Tributes have been flooding in for legendary singer James Brown who passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 73. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has described his death as a "huge loss" to music while many stars of the entertainment world are expected to turn out for the public funeral on Saturday in Georgia.
The man known as the "Godfather of Soul", famous for a string of hits in the 1950s and 60s including Papa's Got A Brand New Bag and Out Of Sight, will lie in state at New York's famous Apollo Theatre - the site of his debut performance. "It would almost be unthinkable for a man who lived such a sensational life to go away quietly," said his friend the Reverend Al Sharpton.
His passing hasn't been entirely without controversy, however. The singer's lawyer has claimed that the late star and his partner Tomi Rae Hynie, one of his former backing singers, were not legally married and she has been locked out of the home they shared in South Carolina. "It is not a reflection on her as an individual," said lawyer Buddy Dallas.
She was already married at the time of her wedding to James and even though the earlier marriage was later annulled, another ceremony was never arranged. Tomi, who is mother to their five-year-old son, found the gates of the property locked and was not allowed to enter. She argues that she has a legal right to live in the house. "He was a difficult man to live with, but he was a great man," she said. "I was the only one who could handle James."
Meanwhile a film about his life is already in the works. Spike Lee is to direct and production is due to start in 2008. Before his death, James Brown had already approved the use of his music on the soundtrack.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
