Yesterday, James Brown passed away. He was a legend. Maybe he had a laundry list of criminal activities, but HE WAS JAMES BROWN! An absolute legend. An American original, and he knew it. He put himself next to Elvis. He wasn't humble, but he was unforgettable. There will never be another man like James Brown.
I was fortunate enough to be in a press conference with 25 others as James Brown was being interviewed in a tent in the sweltering tennessee summer. I have never before witnessed such an event. James Brown was larger than life, he looked at the biggest rock journalists of our day, and belittled them like school children on a playground. It was ridiculous, he turned these men and women into his personal examples of meagerdom. It was an amazing display, as my friend Jessica can attest to. In fact, if you have a chance to rent the Bonnaroo 2003 DVD, watch for me in the white hat and my friend Jess next to me. Here are some samples of his brilliance at work from that press conference in '03.
Rolling Stone Reporter: "Hello Mr Brown, I'm So-and-So from Rolling Stone..." (cut off)
James Brown: SO WHAT!?
USA Today Reporter: "So Mr. Brown, If you go out in the campgrounds, you will find all these hippie kids dancing around to funk and R&B... listening to your music. Have you ever played at such a concert like this?"
James Brown: "YEAH, EVER HEARD OF WOODSTOCK!?"
Billboard Reporter: "Have you thought about your setlist tonight, what will you be playing?"
James Brown: "I DON'T KNOW, HAVEN'T GOT THERE YET!"
There it was, James Brown dismissing reporters like it was his job. It was an amazing place to be that day, one of my favorite moments of living behind the scenes in the music business. They didn't call him the hardest working man in show business for nothing!
Do yourself a favor and download some James Brown today.
Make it funky,
-rustafarian
ps: i believe that is me on the stage balcony - red fro and headband...
