James Brown vs. Joe Tex: Soul Music’s Most Explosive Rivalry

 

In the world of classic soul, few rivalries burned as brightly or as bitterly the one between 

James Brown and  Joe Tex.

 

 

 These two Southern-born legends clashed on and off stage, creating not just unforgettable music but an unforgettable feud.

From diss tracks to gunshots, this rivalry had it all. Let’s rewind to explore the drama, competition, and creative sparks that defined one of soul music’s most iconic face-offs.

Two Icons, One Path to Greatness

James Brown, the self-proclaimed “Hardest Working Man in Show Business, came from Augusta, Georgia, and rose through pure grit and showmanship. 

 Joe Tex, born in Baytown, Texas, was equally electric—a preacher-like singer who infused soul with humor and charm.

Both men were born in the 1930s, started recording in the 1950s, and hit their commercial stride in the 1960s. They shared fans, stages, and even romantic interests—but neither was willing to share the spotlight.
 

 

Musical Competition Heats Up

Brown’s revolutionary hits like:

"Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag"

"I Got You (I Feel Good)"

...set the blueprint for funk and high-energy stagecraft.

Tex fired back with his own brand of down-home soul, producing gems like:
 

"Hold What You’ve Got"

"Skinny Legs and All"

"Show Me"

Each new single was a punch. Each performance is a challenge.



Joe Tex—witty, emotional, and unafraid to speak his mind (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)*



The Gunfight at Macon: When Rivalry Turned Violent


The feud exploded in 1963. At the center of the storm was Bea Ford, a singer romantically linked to both artists. 

 

Joe Tex wrote a diss track titled “You Keep Her” directly aimed at James Brown, mocking him for taking his ex-lover.

Brown did not take it lightly.

That same year, during a show in  Macon, Georgia, Brown reportedly brought guns to the venue and opened fire on Tex and his entourage. No one was killed, but the incident cemented the feud’s place in soul music infamy.

📰 *Suggested Image:* A newspaper clipping (real or re-created) with a dramatic headline like *“Shooting at Soul Show – James Brown Involved?”*


Battle of the Stage: Capes, Collapses, and Comedy

James Brown’s legendary cape routine, where he collapsed on stage only to rise and continue performing, became a signature act. But Joe Tex often parodied it, adding comedy and mockery to his shows.

Was it tribute or theft?

Brown believed Tex was stealing his act. Tex believed Brown was taking himself too seriously. Fans were split, but they watched both men with religious devotion.
 

 *Suggested Image:* A side-by-side shot of James Brown in a cape and Joe Tex mimicking the move

Business Smarts and Behind-the-Scenes Jabs

Despite their feud, both men were ahead of their time when it came to business. Joe Tex was among the first soul stars to own his publishing rights, a bold move that Brown would later mirror.

Yet the bitterness never fully faded. Tex accused Brown of **pressuring promoters** to remove him from concert lineups. Brown downplayed Tex’s talent in interviews, calling him **“a clown”** compared to his artistry.

🎤 *Quote Card Graphic:*

> *“James, I got your letter... You said I could have my baby back. But I don’t want her that way.”*
> – Joe Tex, “You Keep Her”

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## 🙏 The Final Years: No Reconciliation

Joe Tex stepped away from music in the late ’70s and became a **minister in the Nation of Islam**, while Brown battled personal demons and legal issues into the 2000s.

Tex died in 1982 at just 47. Brown passed in 2006. Despite decades of tension, they never reconciled publicly.

There Was A Time 

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Legacy: A Rivalry That Pushed Soul Forward

While the feud had its ugly moments, it **pushed both artists to greater heights**. Brown’s innovations in funk might not have been so relentless without a competitor like Tex nipping at his heels. Likewise, Tex’s stage banter and storytelling were sharpened by his need to stand apart.

Today, fans and music historians recognize this not just as a feud—but as a **creative duel** that helped shape the future of soul, funk, and even hip-hop (Joe Tex is one of the most sampled artists in rap music).

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RAP MUSIC 80s vs RAP MUSIC 2024

Rap music has come a long way since its early days, and as someone who's watched it grow over the years, I can’t help but marvel at how much has changed from the 1980s to 2024. 

Let me walk you through ten key differences I’ve noticed along the way.

 

1. PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

Rap 1980s

Back in the 80s, when I first started listening to rap, production was all about drum machines like the Roland TR-808, vinyl sampling, and simple looping techniques.  The sound was raw, and even though it was straightforward, it was incredibly effective. 

Artists who couldn’t play instruments made magic with drum machines, crafting beats that still resonate  today.  Not being able to read or write music didn,t stop them from creating sounds that influenced a generation ( some artists of yesterday, such as James Brown, couldn,t read a note of music).

Many talented rappers were very proficient with rhyming words on the spot. Rap battles were held in clubs, playgrounds, basketball courts, on the streets, etc.

 

 

 Rap 2024

These days, production has become a whole other beast. 

Modern rap uses advanced digital audio workstations (DAWs), complex sampling, and virtual instruments.  Producers blend trap beats, drill, and electronic sounds in ways that would’ve blown my mind back in the day. It’s amazing to see how much skill and knowledge go into mixing and recording now.

2. LYRICISM AND THEMES

 Rap 1980s

I remember when rap lyrics were mostly about social issues, partying, storytelling, and showing off.  The delivery was clear and direct, making it easy to catch every word. The party atmosphere was strong in the records, and we all felt that energy. 

