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Fans gather for Brown's funeral Stars turn out for Brown funeral
(about 5 hours later)
Thousands of mourners have paid their last respects to soul star James Brown, whose body is lying in state in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia. Thousands of fans, friends and celebrities have paid final tributes to soul star James Brown at an emotional public funeral in his Georgia hometown.
Fans queued up in the rain to file past the singer's golden coffin at the city's 8,500-seat James Brown Arena. He lay in an open golden coffin in the packed James Brown Arena in Augusta.
A funeral is also due to take place, overseen by the musician's former manager, Reverend Al Sharpton. Singer Michael Jackson kissed Brown's forehead and called him "my greatest inspiration". Black rights activist Al Sharpton delivered the main eulogy.
Famous for hits like Sex Machine, Brown died suddenly on Monday in hospital after suffering pneumonia. He was 73.Famous for hits like Sex Machine, Brown died suddenly on Monday in hospital after suffering pneumonia. He was 73.
He was a God-sent person - almost like an angel Vickie Greene, James Brown fan The public funeral will be the third memorial event in as many days for the musician known as the Godfather of Soul. He was a God-sent person - almost like an angel Vickie Greene, James Brown fan
The Augusta funeral was the third memorial event in as many days for the musician known as the Godfather of Soul.
On Thursday, thousands of fans poured into the Apollo Theatre in New York, where Brown made his stage debut in 1956 and recorded several live albums.On Thursday, thousands of fans poured into the Apollo Theatre in New York, where Brown made his stage debut in 1956 and recorded several live albums.
A private service for family and close friends was held in South Carolina on Friday, with mourners including boxing promoter Don King, rapper MC Hammer and comedian Dick Gregory.A private service for family and close friends was held in South Carolina on Friday, with mourners including boxing promoter Don King, rapper MC Hammer and comedian Dick Gregory.
A private service for friends and family has already been heldReverend Sharpton, now a black civil rights leader, delivered the eulogy and praised Brown's effect on popular music. 'Master at work'
"The James Brown that I know, he started singing in the woods of South Carolina," he said. After friends and relatives filed past the coffin, a video of Brown's last performance in Augusta and final concert in London were played and tributes were performed.
"What made James Brown so great was his commitment to a beat that some people tried to kill." Despite several requests for the capacity crowd to behave as if they were at any other funeral, the funky rhythms that characterised the singer's sound and life soon had everyone on their feet, reports the BBC's Matt Wells from the stadium.
Influential Brown was in his third costume change in as many days
Nearly 8,500 mourners are filling up the James Brown Arena ahead of today's service, reports the Associated Press. But for many, the highlight of Saturday's ceremony was a rare public appearance by the controversial pop star Michael Jackson.
Many more are expected to gather outside the auditorium, where the funeral will be broadcast on a public address system. "Ever since I was a small child, no more than like six years old, my mother would wake me no matter what time it was, if I was sleeping, no matter what I was doing, to watch the television to see the master at work," Jackson said.
"He was a God-sent person - almost like an angel," said Vickie Greene, who had come to view Brown's body with her husband and grandson. . "And when I saw him move, I was mesmerised. I had never seen a performer perform like James Brown, and right then and there I knew that that was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life because of James Brown."
Reverend Al Sharpton said the singer had made an advance request for Jackson to be at his funeral in Augusta.
The whole world, he said, changed its beat because of James Brown.
Known for his frequent costume changes, Brown was in his third wardrobe change in three days - a black jacket and gloves, with a ruby red shirt.
Earlier fans filed past Brown's coffin
Before the funeral started in earnest, fans queued in the rain to file past his coffin.
"He was a God-sent person - almost like an angel," said Vickie Greene, who had come to view Brown's body with her husband and grandson.
"He was so inspirational to people about sharing and helping and giving.""He was so inspirational to people about sharing and helping and giving."
Atlanta resident Maynard Eaton, who organised a bus to carry 20 people to the funeral, said it was Brown's political message he valued.Atlanta resident Maynard Eaton, who organised a bus to carry 20 people to the funeral, said it was Brown's political message he valued.
"I'm black and I'm proud' was the most influential black slogan of the 1960s," he said, referring to the refrain of Brown's song Say It Loud. "'I'm black and I'm proud' was the most influential black slogan of the 1960s," he said, referring to the refrain of Brown's song Say It Loud.
Adopted homeAdopted home
Brown was inducted to the UK Music Hall of Fame in NovemberBrown was born in 1933 in Barnwell, South Carolina. He spent much of his childhood in Augusta, and adopted the town as his home. Brown was born in 1933 in Barnwell, South Carolina. He spent much of his childhood in Augusta, and adopted the town as his home.
He remained involved with the city throughout his stardom, handing out Thanksgiving turkeys every year, providing meals for more than 1,000 families.He remained involved with the city throughout his stardom, handing out Thanksgiving turkeys every year, providing meals for more than 1,000 families.
The singer had also participated in an annual toy drive in the city just three days before his death.The singer had also participated in an annual toy drive in the city just three days before his death.
As well as the auditorium named in his honour, the town renamed one of its streets James Brown Boulevard, and erected a statue to the singer last year.As well as the auditorium named in his honour, the town renamed one of its streets James Brown Boulevard, and erected a statue to the singer last year.
Since his death, fans have flocked to the statue, leaving flowers, records and messages at its feet.Since his death, fans have flocked to the statue, leaving flowers, records and messages at its feet.