Fans of James Brown have gathered outside the Apollo Theater in New York today (December 28), in preparation for the public viewing of his casket.
They will pay their respects as his body lies in state at the world famous venue. The casket will spend seven hours on the stage and his friend Reverend Al Sharpton will deliver a prayer and eulogy to the singer.
Brown recorded one of the classic live albums at the Harlem venue in the Sixties.
Brown fan Amino Hyman who was waiting outside the Apollo Theater told TV network CW-11: “He made black people feel proud to be black and enjoy out roots.
“When we had nothing else to look forward to or look up to, we always had our music. James Brown was definitely one of the ones that empowered us.”
As previously reported, Brown's public funeral is due to take place on Saturday (December 30) at 1300 local time (1800) GMT in a 8,500 seat arena in the city of Augusta.
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