I miss the days of the party jams and strong positive messages in the songs that uplifted you in mind and soul.  Straight good fun whether you were in the club, a house party or just hanging with friends listening to the music.

Rap 2024

Today, rap lyrics have taken a turn. While social issues are still in the mix, there’s a bigger focus on personal struggles, mental health, wealth, and fame.  It’s not uncommon to hear about money, sex, drugs, and violence, which has become more prevalent now that censorship isn’t as strict. 

The main concern for me is the social impact of rap music on our society.  A lot of young folks minds are being shaped by the lyrical content in today,s music.  Profanity is every other word blaring out of a rap song, with videos and concerts are performed by females in scantily clad outfits.   

Lyricism ranges from intricate wordplay to melodic, auto-tuned vocals (people suppose to be singing), which is quite a shift from the straightforward sometimes raw performances that I grew up seeing and hearing.

 

3. CULTURAL INFLUENCES

Rap 1980s
 
Back then, rap was just starting to make waves, especially in New York City. It was the voice of the youth, particularly in African American neighborhoods.I remember how rap battles and dance-offs were a big part of the culture, bringing people together in ways that felt powerful and new.

Rap 2024

Today rap isn’t just a genre—it’s a global phenomenon. It influences and is influenced by cultures and genres from all over the world. It’s amazing to see how mainstream it’s become, with sub-genres like trap, drill, and emo rap showing just how diverse and far-reaching the art of rap has grown.

 

4. COMMERCIALIZATION

 Rap 1980s

In the 80s, rap was mostly underground or independent, with little radio play and not much commercial success.  I remember artists hustling to get their music out there, often selling albums on the street or out of their car trunks.  Some even created hit records in their home studios, which was pretty impressive for the time.

Rap 2024

Today, rap is a major player in the music industry. It’s backed by big corporations, gets plenty of radio play, and established artists like Rick Ross and Lil Wayne are at the top of their game. I’ve seen more and more new artists breaking into the scene, flaunting their wealth and luxury in ways that were unheard of back in the day.

5. TECHNOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION

Rap Music 1980s 

Back in the 80s, music was all about vinyl records, cassettes, and radio. Distribution was limited by physical media, and promotion relied on radio spots, posters, and word of mouth. There were no streaming services or internet to spread the word, so getting music out there was a different kind of grind.

Rap Music 2024

Times have changed. Now, everything’s digital.  Artists can release music instantly to a global audience through streaming platforms, and social media has become a key player in promotion. Youtube, TikTok, Instagram  and other streaming services have made it easier for people to become famous nearly overnight

 It’s wild to think about how quickly music can reach people now compared to the slower, more localized spread of the 80s.

6. FASHION AND IMAGE

Rap Music 1980s

I remember when rap fashion was all about street culture—tracksuits, gold chains, Kangol hats, and Adidas sneakers. The look was all about authenticity and staying true to where you came from.

Rap Music 2024

Fashion in rap today is a whole different story. It’s more diverse, often designer-driven, with artists blending street-wear with high fashion.  Social media plays a huge role in curating these images, and it’s fascinating to see how carefully crafted everything has become.

7.  COLLABORATIONS AND FEATURES

Rap Music 1980s

In the 80s, collaborations between artists were rare and usually happened within the same area or record label. When they did happen, it felt special and local.
 

Rap Music 2024

Today, collaborations are everywhere, crossing genres, cultures, and even international borders. It’s normal to see rap artists teaming up with pop stars, EDM producers, and more. The collaborations we see now would have been unimaginable back in the day. There were exceptions to the rule; such as the Run-DMC/Aerosmith  collaboration of "Walk This Way". The record, along with the video, was a huge hit.

 

 8. SUB-GENRES AND DIVERSITY

 Rap Music 1980s

The rap scene I grew up with was more uniform, with most artists following a similar style and sound rooted in the boom-bap tradition.  Each artist or group had their own distinct style.You could tell who they were because their vocals were their trademarks along with their unique sounds.

 

Rap Music 2024 

Nowadays, rap has exploded into a variety of sub-genres—trap, drill, conscious rap, mumble rap, and hybrid forms that blend rap with pop, rock, and electronic music. It’s incredible to see how much the genre has expanded and diversified.

 

9. VISUAL AESTHETICS 

 Rap Music 1980s

I remember when music videos were pretty low-budget, focusing on performance and street scenes with a gritty, unpolished look.  Michael Jackson and Prince were the big exceptions, setting a new standard for what music videos could be.

Rap Music 2024

Now, rap visuals are on another level, with cinematic quality, CGI effects, and elaborate story lines. Visual storytelling has become central to an artist's brand, and it’s amazing to see how far things have come.

 

10. IMPACT AND REACH

Rap Music 1980s

In the 80s, rap’s impact was mostly local, resonating within urban communities in the U.S. It felt like our music, something that spoke directly to us.

 

Rap Music 2024

Today, rap is a global force. Artists from all over the world are contributing to the genre, and its influence extends beyond music into politics, social movements, and global pop culture. It is mind-boggoling incredible to see how something that started in small communities has grown into a worldwide phenomenon.

SOUL MUSICIANS: SUFFERING INJURIES FOR THE SAKE OF ART

Dedication. Focus. Persistence.

