"He was a superstar for common people, and I wanted to make sure that common people got to see him one last time,"
Rev. Al Sharpton told
The Associated Press shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday, at the start of his journey to New York, as James Brown's body was driven from Georgia for his last date on the historic stage.
A horse-drawn carriage waited to take Brown's casket through the streets of Harlem to the theater to begin three days of wakes, remembrances and a funeral of the kind normally reserved for royalty.
"It's going to be a royal day in Harlem," Sharpton said. He promised "the kind of homecoming we haven't seen in a long time, if ever, in the Harlem community."
Apollo historian
Billy Mitchell said Brown routinely drew the largest crowds of anyone at the theater, which opened in 1934.
The Apollo has been used for public viewings several times before, but always for employees. In August 1992, the theater provided a last chance to honor Ralph Cooper, who founded
Amateur Night, the weekly talent contest that launched the careers of Brown,
Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and
Ella Fitzgerald, among scores of others.
Brown will lie in repose from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday on the stage where he made his 1956 debut, with the quiet of final respects broken only by the sound of his music. There will be a program for family and close friends at 6 p.m.
Brown died of congestive heart failure on Christmas morning in Atlanta. He was 73. He continued to work to the end, dying less than a week before he was to perform New Year's Eve in Manhattan at
B.B. King's blues club. The Grammy Award-winning rhythm and blues performer,
Chaka Khan, will play instead.
VIBE's Tribute coverage to the late, great James Brown includes:
- A Slideshow
- A Video Tribute site featuring classic James Brown performances from the Ed Sullivan Show, with Aretha, and more - check it out!
VIBE has also created a special James Brown playlist - featuring some of the Godfather's greatest jams:
You can also comment on the passing of James Brown on our comment boards:
tell us YOUR opinion of what the Godfather's legacy will be.
Please check back with VIBE.com throughout the day and week for more on the passing of a music legend.
del.icio.us
digg
Furl
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Comments
1.
Marilyn says:
Rest in peace James and I pray that his family stays strong and settles things with his live in lover.
James brown made some beautiful music and every time i hear his music i have to get up and dance and shake my groove thang! His music is soul stirring and gives you that happy feeling inside. Whenever down and out, put on a james brown cd and dance!
December 28, 2006 at 11:48 am