James Brown: What Comes in the Door Is the 20th Century

To the editor,
    Reflecting on the life and times of the great James Brown. I think I was 11 years old when I saw him for the first time, improbably enough in a movie called Ski Party. There I was, a little kid skipping school to take in a double feature at a downtown Albany, N.Y., movie theatre. Enjoying my popcorn and the goofy antics of the Beach Blanket Bingo crowd on some ersatz slopes. When it happened. If you saw that movie, if you were around my age when you did, then I think you know what I'm talking about. The doors to the ski lodge open. And what happens next changes you forever. James Brown doesn't come in the door. James Brown and the Fabulous Flames don't come in the door. What comes in the door is the 20th century, what comes in the door is the beginning and the end of time, what comes in the door is your eyes, ears, mouth seeing, hearing, tasting for the very first time. The Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones, they all got me going. James Brown got me, nailed me to the floor, turned me upside down, let me know that my lap had far better uses than a place to hold my popcorn. We love you, James. Heaven just got a whole lot louder and a helluva lot more fun.