 These are qualities that one must have in order to achieve your goals in life.  We will always love the soul performances from past artists (regretfully some have passed away) that have given their all on stage and in recordings.

 James Brown, Joe Tex, Patti Labelle, and Prince are just a few performers who gave fantastic shows which became the stuff of legends.  

 

 

But how many of us really know what it takes to do what they do onstage?  

 

How many of us would be willing to pay the price for performing the way they do?

 

    

 

 Constant touring and rehearsing takes a toll on the body and mind.  Imagine (in the case of Sheila E) playing drums, congas and timbales until your fingers bleed.


James Brown (starting from the late 50s, and continuing thru the 60s and early 70s) singing, dancing and screaming night after night, knees bleeding from falling to the floor 5-6 times each show.  

Screaming so hard one night that he could hardly talk the next day( he poured a small jar of honey down his throat before each show).

 





 Prince, who not only did splits, but did them in high heels while jumping off huge amplifiers. 
 High heel shoes and boots were also part of his daily dress wear.

They all had tremendous drive and focus to do what they did on stage.  It took a lot of stamina and will power to get on stage night after night, giving audiences their all, 

making sure when people left, they talked about THAT show!


Artists thrive on the attention of others on and off stage, dressing so they would not look like anyone else. 

Injuries, aches and pains are a big part of performing and often are ignored to the point of where they become very serious issues. 

 Anyone who plays an instrument or multiple instruments(such as guitar, keyboards, drums, etc.,) is subject to carpel tunnel syndrome in fingers and hands thru repetitive motion.


 How did James Brown fall on his knees five, six times a show night after night?  How did Prince leap from the pianos and huge amps into a split every show? 

 

 

 

The answer to that; MIND POWER!  These artists endured setbacks early in the career and decided that they would reach as high as they could, no matter what it took to make it!


James Brown was examined by doctors not long before he died and was found to have very little cartilage in his knees. 

He did splits and knee drops well into his 50s, till he could not do them anymore.  

Michael Jackson would practice his dance moves until his whole body ached from pain.


 I have read about more than one artist being wheeled to the edge of a stage, getting up and doing a show and getting back into the chair waiting for them.  


Al Green appeared on Soul Train with a broken arm(all he had to do was sing, enduring the pain nevertheless) and did a 

 fantastic live show!

 

 
> Even with today,s technology artists still have to prove they have what it takes to perform(to tell the truth some are selected because of their looks, not musical ability.


Whatever your goal is in life, give it your best if you want it badly enough. Just remember there is a price to be paid somewhere along the road. As James Brown used to say; "Pay the cost to be THE BOSS!"

THE OLD SCHOOL VS THE NEW SCHOOL

Many old school artists have left us in the past few years such as:

ETTA JAMES, JIMMY CASTOR, and  WHITNEY HOUSTON.

Also, though he was not a singer, he influenced a nation as innovator, creator, and host of the show "SOUL TRAIN",  the great DON CORNELIUS.  

 

 

The list also includes; PERCY SLEDGE,  GEORGE DUKE,  MARVIN ISLEY,  JIMMY RUFFIN,  BIG BANK HANK (Of the Sugar hill Gang), LOUIS JOHNSON, LEROY "SUGARFOOT" BONNER (Ohio Players), BOBBY "BLUE"BLAND,  and quite a few others.  


The contributions these artists made to Soul Music is immeasurable and unforgettable. 


 In an era where rap music has taken over the airwaves, the old soul music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, will never die out.  


When rap music first came out it was about having fun at a house party.

 Neighborhood rap battles abound with the winners and losers admiring each other,s talents and  having just plain old good times. 


Over the years,  gangsta rap became prevalent and to the forefront, with stories about the hood, bling, sex, dope. 

Gangstas, guns, girls, etc.,  became the norm for the listener of today, filling minds with dark images of  revenge, killing, treating women as sex objects.
  

I didn't, want to listen to my parent,s old soul collection when I was entering my teens, mainly because it was their music. 


In the same vein,  the young people of today want to form their own music expressions that mirror the times we live in. 

But can we really BLAME them for the advent of gangsta rap? 

My answer is yes and no; everyone is responsible for their own actions. 


If someone puts out information about building bombs on the internet, and someone else actually follows through with that info, does that let the author off the hook? 

No!  When information is put out over the internet or printed; therefore, whatever the format it is presented in, the author is responsible. 


Some people will disagree, that the person is not responsible for what others may or will do with the words put out there.
  

It,s like opening a door; be careful what door you enter, because you may enter the wrong house. 

Back in the day, old dirty blues records were played at juke joints or private parties, stag and x-rated films were shown at theaters which catered to them. 

One example would be Clarence Carter,s hit "STROKIN" (Be forewarned, this is a borderline X-RATED song).

                                      

                 A lot of babies were made when the hit record "STROKIN"
                                              hit the airwaves lol!

 
CLARENCE CARTER,S  other hits along with the great ROY C  not only ignited sex in the bedroom. 

The backseat of a car, motel room,  a hot tub, corn field ( well you get the idea) made hormones run wild and kept the stork in business!


Is it any wonder, that with the rise of technology (dvds, twitter, facebook, streaming internet content) that the door has swung open very wide? 

 The Bible states that every generation gets wiser but weaker. 


 With all the technological advances today, people tend to throw common sense out of the window now more than ever.


