James Brown

James Brown was born on May 3, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina, and died on December 25, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia. While not a comic book creator, his music and persona have permeated popular culture, including occasional references in the medium. As the central progenitor of funk music, Brown's influence on 20th-century music is immense. He began singing gospel in Toccoa, Georgia, before rising to fame in the mid-1950s as lead singer of the Famous Flames, a group founded by Bobby Byrd. With dynamic performances and hits like "Please, Please, Please" and "Try Me," he built a reputation as a thrilling live act. His 1960s peak included the landmark *Live at the Apollo* album and singles such as "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)." By the early 1970s, he had fully established the funk sound with his backing band the J.B.s and records like "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine." Brown also delivered social commentary with 1968's "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud." He was among the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and later received honors from the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His recordings have been heavily sampled by hip-hop artists, cementing his legacy as a foundational figure in modern music.