US:Thousands of James Brown fans lined up yesterday to bid farewell to the "Godfather of Soul" at a public viewing of his body on the New York stage where the singer first made his mark more than 40 years ago.
James Brown (73) - whose voice, showmanship and bold rhythms brought funk into the mainstream and influenced generations of music-makers - died on Christmas Day of congestive heart failure in Atlanta.
His body was carried on a horse-drawn carriage through Harlem to the Apollo Theatre yesterday. A 1962 self-funded recording of Brown performing at the Apollo became one of the singer's first hit albums.
"James Brown means everything to the black community," said Brenda Baskin (50) from Brooklyn, as she stood outside.
"[ Brown's lyrics] 'Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud' opened up the doors for black people to have more pride," she said.
"He told his people to hold their heads up and that there was something for them to be prideful in - themselves."
After the viewing, Brown's body goes to his home town of Augusta, Georgia, for a private service today. A line to view his remains snaked along almost three city blocks.
"I came out for soul brother No 1. That's who he is - James 'Butane' Brown, the man who set the stage on fire," said fan Fred Chinnery (50) from New Rochelle, New York.
"This man was the baddest man who ever put on a pair of dancing shoes and slid across the stage."