The GodFather of Soul Will Be Honored With Street Named After Him Behind The Legenday Apollo Theater In Harlem

Legendary singer James Brown who has been affectionately known at the “The Godfather of Soul” will soon have a street named in his honor located a block behind the Harlem, New York theater that helped turn him into a superstar.

The Apollo Theater had been very significant in Brown’s career. His first appearance at the Apollo was in 1959 opening for Little Willie John, according to allmusic.com. He would go on to perform over 600 live shows on the stage, a public memorial was held for him at the famed theater after his death.

James Brown will be honored and recognized later this month on the same day that a street behind the Apollo Theater is renamed after him, Daily News reported. 126th Street between avenues renamed after two other legendary black men, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. and Frederick Douglass Blvd will be known as ‘James Brown Way’

James Brown was known as one of the founding fathers of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century popular music and dance. In a career that spanned six decades, Brown influenced the development of several music genres, include hip-hop. James Brown is the most sampled artist in pop music history, Keith Murphy recently reported in Vibe Magazine. BET and Complex Magazine and several other music outlets confirm this fact. Brown’s hit single, ‘Funky Drummer’ has become the most sampled track ever in hip-hop history.

Brown recorded 90 number-one singles on the Billboard R&B charts. Brown also holds the record as the artist with the most number-one singles charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Brown was honored by many institutions including inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. In Joel Whitburn’s analysis of the Billboard R&B charts from 1942 to 2010, Hot R&B Songs, James Brown is ranked as number one in The Top 500 Artists. Brown is ranked seventh on the music magazine Rolling Stone’s list of its 100 greatest artists of all time.

In August 1, 2014, the movie “Get on Up” starring Chadwick Bosemen was based on the incredible life story of the Godfather of Soul.

Damon K. Jones

Damon K. Jones is an Activist, Author, and Publisher of Black Westchester Magazine, a Black-owned and operated newspaper based in Westchester County, New York.

Mr. Jones is a Spiritual Life Coach, Couples and Family Therapy Coach, Holistic Health Practitioner, First Aid in Mental Health Practioner, Diet and Nutrition Advisor, and Vegan, Vegetarian Nutrition Life Coach.

Mr. Jones is a 32-year Law Enforcement Practioner New York Representative of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America.

Mr. Jones has been a guest commentator on New York radio stations WBLS (107.5 FM), WLIB (1190 am), WRKS (98.7 FM), WBAI (99.5 FM), and Westchester's WVOX (1460 am). Mr. Jones has appeared on local television broadcasts, including Westchester News 12 "News Makers" and Public Television "Winbrook Pride. You can now hear Damon every Wednesday at 830 AM on WFAS at 1230 AM, Morning with Bob Marone Show.