Lepaparazzi News Update: Fans in Augusta Pay Tribute to Brown

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - The James Brown statue on Broad Street, his hometown, was draped in an American flag and a red scarf Tuesday as several dozen people gathered to pay their respects to the late singer.

Flowers were left at the base of the statue in tribute to Brown, who died Monday in Atlanta. He was 73.

One visitor to the statue, John Arthur Thomas, 73, of Daleville, Ala., said he stopped by because Brown was a legend and he had "done a lot of things from the heart to help people."

"There were some troubled times in his life, like everybody else, but he meant well," Thomas said. "He is a legend. There will never be another James Brown."

Consuelo Miller, 32, of Syracuse, N.Y., whose husband, Rodney, is stationed at Fort Gordon with the U.S. Army, came to the statue with her son and stepdaughter so her children could say that they were there.

"I just wanted to bring the kids down here to let them see a great star," Miller said. "He is the `Godfather of Soul.'"

The Rev. Al Sharpton will officiate at Brown's funeral service, details of which were still incomplete, said Brown's agent, Frank Copsidas.

Sharpton said he and Brown's two daughters planned to view the singer's body Tuesday afternoon at an Augusta funeral home and finalize funeral arrangements.

Brown's daughter-in-law Diane Dean Rouse said she hoped the funeral would be open to the people of Augusta.

The singer died of heart failure less than two days after he had been hospitalized with pneumonia and only three days after leading his annual holiday toy giveaway in Augusta.

He also had diabetes and prostate cancer that was in remission. But he initially seemed fine at the hospital and talked about his New Year's Eve show at B.B. King Blues Club in New York, Copsidas said.

The B.B. King club, which promised ticket holders a replacement show, will announce Wednesday who will be filling the spot, said public relations director Rena Siwek.

"We're working furiously here," Siwek said.

The New York City club wasn't the only venue affected by Brown's death. Some 1,400 tickets had been sold as of late last week for a show Wednesday night at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, Conn. The show was to kick off a national tour. The theater box office was issuing refunds.
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