Brown's life was one characterized by numerous hits, the most famous arguably being “Papa's Got a Brand New Bag,” but one which also saw him getting headlines for the wrong reasons. He served three years in prison on drugs charges and for threatening members of the public with a firearm after a car chase in 1988, serving half of his original six-year sentence. Brown was also arrested on a number of occasions for alleged domestic abuse and his third of four wives, Adrienne Rodriegues, called police on four occasions to have her husband arrested. Despite his colorful private life, Brown will go down as a singer who could control a stage and those who have witnessed him perform live will remember his superb showmanship and extravagant costumes.

Update: Apparently Tommie Raye, Browns widow, was to be entitled to the majority of his estate, but it seems, she may have a fight on her hands because it's a possibility Brown didn't leave her in his will. The following appeared in a newspaper this morning: James Brown's widow says she can't go home. Tommie Raye Brown tells the Augusta Chronicle she was at a retreat when her husband died in an Atlanta hospital Christmas morning. She says she tried to return to their South Carolina home hours later, but the gate was padlocked. Mrs. Brown says security guards told her they're under orders from her late husband's lawyer and accountant not to let her in. Brown acknowledges she doesn't own a deed to the home but says she has a legal right to live there. She says she has no money and nowhere else to go. The legendary entertainer and his wife have had a tumultuous relationship since their 2001 wedding. In 2004, James Brown pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge against her. The two had a five-year-old son together.

May God Bless James Brown and his family. Losing someone is terrible but the pain of losing someone on Christmas is un-imaginable. They will be in my prayers.

Posted by juiicySCOOP on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 6:07 AM | Permalink