While these are great titles, no one can deny that James Brown has earned them more than any other artist. While there were many other singers who were more famous, some were better than others, few African-American musicians have been as influential in popular music. No other pop musician put on a better, more thrilling stage show than Brown. His performances were a testament to his athletic stamina, and lightning-fast timing. Brown’s gospel-impassioned vocals and complex polyrhythms were a vital midwife in two revolutions in black American musical history. Brown was a key figure in turning R
