Godfather of Soul". Several hundred fans have serenaded the late soul star James Brown, singing one of his signature hits as his coffin arrived at a concert hall in New York.
A horse-drawn carriage will take his body through the streets of Harlem before he lies in state at the Apollo Theater, one of his favourite venues. They performed his anthem Say it Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud, as a horse-drawn carriage took the gold casket through the streets of Harlem.
His casket will spend seven hours on the stage where he made his debut. He is to lie in state at the Apollo Theater, one of his favourite venues.
His friend Reverend Al Sharpton will deliver a prayer and eulogy to the singer, who died on Monday aged 73.His friend Reverend Al Sharpton will deliver a prayer and eulogy to the singer, who died on Monday aged 73.
"He was a superstar for common people, and I wanted to make sure that common people got to see him one last time," the civil rights leader told the Associated Press."He was a superstar for common people, and I wanted to make sure that common people got to see him one last time," the civil rights leader told the Associated Press.
James Brown made his debut at the Apollo Theater in 1956He promised "the kind of homecoming we haven't seen in a long time - if ever - in the Harlem community".
Among the fans waiting outside the venue was Norman Brand, 55, from Alabama.
The song Say it Loud "really changed the attitude of most black people", he claimed.
"It was like a wake-up call. Before that, if you were called black, it was like an insult. Just one song and one word can change a whole situation."
'Empowering''Empowering'
Among the fans waiting outside the Apollo Theater was Amino Hyman. Another wellwisher, Amino Hyman described how Brown "made black people feel proud to be black and enjoy our roots".
One of the most beautiful things I've seen is the outpouring of people coming to pay tribute to him at the James Brown statue Deke CopenhaverMayor of Augusta Reverend Al Sharpton (r) will oversee all of the funeral services"When we had nothing else to look forward to or look up to, we always had our music. James Brown was definitely one of the ones that empowered us," he told local television network CW-11.
"He made black people feel proud to be black and enjoy our roots," he told local television network CW-11.
"When we had nothing else to look forward to or look up to, we always had our music. James Brown was definitely one of the ones that empowered us."
Brown's body will be taken to his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, for a private ceremony on Friday.Brown's body will be taken to his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, for a private ceremony on Friday.
A viewing for fans will be held at the city's 8,500-seat James Brown Arena on Saturday, before another public service, again overseen by Reverend Sharpton.A viewing for fans will be held at the city's 8,500-seat James Brown Arena on Saturday, before another public service, again overseen by Reverend Sharpton.
James Brown made his debut at the Apollo Theater in 1956Augusta's mayor, Deke Copenhaver, said that attention had already been focused on a square in the city named after the influential musician.
"One of the most beautiful things I've seen is the outpouring of people coming to pay tribute to him at the James Brown statue," he said.
Meanwhile it has been confirmed that singer Chaka Khan will perform in place of Brown at a special New Year's Eve show at BB King's Blues Club in New York.Meanwhile it has been confirmed that singer Chaka Khan will perform in place of Brown at a special New Year's Eve show at BB King's Blues Club in New York.