Many things that were once taboo(and should have been left behind closed doors)  have come to the forefront. 


The soul music of the 60s 70s and 80s was about family unity, education,  having a good time etc. 


But there were many songs falling in or out of love, cheating or being cheated on, what happened behind closed doors, singing the blues over lost loves etc; you get the message. 





 Also this old but goodie song by RICHARD "DIMPLES" FIELD,



   

 Regardless of what direction music goes in, we have the soul artists, deceased or living, to thank for music that will never die.


  Music that we could tell where we where, what and when we were doing; who we were doing it with (when our kids were conceived lol). 


 The next wave of rising artists have studied the old school and do songs and performances in a new(?) way.  


In all actuality, they take from the best and copy or adapt. Not such a bad thing when you consider there is nothing new under the sun.  

  There is a new crop of entertainers that work very hard but mainly sell sex appeal. 


This  is not imply that there are people that have positive song messages that inspire and uplift others.

The music industry knows it can sell more by put controversial artists out front.

The old school artists nearly killed themselves trying to outdo one another when they appeared on shows together. 


Many old school artists have left the building,  but  the legacy they have left behind will live on.

"GET ON UP' MOVIE- RIGHT AND WRONG

The JAMES BROWN movie, "GET ON UP" has been released close to two months ago.  

While I thought they did an excellent job all around,  the story was not always true to his legend.

Great acting by all involved (especially Chadwick Boseman and Nelsan Ellis),  fantastic dance sequences, etc.  




 

Overall, a very entertaining movie which touched upon different time periods in JB,s life and career. 

Most biographies often include changes from real life scenarios in order to let the  movie flow properly.  In this case, there were things put in that I never read or heard about.

I have six books on JAMES BROWN;  

THE ONE,   I FEEL GOOD,  THE GODFATHER,OF SOUL, A BIOGRAPHY, SAY IT LOUD (MY MEMORIES OF JB, and THE JAMES BROWN READER. 

Also, the great FRED WESLEY biography, HIT ME FRED, detailing his life in music along with association with The Godfather Of Soul.

A tv mini-series about JB,s life would probably run about six to 10 hours to get the WHOLE story! (lol). 

With that out of the way I,m going to list things in the movie that I never read or heard about before along with things that I wished were included;

1. JB going to school:  Kids paid 10 cents to see him perform as a kid in the school auditorium. 

Despite being a brilliant student, he was sent home on more than one occasion for insufficient (raggedy) clothing.

2.  Doing odd jobs, such as picking cotton(other than buck dancing for the soldiers) to earn money to help his aunt pay rent.

 Picking up coal along railroad tracks to help keep warm during the winter months.

  3. How he went out on his own after the Flames quit ( appeared as little Richard after to fulfill the dates after Richard had  quit for evangelism).

4. More studio and rehearsal performances should have been filmed or added.

I didn,t know the the purpose of showing JB,s oldest son Teddy with a rash on his face (never read anything of the sort).  

Teddy Brown died  in  1973 at the age of 19 in a car crash.

James went back on stage the next night after the funeral.  Even though the loss of his oldest son devastated him, James Brown kept on recording and entertaining.




He turned to the stage to help him keep on going despite whatever grief and turmoil he went thru.

A lot of times, movies based on a real person show events that never actually happened in real life.  


When the "GET ON UP" dvd is released, hopefully there will be deleted scenes  added. 

UPDATE: here,s two great deleted scenes below;

   

There was one tv trailer showing JB getting in bed with a woman ( it was so quick I couldn,t see her face clearly) so maybe it will be included. 

 It is sad that the film only made just over $30 million (cost of production) and it should have been released overseas.  

When his concerts fell off in the U.S. in the late 70s and 80s, JB always had sold-out shows overseas and around the world.

It would only be fitting for the producers to put the movie out overseas, as I believe it would really become box office gold.  

 The way I see it , this movie puts the Godfather Of Soul back in the spotlight; meaning there will be other movies and documentaries heading our way.  

Case in point; HBO will show a  two hour plus documentary about James Brown on Oct. 27th with never before seen footage included. 


UPDATE;
The documentary (THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN) has been released. It is one of the best I have ever seen covering James Brown in that period of his career.



Get ready for the magic people, because it,s about to start all over again!

REVIEW OF MY FIRST JB CONCERT IN 1969

This is my review of the first James Brown concert I ever attended. 

A next door neighbor was taking her kids and asked if I wanted to go also. 


I was just entering my teens at the time, but I have been a JB fan ever since I heard "DON,T BE A DROPOUT". 


I can,t recall everything about the show as it happened that night but I will do the best I can.


My father used to listen to a radio station out of Nashville, Tennessee, that played a lot of the  R&B hits of the day. 


Only being around 5 or  6 years of age at the time, the only singer that I remember hearing was James Brown.
 

In 1969 I was taken to a  JB concert by a neighbor and witnessed a show I will never forget!



This was James Brown with his late 60s band featuring saxophonist extraordinaire, Maceo Parker.


I don,t remember all the songs but I do remember the band opening with "THE CHICKEN".  Then the band,s classic hit featuring Maceo, "THE POPCORN".

Then the lovely Miss Marva Whitney came on and performed two songs, "BALL OF FIRE" AND "IT,S MY THING".


Looking gorgeous in a long blue grown she had  the crowd in awe as she belted out her hits, then left the stage.


