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Harlem fans sing tribute to Brown Thousands bid farewell to Brown
(about 3 hours later)
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. Thousands of people have gathered in the Harlem district of New York to pay tribute to American soul star James Brown, who died on Monday aged 73.
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. Fans sang and danced to his music while his gold casket was carried through the streets on a horse-drawn carriage.
His body is now lying in state at the Apollo theatre, a venue he loved. His body lay in state at the Apollo theatre, a venue he loved.
His friend the Reverend Al Sharpton delivered a prayer and eulogy to the singer, who died on Monday aged 73. Among those paying their respects was black civil rights leader, Reverend Al Sharpton, who said James Brown changed the beat of music all over the world.
"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. Rev Sharpton, who managed the singer during the 1970s, said: "We didn't line these streets because he had hits, plenty of people had hits... But none got them on their own terms.
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". Reverend Al Sharpton (r) will oversee all of the funeral services"He never bent, buckled or bowed. He never diluted his music... they'd say Mr Brown you got to water it down and he'd say if you didn't want James Brown you shouldn't have booked me."
Rev Sharpton also said James Brown was a great symbol for African-Americans as a social leader and innovator.
"It was James Brown that with one song erased the word negro from our vocabulary forever and made us say it and say it loud, that we were black and we were proud.
"He proved to us if you believe in God and you believe in yourself you can make it no matter what," Rev Sharpton said during his tribute at the Apollo theatre.
White gloves, silver shoes
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.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.
Music thumped from storefronts and portable stereos and people sang on the pavement, the Associated Press reported.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.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. Brown was an influence to many during a career spanning 50 yearsAmong 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.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'
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. "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.