James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," whose frenetic singing style and bold rhythms brought funk into the mainstream and influenced a new generation of black music, died on Christmas morning at age 73. 　

 

 

The singer held a sold-out concert in Shanghai earlier this February. Mr. Robb, with the concert's organizer China West Entertainment, told Shanghai Morning Post that he was negotiating with Brown's agent about a Beijing concert in 2007. 　　

 

The organizer said, "Though it hadn't been decided yet, his agent expressed that James Brown was willing to stop in Beijing if he wound up touring Asia next year." 　

 

Unfortunately, the Shanghai concert proved to be Brown's first and last show in the Chinese mainland. 　

 

Brown died on Monday at Emory Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta after being admitted on Saturday for severe pneumonia.

 

One of America's greatest showmen and band leaders, Brown created a revolutionary sound that mixed funky rhythms and staccato horns behind his own often explosive vocals.

 

(CRI December 26, 2006)