How James Brown Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of James Brown continue to shape the world today.

James Brown, an iconic American singer, songwriter, dancer, and musician, is widely regarded as the "Godfather of Soul" and the central progenitor of funk music. Known for his energetic performances and relentless work ethic, he earned nicknames like "Mr. Dynamite" and "the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business." His influential career spanned over five decades, shaping the development of various music genres. Brown was among the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, and his music has been extensively sampled, highlighting his enduring impact on music and popular culture.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1980: Mention in The Police Song

In 1980, The Police refer to "James Brown on the T.A.M.I. Show" in their song "When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around".

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January 23, 1986: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

On January 23, 1986, James Brown was one of the first ten inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, marking a significant recognition of his contributions to music.

September 1993: Dedication of James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge

In September 1993, the "James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge" was officially dedicated in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and James Brown appeared at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

November 1993: Dedication of James Brown Boulevard

In November 1993, Mayor Charles DeVaney of Augusta held a ceremony to dedicate a section of 9th Street, renamed "James Brown Boulevard", in honor of James Brown.

1996: Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History

According to the Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History (1996), as a vocalist, James Brown performed in a forceful shout style derived from gospel music, and "his rhythmic grunts and expressive shrieks harked back farther still to ring shouts, work songs, and field cries".

January 10, 1997: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

On January 10, 1997, a ceremony was held to honor James Brown with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2002: Creation of I Feel Good, Inc. Trust

In 2002, James Brown advised in his will that most of the money in his estate go into creating the I Feel Good, Inc. Trust to benefit disadvantaged children and provide scholarships for his grandchildren.

2003: Pardon by South Carolina

In 2003, James Brown was pardoned by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services for past crimes committed in South Carolina.

2004: Ranked No. 7 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked James Brown as No. 7 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

May 2005: Unveiling of James Brown Statue

In May 2005, the city of Augusta unveiled a life-sized bronze James Brown statue on Broad Street as a 72nd birthday present for Brown.

2005: Approval to Change Augusta's Slogan

In 2005, Charles "Champ" Walker and the We Feel Good Committee received approval to change Augusta's slogan to "We Feel Good".

October 15, 2006: Ceremony for the Unveiling of the James Brown Arena

On October 15, 2006, James Brown attended a ceremony for the unveiling of the James Brown Arena, formerly the city's civic center.

December 28, 2006: Public Memorial Service at the Apollo Theater

On December 28, 2006, a public memorial service for James Brown was held at the Apollo Theater in New York City, attended by relatives, celebrities, and thousands of fans.

December 29, 2006: Private Memorial Ceremony in North Augusta

On December 29, 2006, a private memorial ceremony was held in North Augusta, South Carolina, with James Brown's family in attendance, following his death.

December 30, 2006: Public Memorial Service at the James Brown Arena

On December 30, 2006, another public memorial service was held at the James Brown Arena in Augusta, Georgia, following James Brown's death, with numerous celebrities and fans in attendance.

January 11, 2007: Reading of the Will

On January 11, 2007, during the reading of James Brown's will, it was revealed that his six adult living children were named in the document, but Hynie and James II were not mentioned as heirs.

January 24, 2007: Children File Lawsuit Regarding the Estate

On January 24, 2007, James Brown's children filed a lawsuit petitioning the court to remove the personal representatives from the estate due to perceived impropriety and alleged mismanagement of Brown's assets.

January 31, 2007: Hynie Files Lawsuit Against the Estate

On January 31, 2007, Hynie filed a lawsuit against James Brown's estate, challenging the validity of the will and the irrevocable trust, seeking recognition as Brown's widow, and requesting the appointment of a special administrator for the estate.

February 11, 2007: Grammy Awards Tribute

During the 49th Annual Grammy Awards presentation on February 11, 2007, James Brown was honored with his famous cape draped over a microphone and a performance of "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by Christina Aguilera, followed by a dance routine by Chris Brown.

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April 2007: Guardian Ad Litem Selected

In April 2007, Hynie selected a guardian ad litem whom she wanted the court to appoint to represent her son, James Brown Jr., in paternity proceedings.

