Editorial: ‘The hardest-working man’

Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006 | 7 a.m.

Born in the Depression in the South and abandoned by his parents, James Brown lived a classic American rags-to-riches tale, leaving an indelible mark on American music and culture.

Brown, who died Monday at the age of 73, said that when he was growing up he "just wanted to be somebody."

Caught stealing at the age of 16, Brown was sentenced to reform school, where he met Bobby Byrd and his future. Byrd's family sponsored Brown's parole and Byrd added Brown to his gospel band. As the band turned to rhythm and blues, Brown became the front man and the "hardest-working man in show business" was on his way to becoming somebody.

Brown was the consummate performer, as he poured himself out in every performance. Dubbed the "Godfather of Soul," Brown took his gospel music roots and turned them into a frenetic style of rhythm and blues that won new audiences.

As with many musical stars, his successful career did not follow into his personal life, which included drug and alcohol problems, allegations of spousal abuse and a prison sentence from a drug-fueled encounter with police.

His fans forgave him, but his personal life left an unfortunate mark on a stellar career that went beyond music. In the 1960s he used his music to champion civil rights, promoting black pride and self-reliance. And musically he continued to garner respect and admiration, influencing a generation of musicians.

Brown was more than just a "somebody." He was a musical innovator, a civil rights pioneer and, as noted when he received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 2003, "an American cultural giant."