James Brown

USA, 1956–2006

The Godfather of Soul and Father of Funk, whose explosive stage presence and rhythmic innovations defined soul, funk and hip-hop.

Influenced by

• Louis Jordan
• Little Richard
• Little Willie John

Influenced

• Toots and the Maytals
• Bruno Mars
• Kool and the Gang
• Nile Rodgers
• KC and the Sunshine Band
• Small Faces
• Sly and the Family Stone
• Otis Redding
• The Temptations
• The Who
• DJ Kool Herc
• Kurtis Blow
• Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
• Beastie Boys
• The Allman Brothers Band
• Prince
• Michael Jackson
• Parliament-Funkadelic
• Chic
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Public Enemy
• Aerosmith
• Talking Heads
• Can
• The Jackson 5
• N.W.A
• Isaac Hayes
• John Mellencamp