James Brown: The Godfather of Soul

Known to music lovers everywhere as "The Godfather of Soul," James Brown's explosive energy and innovative sound revolutionized popular music. James Brown's life has been outrageous and unpredictable as one of his full-throttle, funk-gospel anthems-a wild ride from the dangerous streets of Augusta Georgia, to sold-out performances at the famed Apollo theater to a stint in a federal prison cell. James Brown: The Godfather of Soul would be useful for classes on American History, African-American History, American Culture and Music. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• antics
• brothel
• despondent
• empowerment
• erratic
• gimmick
• mentor
• mired
• notoriety
• notorious
• persona
• profound
• prominent
• retaliation
• throes
• venues

1. James Brown is known as "The Godfather of Soul." Why is he called this? How does this title convey the respect earned by James Brown and his music?

2. James Brown was raised in the South during the era of Jim Crow laws. Discuss the role of racial attitudes in James Brown's life and career.

3. Why is James Brown called "the hardest working man in show business?" How has Brown earned this title?

4. Discuss the influence and effect of Brown's music on some of today's musicians and entertainers. How has Brown inspired some of today's younger musicians?

5. James Brown was arrested in the late 1980s and did some time in a federal penitentiary. Do you think Brown received a fair sentence for his crime? Do you think that racial attitudes influenced his sentence? If so, how and why?

6. James Brown came of musical age in the 1950s, just as bebop music and rock-n-roll were making their marks. Discuss how and why this was the perfect time for a talent such as James Brown's.

7. Music, like any other big business, is advertised and promoted. Discuss the role of promotions and gimmicks in the career of James Brown and other musicians of his era.

8. James Brown enjoyed tremendous success when he performed at the Apollo Theater. What other great musicians and entertainers have graced the stage of the legendary New York landmark? What has been the impact of the Apollo Theater for African-American entertainers?

9. Discuss James Brown's role as a promoter of education and social reform. How has he contributed himself for the betterment of America?

10. Discuss James Brown's role in the Civil Rights movement.

11. What is James Brown's impact on American music and culture.

1. Design a record cover for a James Brown song in the 1950s and one for the 1980s/90s. How would these record covers differ? How can you use these record covers to illustrate the changing racial and social mores of American culture?

2. Create a poster for a concert appearance of James Brown and the Flames.

3. Imagine that you are a music critic and are assigned a James Brown song to critique. Write a column for your paper or magazine that discusses and critiques one of Brown's songs.

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Air Dates

• February 04, 2002