Let me tell you something; these songs were performed identically like the records ( most were extended in concert)!  Then Maceo blew everyone away with an imprompt  solo sax performance!


I believe  after that the announcer came onstage said a few things pertaining to concert show books and whatnot.


  Finally... he brought out the man HIMSELF...


                                Mister Dynamite,
                           JAAMES BROWNNN!


He was immaculately dressed in a white jacket,  black silk turtleneck shirt and white pants with black patent leather boots(so shiny you could see your face in them).  


Soul Brother #1 strutted on stage and  delivered a quick handshake to the announcer. 


He went into his big hit, 


"SAY IT LOUD  I,M BLACK & PROUD!"


 


The audience sang along with him as he went thru the song and when JB finished, he started rapping with the audience as the band stood silently in the background.


I did recall one thing that he said which really left an impression on me.

"The color of a man,s skin does not make a   man."

                  "A man makes himself." 
Still rapping, he held the mike, when all of a sudden...


he spun around and stood in the SAME POSE HOLDING THE MIKE!

This happened in a SPLIT SECOND!

I tell you as I saw it with my own eyes, the man was as fast as GREASED LIGHTNING!
 

JB went thru his hits from "IT,S A MAN,S WORLD"( he sang live to a tape being played while the band stood around ;at this time he no longer had the three violinists touring with him).







On "LOWDOWN POPCORN", he accompanied the band on organ, playing the song note for note.  


His footwork was dazzling as he went from one side to the stage to the other.  



The camel walk, the one-legged dance, (especially the James Brown) he performed as we all watched mesmerized!


He spun around three and four times, almost falling on one of the drum sets at one point.


You could actually see the sweat flying away from his body as he worked himself into a frenzy and the crowd along with him.


 I noticed he didn,t do the splits at all that night, (I found out later during that period in his shows he didn,t do the splits) nevertheless still had an exciting exhilarating show. 


On the live  JB concert dvds, "LIVE AT THE APOLLO 1968" and "LIVE AT THE BOSTON GARDENS 1968" ( filmed a month before the former and the night after Martin Luther King Jr. was killed) he did no splits. 



Then came his signature cape routine with "PLEASE PLEASE".  Mister Dynamite then left the stage to rest for a few minutes. 


The announcer appeared again and talked about the concert books and other things that were still available for sale.


We heard the shout, "ONE MORE TIME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MISTER JAMES BROWN", as he took the stage one more time. 


 
He had removed his jacket before he left the stage the first time, but did not change his clothes before his finale.


 
All of a sudden came a familiar scream, "EEEEYOWWW!" The band immediately went into "GIVE IT UP OR TURNIT A LOOSE". followed by his current monster hit, "MOTHER POPCORN"!


The whole audience, worked into a frenzy by this time, (me included)rushed to the front of the stage. 



That,s when I noticed how his pants were made.  Instead of a belt or buttons in front, they were laced up, just like football jersey pants. 


I also noticed for the first time his dancer, the lovely Ann Norman, on an elevated platform behind the band.  


I,ve seen (what we called back then)go-go dancers before but this woman was a SUPER FINE FOX! 


She was so sexy in that tiny mini-whatever she had on, I wanted to motion to JB to move over so I could get a better look at her, lol!


Someone  hoisted a little girl up onto the stage.  The child looked bewildered as she stared into the crowd of faces looking back as her.  


 JB was oblivious to the child, as he was grooving back and forth with Maceo.  


One of the trumpet players saw the little girl, put his instrument down momentarily and gently lowered the child back down into the crowd ( so she wouldn,t get in the way or accidently get hurt).


 
The show ended with James Brown leaving the stage, drained but with a satisfied look on his face, knowing he killed them! 


  I,ve seen JB about five or six times after that, but I never, ever will forget that first show!  Im glad that 
I got a chance to see him with the late sixties band.


James Brown is gone now but...


Not only there is a movie  titled "GET ON UP" on August 1, 2014 coming out about his life, but there is quite a bit of  footage of him  available online, like  YOUTUBE, and a few officially released James Brown concert dvds out now.


So no matter what you,ve heard about JB, good or bad, mistakes and all, know this; to see him live back then was not just a concert, but an EVENT!


He was a flawed human being (we all are) that pushed himself to the top of the music world. 


He had help along the way, but did it HIS WAY!


 There will  always be imitators, duplicators, people that will take something from him and take it to the next level.  


BUT... there  will never, ever, be another...  JAMES BROWN!

2ND JAMES BROWN MOVIE TRAILER DROPS!

A 2nd "GET ON UP"  movie trailer has arrived and I am thrilled! 

While the 1st trailer looked good,  it came off to me more like a movie of the week.


Boseman looks great in the role but it just didn,t meet MY expectations. (I,ve seen JB five or six times live) Forgive me, I,m just picky, but i want it done right.


  I know that it was just a little premature to pass judgement just yet, but I have been a solid JB fan for the last 50 plus years ( shook hands with him in 1970) and I just want his story told right after waiting all these years! 


Here comes the 2nd trailer and guess what?  Whatever apprehensions I had about the film before are gone! 


This trailer shows a little more in depth about what to expect  and believe me, it is impressive!  


Of course they,ve  taken taken certain liberties such as Boseman is not  a short guy, or that JB,s shotgun went off in the insurance seminar ( maybe they are showing witness accounts of what could have happened, during his trial). 


