A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

Episode 39: “Please Please Please” by James Brown and the Famous Flames

Jul 1, 2019
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ANECDOTE

James Brown's Rough Childhood

  • James Brown's difficult childhood involved parental abandonment and being raised in a brothel.
  • Despite this, he showed early musical ambition, winning talent shows from age 11.
ANECDOTE

Meeting Bobby Byrd

  • While incarcerated, Brown met Bobby Byrd, who mentored him and facilitated his early release.
  • Brown joined Byrd's gospel group, transitioning to R&B and becoming a Little Richard impersonator.
ANECDOTE

Impersonating Little Richard

  • Little Richard's agent hired Brown and the Flames to fulfill Richard's smaller venue contracts since nobody knew what Richard looked like.
  • Brown adopted Richard's stage introduction, "the hardest working man in show business."
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