Performing in the Musikhalle of Hamburg, in February 1973. Photo: Heinrich Klaffs
In his great book about James Brown Kill ‘Em and Leave, the black American writer James McBride says: ‘He is easily one of the most famous African Amercians in the world and arguably the most influential African American in pop music history…. His dances, his language, his music, his style, his pioneering funk, his manner of speaking are stamped into the American consciousness as deeply as that of any civil rights leader or sports hero.’
To commemorate the anniversary of his passing on Christmas Day 2006, Yadana Saw and Nick Bollinger reflect on the legacy and their close encounters with one music's legendary figures.
Song featured in this programme: Introduction to James Brown and the Famous Flames, I Got You (Feel Good),Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud, It’s Too Funky In Here (Live in Tokyo, 1979), Get Up Offa That Thing, Let’s Make Christmas Mean Something this year