Aside from those shortcomings, I really like what I saw in this trailer!



Here is the 2nd "GET ON UP" trailer






Looks very impressive huh?  I know they will use some well known songs but hopefully include some lesser known ones.


For example;  "Let A Man Come In & Do The Popcorn",  "Mother Popcorn",  "Ain,t It Funky Now", "If I Ruled The World",  "Lowdown Popcorn",  "I Don.t Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door I,ll Get It Myself)".


Okay, quite a bit of popcorn in there but James was heavy on the funk!  


One interesting tibit;  JB,s reference to the word "popcorn" in his songs meant a woman,s behind ( he loved big butts with small waists and had as many as five women a night after shows). 


Yes, he was a REAL SEX MACHINE, lol!  



There are several books on JB and here are my top 3 recommendations below;



 


1. The One: The Life & Music Of JB

    This the most fact-filled book of JB that I   

    have read to date.  Great insight into the 

    mind of James Brown; what drove him to 

     push himself and his organization to almost 

     inhuman limits(marathon touring, 

     recording in the studio after finishing an 

     exhausting concert, the need to get on top

     and the will to stay there.   
  

2. The JB Reader: 

Another book full of notes and different views by JB and friends, members, staff, newspaper press releases, etc.  

 


These are the  most comprehensive books on JB,s life that I,ve ever read, filled with many facts that I didn,t  know before.

 
I,m sure that there will be other interpretations of JB forthcoming on film and in books,  now that the floodgates are open.


There is an untitled JB documentary that was shown at the Tribeca Film Festival back in April 2014.  

I don,t when it will be released but the runtime is 2hrs and 10min. 


Mick Jagger is one of the producers of the film (man, he REALLY is into doing JB right on film!) and that it contains archival footage of JB throughout his career.


Done with the permission of the James brown Estate, we should see footage that has not been seen before.


Case in point; there is ANOTHER film about Elvis already in the works.  


Just to be fair, there has never been a movie about his life on the big screen, only tele-movies and concert films so he deserves his due also.  


Remember,  come August 1st,  world will be amazed because "GET ON UP"    will hit the big screen!



**********************UPDATE**************************

If you like James Brown, then GET READY for the "GET ON UP" MOVIE SOUNDTRACK!!!


HOT! HOT! HOT!  DON,T MISS THIS MOVIE!!!



On July 29th,  the original motion picture sound track will be released featuring 20 songs consisting of studio and live versions of many of JB,s hits! There will never be another like the #1 Soul Brother, so check out the movie and get the audio cd!

 

FIRST IMPRESSION OF "GET ON UP" TRAILER

Hello again JB fans!


I would like to say that I,m very excited that we have a JB bio movie at last!  The cast and crew look good and hopefully this movie will be on a par with "RAY". 


 I,m not completely sold on Boseman as JB but I think he is going to pull off a nearly impossible job as the Godfather Of Soul.  One of my concerns is a few liberties, listed below,  that they are taking in the movie, judging by the trailer;

• JB was around 5'7 or so; Boseman is much taller (he almost towers over actor playing Bobby Byrd)  
•  
• One scene with Bootsy and the JBs - the drum sets are too far apart  (on stage they were closer together). 
•  
• Vietnam scene with JB complaining to the officer- I could be wrong but I didn,t see Tim Drummond anywhere ( he was the first white member of the late 60,s band, playing bass guitar, and went with JB to play in Vietnam). WHOOPS! I was wrong! He was in that particular segment as well at the Boston Gardens scene.
•  
• JB shooting the shotgun by accident at the insurance seminar( the shotgun didn,t go off because it wouldn,t work).
  

 I realize that movies take certain liberties with scripts and change some things, but just as long as they stay true to the spirit of JB, then it will be ok.

The Jacksons TV movie had Randy  almost grown when he officially joined the group, when in real life, he was a little boy who was excellent on playing congas.

 I want this movie to do really well and hopefully see other movies or documentaries on Mr. Brown,s life. As for some people saying that they have seen this story time and again, no they haven,t!


JB,s story is one of a kind and is unique and thank God, it will finally be seen on screen, for better or worse!

JB BIOPIC TO START FILMING THIS MONTH

 

 

 

 

 I,m sure that most of you know by now that the upcoming movie about the Godfather Of Soul James Brown titled "GET ON UP", will start filming in Mississippi in November. 

  Director Tate Taylor(The Help)is set to take on the monumental task of putting the world famous icon on screen.

  Mick Jagger himself is one of the producers of the movie and it boast an impressive talented cast. Chadwick Boseman the star of the Jackie Robinson movie (42) has signed on as JB himself.

The rest of the cast so far includes;

Aunt Honey.....................................................................Octavia Spencer

Susie Brown....................................................................Viola Davis 

Ben Bart..........................................................................Dan Ackroyd

Deidre "Dee Dee" Jenkins...............................................Jill Scott

Bobby Byrd.....................................................................Nelsan Ellis

Syd Nathan......................................................................Fred Melamed

Maceo Parker...................................................................Craig Robinson 

Catfish Collins.................................................................David Carzell 

Bootsy Collins.................................................................Justin Hall 

Clyde Subblefield............................................................Rob Demery

Tika Sumpter...................................................................Yvonne Fair

Joeseph "Joe" James (JB,s father)..................................Lennie James

Julius Tennon.................................................................Grandpa Byrd



Tariq Trotter....................................................................Pee Wee Ellis

Jamell Richardson...........................................................Jimmy Nolen

Brandon Smith.................................................................Little Richard



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  Im sure other cast members will be announced like the actors portraying Fred Wesley( his musical director and trombonist off and on in the 70s) and announcer Danny Ray ( who was the cape man for around 50 years).

