The definitive biography of james brown the godfather of soul with fascinating findings on his life as a civil rights activist an entrepreneur and the most innovative musician of our time playing 350 shows a year at his peak with more than forty billboard hits james brown was a dazzling showman who transformed american music. James brown born may 3 1933 barnwell south carolina us died december 25 2006 atlanta georgia american singer songwriter arranger and dancer who was one of the most important and influential entertainers in 20th century popular music and whose remarkable achievements earned him the sobriquet the hardest working man in show business. Overview the definitive biography of james brown the godfather of soul with fascinating findings on his life as a civil rights activist an entrepreneur and the most innovative musician of our time playing 350 shows a year at his peak with more than forty billboard hits james brown was a dazzling showman who transformed american music. James brown an untrained musician mind you operating on not much more than feel instinct and desire revolutionized black pop music setting off depth charges that would still be