James Brown: The Godfather of Soul Timeline

James Brown: The Godfather of Soul 16

1933 James Brown born in Barnwell, South Carolina Raised in Augusta Grows up in poverty in Augusta, Georgia.
1949 – 1952 James Brown in reform school Meets Bobby Byrd Serves three years for robbery — singer Bobby Byrd helps him get out.
1955 James Brown joins Bobby Byrd's group The Famous Flames Soon its lead singer.
1956 James Brown releases Please, Please, Please First hit His first hit, on King Records.
1958 James Brown tops the R&B charts with Try Me First R&B number one His first number one on the R&B charts.
1962 James Brown records Live at the Apollo Self-financed Paid for himself — it becomes one of the best-selling live albums.
1964 James Brown upstages the Rolling Stones at the T.A.M.I. Show Concert film A legendary performance in the filmed concert.
1965 James Brown releases Papa's Got a Brand New Bag Birth of funk Rhythm on the one — the first funk hit.
1965 James Brown releases I Got You (I Feel Good) Biggest hit His highest-charting pop single.
1968 James Brown's Boston Garden concert After King's assassination A televised show the day after MLK's murder helps keep Boston calm.
1968 James Brown releases Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud Black pride anthem An anthem of the Black Power era.
1970 James Brown releases Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine The J.B.'s With his new band featuring Bootsy Collins.
1974 James Brown plays Zaire 74 Kinshasa Headlines the festival before the Rumble in the Jungle.
1986 James Brown inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame First class One of the first ten inductees.
1988 – 1991 James Brown in prison Car chase Serves two years after a car chase across Georgia and South Carolina.
2006 James Brown dies in Atlanta Christmas Day Dies aged 73 — his body lies in state at the Apollo.