May 2007: Posthumous Honorary Doctorate from Paine College (Scheduled)

James Brown was originally scheduled to receive an honorary doctorate from Paine College during its May 2007 commencement, but it was postponed.

August 2007: DNA Tests Reveal Extramarital Children

According to an August 2007 article in The Daily Telegraph, DNA tests indicated that James Brown fathered at least three extramarital children.

December 22, 2007: First Annual Tribute Fit For the King of King Records

On December 22, 2007, the first annual "Tribute Fit For the King of King Records" in honor of James Brown was held at the Madison Theater in Covington, Kentucky. Organized by Bootsy Collins, the tribute featured Tony Wilson as Young James Brown, with appearances by Afrika Bambaataa, Chuck D of Public Enemy, the Soul Generals, Buckethead, Freekbass, Triage and many of Brown's surviving family members. During the show, the mayor of Cincinnati proclaimed December 22 as James Brown Day.

2007: Posthumous Collaboration with Annie Lennox

Before his death, James Brown had been scheduled to perform a duet with singer Annie Lennox on the song "Vengeance" for her new album Venus, which was released in 2007.

2007: The Rolling Stones Tribute to James Brown

In 2007, as a tribute to James Brown, the Rolling Stones covered "I'll Go Crazy" from Brown's Live at the Apollo album during their European tour. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin acknowledged Brown's significant impact, stating he was a musical genre in his own right.

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2010: Called Greatest Musician of the Rock Era

In a 2010 article for Rolling Stone, Robert Christgau called James Brown "the greatest musician of the rock era".

April 14, 2012: The Famous Flames Retroactively Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

On April 14, 2012, The Famous Flames were automatically and retroactively inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside James Brown, without the need for nomination and voting, on the basis that they should have been inducted with him in 1986.

August 2013: Induction into the R&B Music Hall of Fame

In August 2013, James Brown was posthumously honored and inducted into the R&B Music Hall of Fame at a ceremony held at Cleveland State University.

2013: Posthumous Induction into Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame

In 2013, James Brown was posthumously inducted into the first class of the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame as an artist, honoring his contributions to music.

January 27, 2015: Hynie Ruled Legal Widow

On January 27, 2015, a judge ruled Hynie as Brown's legal widow, determining her status for the distribution of Brown's estate, based on the invalidity of her previous marriage and Brown's abandonment of annulment efforts.

February 19, 2015: South Carolina Supreme Court Intervenes in Estate Case

On February 19, 2015, the South Carolina Supreme Court intervened, halting all lower court actions in the estate of James Brown and undertaking to review previous actions itself.

2015: James Brown Tribute Box

In early 2015, ART THE BOX project led to the creation of the James Brown Tribute Box, designed and painted by Ms. Robbie Pitts Bellamy, located on the corner of James Brown Blvd. and Broad St. in Augusta, Georgia.

2017: Posthumous Induction into Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame as a Songwriter

In 2017, James Brown was posthumously inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame as a songwriter, further cementing his legacy.

July 2018: Court of Appeals Rules Hynie Was Mr. Brown's Wife

In July 2018, the South Carolina Court of Appeals ruled that Hynie was, in fact, Mr. Brown's wife.

June 17, 2020: Hynie Not Legally Married

On June 17, 2020, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that Hynie was not legally married to Brown due to her failure to annul her previous marriage, thus denying her any rights to his estate.

2020: SC Supreme Court Rules Hynie Was Not Legally Married

In 2020, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that Hynie had not been legally married to James Brown and did not have a right to his estate.

July 2021: Settlement Reached in Estate Battle

It was reported in July 2021 that James Brown's family had reached a settlement, ending the 15-year battle over the estate.

April 24, 2023: James Brown Inducted into Atlantic City Walk Of Fame

On April 24, 2023, James Brown was posthumously inducted into the Atlantic City Walk Of Fame, presented by The National R&B Music Society Inc. His daughter, Deanna Brown Thomas, accepted the honor at a ceremony in Brighton Park, Atlantic City, NJ. Bowlegged Lou of Full Force inducted Brown, along with other artists like Little Anthony & The Imperials, The Delfonics, and Grover Washington Jr.