  With this array of talent, I think that this movie will be on a par with "RAY". Do I have reservations? Well, of course I do! Im sure that Boseman will most likely lip-synch (no problem there) but what about JB,s frenetic dancing in his early career?

   Not crazy about the title right now( I would have called it one of Brown,s many well deserved monikers over the years; "MR. DYNAMITE", "GODFATHER OF SOUL", "SOUL BROTHER #1". Aside from my gripes( just thrilled at this after waiting so many years), I think it will be an amazing film.

   It will cover the period of  Brown,s life ranging from 5 yrs old to 1993 and hopefully be at least 2 hrs 20 min. long. There is a lot of history associated with Brown and maybe the most important aspects of his life, good and bad make it to the big screen.

  Personally, I would love to see a few things, like; how he made the band head to the recording studio after finishing a sell out performance. 

His dreaded "HORROR" rehearsals, his time performing in Vietnam,  his visits to the White House, his appearance at Elvis  Presley,s wake, his interaction with band and family members.

 His almost inhuman drive to be in control of every aspect of his career.  The toll performing took on his body (had to get an intravenous drip to build fluids back in his body after sweating so much onstage. 

  So get ready everyone because "GET ON UP", the James Brown story has started filmed and is due for release in the fall of next year. 

              I CAN HARDLY WAIT!

***********************UPDATE************************




A few more tidbits about the upcoming JB biopic, "GET ON UP"

* ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY has posted the first pic of
 Chaswick Boseman as James Brown 

* JB,s grandson, Jason Brown, is working on the film as a           production assistant.

* JB,s nephew, Darren Glenn, also is working with the film to help find entertainers to fill the roles of musicians. His father, Willie Glenn, was JB,s road manager for 40 years.

With a great array of talent working on this film, I have no doubts that it will deliver!  Come August 2014, if the Good Lord spares me, I will catch the FIRST showing in my town!    



*****************SUPER UPDATE********************

The VERY FIRST Trailer for the JB Biopic " GET ON UP"

IS HERE! 

IKE AND TINA TURNER: ON THE ROAD 1971-72 DVD

Get ready for a rare look into the lives of Ike and Tina Turner on stage and off at the peak of their career together!



 

   

This 90 minute documentary has intimate, behind-the-scenes look of the husband and wife entertainers, at work on stage and at home. 
Ike, the consummate professional, putting the Ikettes and the band,thru its paces in the studio in preparation for their amazing stage performances.

 Tina is seen burning up the stage as she churns out one of their many hits. 

Rare insight into Tina at home, life as a mother to their kids and in the studio, rehearsing songs and dance routines with the Ikettes. large;">Their day to day travels on the road, by plane and car, waiting in motels and airports give a glimpse of what being an entertainer is not all a glamorous life.
Despite the footage, ranging from good to bad(almost all in black and white), this documentary is a must have for all the fans of Ike and Tina!

A fascinating look into their life and show!

There have been quite a few complaints about previous shows by old soul school artists released before, mainly the quality of the video.

This is not high definition quality footage because it has not been digitally remastered, but a great treat to watch and see one of the greatest duos in music history on stage and off.

So if you are a fan of Ike and Tina Turner, this will be a great addition to your music dvd collection!

SOUL SINGER MARVA WHITNEY HAS PASSED AWAY

One of James Brown,s  proteges in the late 60s, Ms. Marva Whitney, passed away Saturday, Dec. 24th.  JB gave her the nickname of "Soul Sister #1".

She was a powerhouse singer who gave her all on stage, performing with JB at the Boston Gardens concert (the day after Martin Luther King,s assassination) as well as volunteering to go with the James Brown Revue on a tour of Vietnam at wartime in 1968.


She left the revue and after two disappointing solo recordings, exited the music business. Marva returned in the late 80s, occasionally performing with former members of James Brown,s band.


She suffered a stroke in 2009 but returned to the stage in 2010, performing mainly in Europe and Japan.  Her long awaited book, "God, The Devil and James Brown" (working title) will hopefully be released in early 2013. She is gone but will never be forgotten.




 ***UPDATE***

Marva,s biography has FINALLY been released!  "God, The Devil And James Brown" is available on Amazon!

   
June 3, 2013

SPIKE LEE FIRED FROM JAMES BROWN BIOPIC

  




According to EBONY magazine and ROLLING OUT.COM,   Spike Lee has been fired as director of the upcoming JAMES BROWN movie.  

 Spike has always been my number one choice to directory JB,s story and while no explanation was given as of yet,  I hope that this film does well.
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The news that he is being replaced by the guy that directed "THE HELP" (who is white by the way)  is a little unsettling.

  Not the fact that he is white, but he doesn,t have much of a track record ( aside from the aftermentioned movie).  But everyone has to start somewhere and he just might turn out to be a GREAT director!

It,s not about the color folks! I believe that Spike would have done justice to the JAMES BROWN story; a prime example would be the film MALCOLM X.

I don,t care if the director is BLACK, WHITE, BLUE, GRAY or POLKADOT as long as the script and the cast is right.

