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First there was Fergusson, where James Brown, a black teenager, stole a few Cigarillos. He was punished by death. Darren Wilson, a trigger-happy white cop, didn't have to stand trial for the murder. a grand jury let him off the hook. The resulting unrest in the community was severe. Fourteen businesses were looted and torched, and 3,000 national guardsmen were brought in to quiet things down. Then another minor offense, selling cigarettes without tax stamps on the packages was punished by death at the hands of a white officer. He used a chokehold, forbidden by New York City Police Department...

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) - More than two months after he died, soul singer James Brown's body was placed in a crypt Saturday at the home of one of his daughters, though it likely will not be his final resting place. Brown's body had been kept in a secret location during disputes over his estate. He died Dec. 25 at age 73. The Rev. Al Sharpton presided over the private ceremony held for family and a few friends at the home of Deanna Brown Thomas. Also attending were Brown's partner, Tomi Rae Hynie, and the couple's young son. "This is...

James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured "Godfather of Soul," whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said. He was 73. Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said. Copsidas said the cause of death was uncertain. "We really don't know at this point what he died of," he said. Pete Allman, a radio personality in Las Vegas who...

James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul" and a legend in rap, rock and funk, has announced that he has prostate cancer. AP Photo Reuters Slideshow: James Brown In a statement released to The Associated Press on Friday morning, Brown, 71, said that he will undergo surgery for the ailment on Dec. 15. "I have overcome a lot of things in my life. I will overcome this as well," Brown said. Brown, best known for seminal hits like "I Feel Good," "Please, Please, Please," and "Cold Sweat," is also a diabetic. Dubbed the hardest working man in show business, he just...

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has named James Brown, the so-called "Godfather of Soul," to a new and unusual, but apparently fictitious, senior diplomatic position, the State Department said. Spokesman Richard Boucher confirmed Monday that Powell had indeed appointed Brown to be the first US "secretary of soul and foreign minister of funk" but said the job description for the post had not yet been drawn up. In addition, he told reporters that it was uncertain whether the new title carried with it any salary or if Brown would be entitled to an office at the State Department. "I...

COLUMBIA - Singer James Brown was granted a pardon Tuesday for his past crimes in South Carolina. The Godfather of Soul appeared before the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services on Tuesday. Agency spokesman Pete O'Boyle said Mr. Brown had friends, family and state lawmakers speak on his behalf. The seven-member board granted Mr. Brown a pardon for his crimes in 1988 and 1998. After the board made its decision, Mr. Brown sang God Bless America to the crowd, said his publicist Dan Forman. "God bless America on this beautiful day. I hope my pardon shows the youth...

James Brown Celebrates 70th Birthday 37 minutes ago AIKEN, S.C. - The Godfather of Soul is celebrating 70 — and feels good. "It's been seven decades alive and over five decades onstage, and I still feel good," James Brown said from his Beech Island home. Brown, who celebrated his birthday Saturday, says he recently lost 13 pounds and is focused on good health. "I'm getting back into my clothes again. I stopped eating late at night," Brown said. The two-time Grammy award winner has recorded more than 110 charted singles including "Out of Sight," "(Get Up I Feel Like Being...

HOUSTON (AP) - Soul superstar James Brown donated 400 tickets to military personnel for his concert in Houston. Brown, 69, said the free tickets for Saturday night's concert were intended to give a boost to military workers as the U.S.-led war with Iraq continues. "I grew up as a poor boy and was able to rise up and be an entertainer and help others," Brown said through a spokeswoman Friday. "I wanted to do what I could do to help our nation in this time of need." Backed by the Soul Generals, Brown launched his current tour Dec. 27, marking...