JAMES BROWN
Singer - Entertainer
May 3, 1933 - December 25, 2006
GODFATHER OF SOUL
Referred to as The Hardest Working Man in Show business and Recognized as one of America's most influential entertainers of the 20th Century. He demanded near perfection from his musicians and performers to the point of slapping a fine on them if their shoes were not highly polished for a performance.
I met him a few times touring the country and admired his energetic ability to charge up an audience, whether it be Rhythm and Blues, Spiritual, Rock and Roll, Jazz, Funk or Hip Hop. He always sang as though he had a set of drums imbedded right into his vocal chords with great rhythm and a driving beat. He was an exciting performer.
Unable to meet with him before his performance January 3, 1998 because of his needed nap and time for hair and makeup routine before the show, we met in the Green Room of Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater after the concert. James Brown looked great in his fringed suede brown jacket and tinted glasses. He wore leather gloves as we shook hands.
"The big Tablecloth is locked up at the bank in St. Louis James. This is one of the matching napkins to the set," I admitted. He smiled that famous smile of his, nodded and removed his gloves as we moved to a nearby table.
He bent down and took a bit of time writing, got up and handed me the cloth and pen. "Good to see you again Walter. Thanks for asking me to sign this. I hope you can read it."
"Great seeing you again too, James," I replied. "Your signature will be embroidered and this pen is now retired. No one will ever use it again." "That's nice," he said as we shook hands for the finale time, then he turned and disappeared in the waiting crowd.
The lady I lined up to take the pictures handed me my camera with a thumbs up. "Good pictures," she assured me. I made my exit through the stage door and down the steps where a good sized crowd was gathered around a Limo waiting to see James Brown off. I paused with them under a bright street light.
Just then I could hear another crowd coming down the steps with James Brown in the middle. He walked right next to me, paused, looked at me, nodded and got in the Limousine. I waved the cloth in the air at him and he waved back as the Limo pulled slowly away. This was another memorable moment in my pursuit of celebrities I would not soon forget. I didn't realize this would be my last time to see him. Though he strove for perfection in everything he did, James Brown was not a perfect man.
He will be missed. Well done James. A True Legend.