James Brown's Influence on Michael Jackson

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1. Topic Question:

Unquestionably one of the most influential musical pioneers of the last half-century, James Brown, often known as “The Godfather of Soul”, laid a musical foundation that many artists were influenced by. Ranging from Mick Jagger to Afrika Bambaataa to Jay Z, Brown’s musical characteristics can be seen in various artists. How did the music of Michael Jackson demonstrate the influence of James Brown?

2. Introduction:

“The Godfather of Soul”, better known as James Brown grew to be one of the most influential artists in Michael Jackson’s life. As a child Michael Jackson was intrigued by Brown’s flamboyant performances on stage and would soon begin to implement them into his own stage acts. By the age of five Michael Jackson was already sealed into a world of show business by his father, Joseph Jackson. Deprived of a childhood at a very young age, Michael and his siblings began a family-musical group called “The Jackson 5.” They began playing the soul hits they listened to on the radio all across the country. The band toured the Midwest extensively from 1966 to 1968, frequently performing at clubs and bars. In 1966, they won a major local talent show with renditions of Motown hits and a cover of “I Feel Good (I Got You)” by James Brown. It wasn’t until July 23, 1968 where they received major recognition by Motown owner, Berry Gordy. Gordy was reluctant to sign the “Jackson 5” but after their audition performance of the song “I Got the Feelin”, by James Brown, he changed his mind. In March 1969, “The Jackson 5”, were officially signed into Motown records. This marked a historical point in Michael Jackson’s life where his musical influences from James Brown would be noticed. Song’s from Michael Jackson that s...

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...Matt Forger: the secrets of Bad 25 (EN). Retrieved December 8, 2013. http://mjdatabank.com/mjjnews/wordpress/2012/10/09/chicago-1945-was-done-prior-to-al-capone-matt-forger-the-secrets-of-bad-25-en/

• 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time. Rollingstone.com. Retrieved December 8,2013http://web.archive.org/web/20080530224757/www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/20947527/page/33

• James Brown Saves Boston After MLK’s Assassination, Calls or Peace Across America (1968). Openculture.com. November 4, 2013. http://www.openculture.com/2013/11/james-brown-saves-boston-after-mlks-assassination.html

• Beat It (4:18) last.fm. Retrieved December 8, 2013. http://www.last.fm/music/Michael+Jackson/_/Beat+It

• Song Analysis Michael Jackson-Beat It. StudyMode.com Retrieved December 8,2013.http://www.studymode.com/essays/Song-Analysis-Micheal-Jackson-Beat-It-994580.html

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