Mike Judge Presents: Tales From the Tour Bus

James Brown, a.k.a. “Mr. Dynamite”, was renowned for his infectious voice and unbelievable dance moves. Between his womanizing ways, perfectionist attitude and daredevil style, he built an empire that went far beyond entertaining, often alienating musicians and business partners along the way.

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just ten pillows, and it's all covered with hair.

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about his childhood days.

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is a professor of history and African-American studies,

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is able to move across even the highest wall

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But Joe, his father,

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I would tap dance for the soldiers, and they would throw

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Really, the foundation of James Brown's music is his dancing.

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The first concert I ever went to was James Brown.

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to Harlem, to the Apollo.

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Like I didn't know what was going on.

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but they were watching Gorgeous George

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in prison... well, juvenile detention.

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They turned me loose to sing gospel one mornin',

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Bobby Byrd and his family, you know, go to reform school, say,

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A lot of us can't do stuff like that...

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James was almost impossible.

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mic thing that James Brown does, you know, when he...

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named Bea Ford, very attractive woman.

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♪ It came to me today ♪

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"I taught her how to fix her hair,

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Otis Redding hid behind the piano.

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So basically, they bought everyone's silence.

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stars that were coming out of the Motortown Revue.

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he had the best show, he had to have the best band.

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If you weren't soaked with sweat when you walked off stage,

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"James ain't payin us, and he got all that money,"

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and they said, "That's our money."

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Maceo Parker,

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- ♪ Get up ♪ - ♪ Get on up ♪

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♪ Shake your money maker ♪

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like, the band's behind him,

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I mean, take our money, is that all you're gonna do?

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But them shoes you got on, the...

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but he wasn't the guy you hang with, you know?

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"Come on, dude, you don't want to be killing yourself, man,

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- Drummer? - Yes!

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"You'll never get another opportunity like this in your life.

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And he wanted to control the lives

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I said, "That might be so,

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he told me that he was in love with me.

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And when I said that Bobby needs me,

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If we were, you know, stuck in some remote town,

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Then, I found out that there were different reasons...

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He was all power at one point, all power.

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and then ship it out to his radio stations,

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and Brown about what to do.

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♪ Without a woman or a girl ♪

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