So, the final curtain has fallen on The Hardest Working Man in Show Business tm. It's sad to see him go, the man was a legend. His influence on the music over the last forty years is incalculable. Funky Drummer is the most sampled song of all of time, by some margin, I would guess (though as a drummer I have to give credit to the funky drummer in question, Clyde Stubblefield). The man practically invented funk music, and what a fine invention.
Say it loud (I'm black and I'm proud) also had a profound influence on politics (particularly in the United states, but not exclusively).
After missing out on several opportunities, I finally got to see him live a few years ago, and he was awesome - burning up the stage in his seventies! It's his live performances he'll be most remembered for, but In the Jungle Groove is one of my favourite albums, a truly great record.
So long Mr. Brown, you'll be missed...
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