I’m a few days late on posting this, but as an Augusta, GA native, I’m taking a moment to remember James Brown.

Brown was admitted to the Emory Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia on December 24, 2006 after a dentist visit where he was found to have severe pneumonia. Brown died the next day on December 25, 2006, Christmas Day, at around 1:45 a.m. aged 73. The cause of death was heart failure, according to his agent. James was quoted saying “I’m going away tonight” sometime before he passed away. He then took three long, quiet breaths, and closed his eyes. Brown’s body rested on the stage of legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, the site of his debut. A private ceremony was held in Brown’s hometown of Augusta, Georgia and another public ceremony was officiated by Rev. Al Sharpton, a day later at the James Brown Arena there. [source: Wikipedia]

This was sad news to receive on a Christmas morning, my family spent a little time talking about it. Let’s remember Brown for his musical talents. In other news, Spike Lee has signed on to direct a James Brown biopic:

Lee will rewrite a draft recently turned in by Jezz and John Henry Butterworth. The script has been through several drafts since Steve Baigelman wrote the original. [source: comingsoon.net]

I’m not sure how I feel about the film… it could be good. I mean Ray good, or it could suck horribly. You never know.