Another way of looking at it is by hiring a white director the film won,t be looked at as being a BLACK FILM PROJECT only, gaining more universal and hopefully international attention.

About the new director, regardless of color,  I just want to see a GREAT film about Mr. Brown done.

Steven Spielberg did an EXCELLENT job with "THE COLOR PURPLE", delivering a powerful, emotional film that has and will always stand the test of time. 

  I wish Spike was still on board but let,s give this new guy a chance, along with our support and wish him the best!

WHITNEY HOUSTON: TRAGIC LOSS OF A LEGEND

I am shocked and saddened, as are many others around the world, by the death of  beloved superstar Whitney Houston.


She was a true diva, despite her troubles in the past few years.  We have lost  Whitney, along with Etta James and Jimmy Castor, among others.


Although the real cause of death has not being released yet,  most likely drugs and alcohol have some place in it.  God Himself only knows what trials and tribulations she had to endure. 


Many of us wish for fame and fortune and there is nothing wrong in that.


The danger is that if one doesn,t have God first these things are likely to take the place of things we really treasure, the things money can,t buy.


Family, love, trust, caring, kindness, freedom; they can,t be bought at any price.


Please don,t misunderstand; I am not trying to judge Whitney. I have not walked in her footsteps or lived her life.


Although her voice was damaged by drugs and she couldn,t perform at the level she used to, she was still loved and adored by the masses, many who were rooting for her to make a comeback.

Remember Whitney Houston as a true superstar, who broke many records and for her great acting in the films, "WAITING TO EXHALE",  "THE BODYGUARD", and "THE PREACHER,S WIFE".
 She was human and subject to mistakes like any other human being.  I was overjoyed when it was announced there would be a "WAITING TO EXHALE PT.2"!
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I knew that she still had her acting ability and she could go on to make some great films, like in the past.


Sadly now, that won,t be the case.

Whitney Houston is gone, but she won,t be forgotten.

NEW DEFINITIVE OTIS REDDING DVD

Great news, old Soul Music Video Lovers!

The first full-length DVD of Otis Redding, undisputedly one of the greatest soul singers of all time has been released on dvd.

Zelma Redding, Otis' widow, has faithfully maintained her husband's legacy for the last 40 years. The 90 minute dvd features 16 complete performances filmed throughout America and Europe showcasing why Otis is considered one of the greatest soul singers of all time.

This DVD includes songs such as "I,VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG", "TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS", and "RESPECT".

Interviews  include not only Zelma Redding, Steve Cropper (who not only played guitar on Otis,s recordings but co-wrote many of his songs, but a few brief but rare interviews featuring Otis himself!

Below is a list of complete performances on this dvd;

Complete Performances:

1. Pain In My Heart (1965)
2. Mr. Pitiful (1965)
3. Just One More Day (1965)
4. I Can't Turn You Loose (1966)
5. I've Been Loving You Too Long (1967)
6. Satisfaction (1967)
7. My Girl (1967)
8. Don't Mess With Cupid (1966)
9. Any Ole Way (1966)
10. My Lover's Prayer (1966)
11. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) (1967)
12. Tramp (1967)
13. Shake (1967)
14. Glory Of Of Love (1967)
15. Try A Little Tenderness (1967)
16. Respect (1967)
 This review is from: Dreams To Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding (DVD);
 

 

 "This is a DVD documentary on a truly great artist done ABSOLUTELY RIGHT and as Otis would say in "Hard to Handle"-yessiram!
Unlike most documentaries of musicians, these guys understand that this is the DVD age where they are not limited by time for commercials. 

They put the films of Otis' songs IN THEIR ENTIRETY balancing this with enough interview footage from those who really know him (no second-guessing talking head academics here). These combine to make this DVD a TEN-star winner.
Surprisingly, no footage from Otis' classic 1966 appearance on the British TV show Ready Steady Go (which occasionally appeared on American Cable TV in the late 80s.

  It was available on VHS for a brief spell)  but  it's hardly missed here since what we have is so excellent and The Big-O's likeable charisma shines through on even the lip-synchs.
The songs from "The!!!Beat" (1966) in color, especially a rarely heard tune called "Don't Mess With Cupid" is loads of fun with our man dancing with some really sumptious soul sisters (hard to believe these women are probably now in their sixties!).
The promotional clip of "Tramp" (minus Carla Thomas on film) is quite a hoot!

Otis makes fun of his country image by bumbling around his farm in Macon with overalls and riding bareback on a donkey (that actually moves in time to the song). 

Then we see our hero transformed with a green suit to match the dollar bills that fall from his pockets (eerily, he also poses with the very plane that he lost his life in)!

I recall one book saying that there is a lost TV clip of Otis and Carla doing a "Black honeymooners" routine to this song. That would be interesting to see.

The last two clips of our humble hero performing "Try a Little tenderness" and "Respect" in Cleveland n the day before his death with the original Bar Kays (who also died on that plane crash).

These guys really did perform as if it's their last day on earth and Otis' interjection of Aretha Franklin's version of his famous tune will knock you out of your seat!


The Redding Family, musicians Steve Cropper and Wayne Jackson, as well as Stax head honcho Jim Stewart make clear their affection for our man and what made him so special.

After you see this wonderful DVD, you too will understand. Support DVD's like this to get more domestic bootleg-free classic R&B on DVD."