The artist James Brown called the “best white soul singer”
Funk and soul music are among the most varied and wide-reaching genres out there. Everything from the colossal hits of Motown to the obscure and coveted singles of the northern soul scene can be placed firmly under the same umbrella. Within the movement, however, James Brown seemed to be an utterly unavoidable figure, laying the foundations for much of what the funk and soul landscape would later become through his unique performance style and celebrated discography.
Originally, Brown had entered the music industry during the 1950s as a gospel singer before answering his true calling as the king of funk and soul during the 1960s. During that era, Brown defined many of the tropes of the scene, as well as inspiring countless other artists to follow in his footsteps. Even outside of the soul scene, Brown left an undeniable mark on the face of musical performance in general, with his live performances and sheer energy affording an unparalleled reputation.
After establishing himself as a commercial titan during the 1960s, Brown’s career witnessed a pretty steady decline from the mid-1970s onwards. Of course, the performer could live off the success of tracks like ‘Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag’, ‘Get Up’, or ‘It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World’ indefinitely, but his personal controversies and ageing live act, caused Brown to go weary for many people. However, one person who never lost their appreciation for Brown was Rod Stewart, who followed in the wake of Brown’s soul influence.
From his early days as ‘Rod the Mod’ during the 1960s, Stewart had always had a natural appreciation for funk and soul music. He might have made a name for himself as an iconic rock singer of the 1970s while fronting The Faces, but his later solo material explored his vast range of musical influences, drawing from the influences of figures like Brown on multiple occasions.
As two of the most successful musicians of the 20th century, it is not all that surprising to find out that the pair crossed paths at points. The compliments that Brown delivered to Stewart, however, might come as something of a shock. Shortly before Brown’s death in 2006, he reportedly met with Stewart, during which time Brown apparently described Stewart as the “best white soul singer” in the world.
As we know, Brown did deteriorate quite rapidly towards his death, yet this still feels like a pretty egregious claim for him to make. After all, Stewart has rarely been a soul singer in an overt sense, and there are swathes upon swathes of white soul singers throughout musical history who are far more deserving of that moniker: Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, and even Amy Winehouse being a few notable examples that spring to mind.
Nevertheless, Stewart affirms that Brown did, indeed, call him the greatest white soul singer. “That’s what James Brown told me. I was very flattered,” he later recalled. “I went backstage to say hello and he was in very good spirits. Seemed to be all there still upstairs. His knees are playing him up and I told him I’ve got the same problem.” Despite being “all there”, Brown would pass away mere months later as a result of pneumonia and heart failure.
Stewart has attracted countless compliments over the course of his long and illustrious career, from fans and fellow musicians alike. For any self-respecting soul devotee, though, an endorsement from none other than James Brown certainly takes some beating.
