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The One: The Life and Music of James Brown

by Rj Smith
Save 16% Save 16%
Current price ₹2,217.00
Original price ₹2,646.00
Original price ₹2,646.00
Original price ₹2,646.00
(-16%)
₹2,217.00
Current price ₹2,217.00

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Book cover type: Paperback
  • ISBN13: 9781592407422
  • Binding: Paperback
  • Subject: N/A
  • Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
  • Publisher Imprint: Penguin Publishing Group
  • Publication Date:
  • Pages: 480
  • Original Price: USD 27.0
  • Language: English
  • Edition: N/A
  • Item Weight: 477 grams
  • BISAC Subject(s): Music, Genres & Styles / Soul & R 'n B, and Individual Composer & Musician

The definitive biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, with fascinating findings on his life as a Civil Rights activist, an entrepreneur, and the most innovative musician of our time

Playing 350 shows a year at his peak, with more than forty Billboard hits, James Brown was a dazzling showman who transformed American music. His life offstage was just as vibrant, and until now no biographer has delivered a complete profile. The One draws on interviews with more than 100 people who knew Brown personally or played with him professionally. Using these sources, award-winning writer RJ Smith draws a portrait of a man whose twisted and amazing life helps us to understand the music he made.

The One delves deeply into the story of a man who was raised in abject-almost medieval-poverty in the segregated South but grew up to earn (and lose) several fortunes. Covering everything from Brown's unconventional childhood (his aunt ran a bordello), to his role in the Black Power movement, which used "Say It Loud (I'm Black and Proud)" as its anthem, to his high-profile friendships, to his complicated family life, Smith's meticulous research and sparkling prose blend biography with a cultural history of a pivotal era.

At the heart of The One is Brown's musical genius. He had crucial influence as an artist during at least three decades; he inspires pity, awe, and revulsion. As Smith traces the legend's reinvention of funk, soul, R&B, and pop, he gives this history a melody all its own.

RJ Smith has been a senior editor at Los Angeles magazine, a contributor to Blender, a columnist for The Village Voice, a staff writer for Spin, and has written for GQ, The New York Times Magazine, and Men's Vogue. His first book, The Great Black Way, was a Los Angeles Times bestseller and recipient of a California Book Award. He lives in Los Angeles.

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