James Brown

James Brown

Recording Category Star

• Ceremony was on January 10, 1997

Recording Star for James Brown

Shoe Shine Kit

Believe It or Not!
James Brown often recalled his early shoe shine career, his favorite location being the steps of a radio station. Years later, as an international megastar, he returned and bought the radio station

• Shown here is one of Brown's original childhood shoe shine kits acquired directly from Brown's estate!

Godfather of Soul

The Sex Machine Suit
This black wool rhinestone jumpsuit - dubbed the "Sex Machine suit"- was owned and worn by the "Godfather of Soul," "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business" - James Brown. One of Brown's trademarks was his amazing dance moves.

• Believe It or Not!, Brown coordinated his dance moves to lead his band without having to look at them.

Rock N' Roll Royalty

Inaugural HOF Member
Inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in the inaugural ceremonies in 1986, James Brown has paved the way for every rhythm and blues and soul singer.

• Born the son of a sharecropper, at his death on Christmas Day 2006, Brown's estate, excluding future royalites, was valued at close to $100 million - Believe It or Not!

Golden Drum Award

Presented to James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, on June 29, 2001
This Golden Drum Martin Luther King Award honors Brown's contribution to the "Music of the Movement."

• Brown singlehandedly stopped riots in Boston by giving an emotional plea for non-violence, followed by an electrifying concert that soothed the thousands of angry protesters.

Kennedy Center Honor

For an extraordinary lifetime of contributions to American culture through the performing arts.

John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Five Honorees:

• James Brown
• Carol Burnett
• Mike Nichols
• Loretta Lynn
• Itzhak Perlman