How Did James Brown Die?
James Brown died of Congestive heart failure (pneumonia) on December 25, 2006, at age 73.
What was James Brown's cause of death?
James Brown died on December 25, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 73. He was admitted to Emory Crawford Long Hospital with pneumonia on December 24 and died the following day of congestive heart failure. He had been feeling ill for several days before being hospitalized. His personal physician noted that he had deteriorated rapidly overnight.
How old was James Brown when they died?
James Brown was 73 years old at the time of death.
When did James Brown die?
James Brown died on December 25, 2006.
James Brown Biography
James Joseph Brown was born on May 3, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina, and grew up in extreme poverty in Augusta, Georgia. He taught himself music and formed his first group in the 1950s. His debut single Please Please Please launched his career in 1956. He pioneered funk music with Papa's Got a Brand New Bag in 1965 and became known as the Hardest Working Man in Show Business for his relentless touring schedule. His rhythmic innovations — emphasizing the first beat of each measure — fundamentally changed popular music and became the foundation of funk, hip-hop, and virtually all modern dance music. He is the most sampled artist in music history.
Personal Life
Who are James Brown's parents?
Joseph James Brown, Susie Behling
Was James Brown married?
| Name | Married | Divorced |
|---|---|---|
| Velma Warren | 1953 | 1969 |
| Deidre Jenkins | 1970 | 1981 |
| Adrienne Lois Rodriguez | 1984 | 1996 |
| Tomi Rae Hynie | 2001 | 2006 |
Did James Brown have children?
James Brown had 9 children: Tryni Brown, Larry Brown, Daryl Brown, Terry Brown, James Brown II, Venisha Brown, Deanna Brown Thomas, Yamma Brown, Michael Brown.
What religion was James Brown?
James Brown was Christian (Baptist).
What was James Brown's ethnicity?
James Brown was of African American heritage.
Career Highlights
Movies
- The Blues Brothers (1980)
- Rocky IV (1985)
- Doctor Detroit (1983)
Albums
- Please Please Please (1959)
- Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (1965)
- It's a Man's Man's Man's World (1966)
- Cold Sweat (1967)
- Sex Machine (1970)
- Hot Pants (1971)
- Hell (1974)
Awards
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1992)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986)
- Kennedy Center Honors (2003)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumous consideration)
Facts About James Brown
- He is considered the most sampled artist in music history
- He performed over 300 shows a year during his peak — earning him the title The Hardest Working Man in Show Business
- He died on Christmas Day 2006
- His influence on hip-hop, funk, and R&B is unparalleled
- He once quelled a potential race riot in Boston in 1968 with a televised concert after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
James Brown Quotes
"I got my soul from the music. The music gave me a way out."
"Hair is the first thing. And teeth the second. Hair and teeth. A man got those two things he's got it all."
Legacy
James Brown is the most sampled artist in music history and the primary architect of funk music. His rhythmic innovations form the backbone of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic dance music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in its inaugural class in 1986. Rolling Stone ranked him the seventh greatest artist of all time. His influence on Michael Jackson, Prince, and virtually every pop and hip-hop artist that followed is immeasurable.
Sources
Last verified: 2026-06-05