James Joseph Brown, Jr. is widely considered one of the most seminal, influential figures in 20th century music.

He had a raspy, gospel-style voiced that, combined with a horn-section that punctuated his funky, frenetic rhythms, evolved into a distinct, revolutionary style of music.

James Brown hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 or Billboard Top R-and-B Singles in each of four decades:

1956: Please, Please, Please

1959: Try Me

1960: Think

1961: Baby, You're Right

1961: Bewildered

1961: I Don't Mind

1962: Lost Someone

1962: Night Train

1963: Prisoner of Love

1965: Papa's Got a Brand New Bag

1965: I Got You (I Feel Good)

1966: Ain't That a Groove

1966: Don't Be A Drop-Out

1966: `It's a Man's Man's Man's World

1966: Sweet Little Baby Bo

1967: Cold Sweat

1967: Let Yourself Go

1968: I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)

1968: I Got The Feelin

1968: Licking Stick - Licking Stick

1968: Say it Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud

1968: There Was A Time

1969: Ain't It Funky Now

1969: Give It Up Or Turn It A Loose

1969: I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door, I'll Get It Myself)

1969: Let A Man Come In And Do The Popcorn

1969: Mother Popcorn (You Got To Have A Mother For Me)

1970: Get Up (I Feel Like Being Like A) Sex Machine

1970: Santa Claus Is Definitely Here To Stay

1970: Super Bad

1971: Escape-ism

1971: Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved

1971: Hot Pants (She Got To Use What She Got To Get What She Wants)

1971: I'm A Greedy Man

1971: Make It Funky

1971: Soul Power

1972: Get On The Good Foot

1972: King Heroin''

1972: Talking Loud And Saying Nothing

1973: I Got A Bag Of My Own

1973: Sexy, Sexy, Sexy

1974: Funky President (People It's Bad)

1974: My Thang

1974: Papa Don't Take No Mess

1974: Stone To The Bone

1974: The Payback

1976: Get Up Offa That Thing

1985: Living in America