Story by: Gail Nobles

James Brown was live in Rome in 1971. In Rome, he was singing Sex Machine, Give It Up or Turn It Loose,It's A Man's World, Soul Power, Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved, and Sunny. The show originally aired on an Italian music program Teatro 10.

 Rome was a good place for James Brown to perform. It looked as if Rome loved his entertainment and performance. They loved James Brown. There was great applause. Featured in the show was Bootsy and Phelps Collins.

 Before the Internet came along, I couldn't really imagine James Brown in  Rome. I have never been to Rome, and I always think of its past. I'm sure now there is a modern side to Rome. When I saw the video clip of James Brown performing there, I had no idea that where he was performing was Rome. I thought it was America.

 James Brown performed in Rome the year I was born, 1971. So you know I didn't know anything about James Brown and Rome then. Then I learned later as I grew older about James Brown. He was a man born in Barnwell, South Carolina, and I was born in North Carolina. James Brown was born down south like myself, and I learned that he performed in Rome; a man with so much talent. Before I learned about where he was born, I thought he was born in New York or California. With the talent James Brown had, he prove it doesn't matter where you come from. Know I see how he became successful and was able to travel to Rome. James Brown shared what  he called the Funk; a genre he invented. The Godfather of Soul. 

You're listening to the Buzzly Podcast. I am your host, Gail Nobles.