James Brown

Energetic, intense singer best known for his gospel-tinged, rhythm and blues songs that influenced the direction of funk, soul and disco. Nicknamed the Godfather of Soul, Brown toured relentlessly right up until his death. His recordings progressed from the early, soul-stirring shout of “Please, Please, Please” (1956) to the proto-funk of “Papa's Got a Brand New Bag” (1965) to the Black power anthem “Say It Loud—I'm Black and I'm Proud” (1968).