I think seperating the artist from the art is possible. It's kind of like looking at Michael Jackson. Molestor or not you can't deny the fact that as an artist his work is amazing.

Rather Sharpton than the forth coming attractions of America's Mayor all over the place, maybe he'll put a dress on and entertain us, like he entertains the Neo freaks...God help us...

anyone else besides me tired of seeing al sharpton's mug throughout this whole thing? sure, they were friends – but it seems like he's using it to get a lot of face time in the press.

I like your humour Van Gogh's ear...very funny, very funny indeed.

I am proof that you can separate the artist from the artists' "work."

mihow,

surely 99% of the attendants today didn't know brown personally. james brown's actions didn't affect you.

somehow, i'm certain that his music has. or the music you may listen to. that's what's being commemorated.

it's not nice to speak ill of the dead.

Ronald Reagan, introduced, crack, the contra's, was a union buster, allowed Neil Bush to bilk a savings and loan co; created double digit inflation, just happened to be in the right place at the right time for the "Fall of Communism" As if the people's of Eastern Europe hadn't been struggling with that "Problem" for 40 years..and he has been -reinvented as Aristotle, we all know this is lie. Guiliani is going through the same dry cleaning, look at his private life. James Brown wasn't a Saint, who is? I would suggest reading on his early life. I'm not condoning spousal abuse... however water cooler judging is an American pastime.

can you separate them?...

there is the art and then there is the artist.

RIP to James Brown - Mr. Dynamite, Soul Brother # 1, so forth and on.

mihow - i guess his accomplishments shadow his abuse and negligence. he did contribute and shape modern music. all while coming up in the segregated south from a broken home and etc. not saying that should be an excuse for his behaviour and mistreatment of woman. if anything, alot of news coverage have mentioned about the drug abuse and beating of his wife. but, you've to be fair, i mean the man had such a legacy and impact in music for the 50+ years in the business - that's why he's that highly regarded. i mean Elvis is a legend and he has a shorter stinct in the business than James Brown (unfortunately to death), but, he's the "King of Rock n Roll" and, Elvis, himself, is a drug abuser.

Since, you mentioned about the abusiveness of the man, you probably know that he help uplift the black spirit during the civil rights movement and contribute alot to the embetterment of the youth with his foundation.

i find it fascinating that, when someone contributes to society in whatever way, shape or form, somehow, there's always a judgement on them base on something they've done in the past. For, example, Warren Buffett donates most of his wealth, and someone will point out, but, he used to be a neighborhood drug pusher (not that it's true). you get what i'm saying...

Human beings do odd things with dead bodies. Like parading them about, then displaying the bodies in public to be viewed by strangers. Kinda weird, imho.

I know it's probably disrespectful given the man is dead and all, but does anyone else find it rather troubling that such an abusive man can get so much praise dead or alive?

This man was in and out of jail for beating the crap out of women. I guess I just don't understand how that can be totally overlooked in the end.

He was a wife beater. Yeah, he wrote music and a lot of people love his music, but he was also a wife beater. He was also quite violent. Dead or not, I can't help but remember that.

Does this mean they'll be releasing a "Dead at the Apollo Theater 2006" album?

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