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Harlem fans sing tribute to Brown Harlem fans sing tribute to Brown
(about 2 hours later)
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. Hundreds of 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.
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.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.
He is to lie in state at the Apollo theatre, one of his favourite venues. His body is now lying in state at the Apollo theatre, a venue he loved.
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 was to 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".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. Crowds of people danced and sang in the streets outside the Apollo, while Brown's body was displayed on the stage where he made his 1956 debut.
The song Say it Loud "really changed the attitude of most black people", he claimed. Music thumped from storefronts and portable stereos and people sang on the pavement, the Associated Press reported.
Meanwhile, the sounds of Brown's unique vocals filled the auditorium as fans marched quietly past his open gold coffin, where he lay in a blue suit, white gloves and silver shoes.
Among the fans outside the venue was Norman Brand, 55, from Alabama.
The song Say it Loud "really changed the attitude of most black people", he said.
"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.""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'
Another wellwisher, Amino Hyman described how Brown "made black people feel proud to be black and enjoy our roots".Another wellwisher, Amino Hyman described how Brown "made black people feel proud to be black and enjoy our roots".
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.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.
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.
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.