Legendary Musicians’ Famous Last Words

James Brown

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Legendary soul singer, James Brown, had a long and storied life. He began working as a gospel singer when he was just a kid and later transitioned to soul and then to funk. He is also known to have inspired countless musicians over the years including fellow legend Michael Jackson, who attempted to replicate his iconic dance moves as a young child with the Jackson Five.

James has been repeatedly named one of the best artists of all time. However, his life was not without difficulty. He reportedly struggled with drug abuse and was also known to be abusive in his relationships. At the time of his death, James was undergoing a bad bout of pneumonia. At 73 years old, the illness and his poor health proved too much for the singer to overcome. On Christmas Day in 2006, James passed away due to congestive heart failure. Before he passed he managed to say his last words, “I’m going away tonight.”