James Brown on David Letterman

[@samsonlink8146]

Letterman was a good guest on the James brown show

[@joemorgese]

Da boss🙂

[@YOULOOTWESHOOT101]

THE BOSS

[@terrencedeagle4429]

Lol

[@bmuhamad]

Yes he was.

[@bmuhamad]

The best.

[@bushidowarrior4917]

James Brown was NOT expecting the band to be this good, whereas the band had been preparing for this moment for years!!! One of the greatest live musical performances on American TV !!!

[@bushidowarrior4917]

Thanks

[@frankwalders]

The Letterman band has always been insanely good. Hiram Bullock was one the best guitar players of the 80s

[@danielrust7838]

Back in 1982, a band consisting Paul Shaffer, Hiram Bullock, Steve Jordan, and Will Lee would be relatively unknown. But looking back 40 years, this was a crazy good Late Night band Rhythm Section

[@danilo16410]

@@danielrust7838 --- Really good, I didn't know, I thought they was James Brown Band.

[@frankwalders]

@@danielrust7838 Yes true, they were all very much in the beginning of their careers. Paul Shaffer really had a knack for attracting the best session players.

[@professorsouthside]

THIS is a prime example of why they were called "The World's Most Dangerous Band." They rose to the occasion when The Godfather called on them. An amazing performance that holds up to this day!

[@ArtistKarusoma]

Still feeling the power of The Godfather in 2023. Timeless stuff.

[@winonafrog]

Preach!

[@kevinharrison3265]

😔👍❤️😃

[@A.I-GAMING]

Not only was music better back then, but audiences as well.

[@Goruthar]

That trumpet player is having his Blues Brothers moment, deservedly so. Dude gets it.

[@willygarciadrums3521]

Greatest performance in late night history. Like Steve Jordan, the drummer, said, they had been waiting their entire lives for this moment, to play with the Godfather of soul, the man who invented funk, and whose influence is seen literally everywhere in popular music, and they freakin' nailed it.

[@antoniowyckoff2]

Love your comment sir!

[@gunnarstreuli]

steve holding it down man. that guy is the man

[@jofinsky8400]

And imagine getting 13 minutes of airtime to perform -- that doesn't happen anywhere!

[@graxjpg]

Frank Zappa’s performance on mike Douglas about a decade earlier is less energetic, but more captivating. Both are the most powerful examples of music on a late night talk show that I’ve seen.

[@livelifelovingly9983]

Bro your comment literally sums up EXACTLY what I was thinking........ 💭

[@jpetersgoyanks]

You could tell Paul was having a blast. What an honor for that audience, to be worked over by the hardest working man in showbiz.

[@winonafrog]

Ab-so-LUTE-ly! I love it. “Where’s that confounded Bridge!” 😅😅

[@alfredlopez8472]

Geeeez😮 good God

[@pcs56]

He said in many interviews this was by far his favorite musical moment on Letterman.

[@worldmusicnashvillepodcast8280]

The greatest late night performance ever. He literally burned that place down. After Sex Machine the rest of the show was done..how could Dave go to a guest?? No way. I miss magic moments like this on TV.

[@anthonyallmond3682]

You know you’re the GOAT when the other scheduled guests are canceled because your show is so fire! One of the best televised performances I’ve seen.

[@Swonder1972]

At least they were bumped because of the slammin' band and the king of funk instead of some wanker guest telling too many stories...

[@rockfresh1993]

U don't stop historical greatness for some temporary sensation 😅

[@winonafrog]

Yes! So fricking awesome-he takes a room that is dead cold after commercial. Within 2 minutes it feels like a 500 megawatt stage in a juke joint. The greatest to ever do a stage. Huge kudos to the Dangerousss Band!

[@freschfisch4631]

EVERY kid that listens to today's sampled music needs to listen to this guy

[@777jones]

The best highlight of one of the 5 best live TV shows ever.

[@rupertbooknooktookersdelig2222]

Just imagine it: No lip-syncing, every instrument plugged in and being played for real, no earpieces or backing tracks. This was just a group of talented people in a room giving it everything they had, living in the moment, sharing that experience with the audience.

[@sherryhunter4765]

Rupert 'Book Nook' Tooker's Delightful Reactions Saw Mr. Brown in person very few I would pay my money for today.

[@bigudavis5679]

Amazing

[@Kassiusday]

Rupert 'Book Nook' Tooker's Delightful Reactions YES AND NOW WE ARE IN THE “FAKE FAKING FAKE ERA TODAY !!!!🙇🏽‍♀️🙅🏽‍♀️🙅🏾‍♀️

[@doolittlegeorge]

it's still just marching band music..

[@invisiblemansband]

No back tracks either!!!! Goosebumps watching this

[@jtaylor708]

He demanded the audience’s attention. Possibly the best showman ever.

[@bob7230]

Letterman realized he was capturing lightning in a bottle and said “ To hell with the other guests, just let James run with it! “. God bless the Godfather of Soul ! He was on fire. 🕺🏿Absolutely brilliant!

[@joemontano71]

@Bob - agree 100%, I thought the same.

[@pmeagle]

Studio had too much energy, it wouldn've been a career suicide for any guest to follow after that.

[@jsamc]

Our apologies to Matt Damon !!

[@ALVIEDZANE]

The James Brown show with special guest David Letterman. JB is one of those guys you don’t invite on as a guest. He just takes over. Robin Williams was a little like that. Just takes it over and you just follow along because there’s no stopping them.

[@Goruthar]

@@ALVIEDZANE I like Robin Williams, but I love James Brown, no comparison.

[@elkidsandiego]

Kudos to the leader of The World’s Most Dangerous Band, Paul Shaffer! Damn if James wasn’t the funkiest person who ever lived than I don’t know who was!

[@markhammer643]

I saw James perform about 2 years before this. Honestly, it was the most I've ever sweated in my whole life. I had the honor and pleasure of interviewing him for campus radio for about 45 minutes, the same year this performance with Paul and the gang occurred. What stood out most for me was his response to a question I asked him. I inquired if there was anyone he hadn't worked with yet that he might like to record with. His reply? Barbra Streisand. After picking my jaw off the floor, I asked why. Because, he said, he felt he could teach her a thing or two about "soul". He autographed my copy of "Live at the Apollo", introduced me to the fellow who puts the cape on him, and I left, still blinded by what has to be THE best teeth in showbiz.

[@AthenaKama]

Omg what an incredible experience that must have been! 😍😎🙌🏾 Thank u for sharing such a cool story 😊

[@TreeLibrary]

Haha, what a story

[@michaeltrombetta6181]

This guy was 49 yrs old performing like this, incredible!

[@drampadreg1386]

That is not old, MJ was in his 50's when he died, still dancing like gravity missed him. That would also explain the pain killers that killed him too. Same age as Prince, Madonna and me. There is a great head shot of Keith Richards with the phrase under it saying "I outlived Micheal Jackson, bet you didn't see that one coming!" I nearly fell off my chair.

[@markr.devereux3385]

I hate to say it but there was a televised appearance in the late 60s and a young James B. just ignited the stage with dance moves off the hook

[@kJ922-h3j]

@@drampadreg1386 I don’t know, you saw the clips of him rehearsing for This Is It? He looked ok at best

[@murderwitahashtag840]

​@@kJ922-h3jcan u do ANY of this?? ddnt think so

[@clydeb7713]

49 isn't old?

[@KevinCarlson-g2o]

Dude. It is six days from 2024 and I am electrified by this. goodness me.

[@lindawilliams141]

It's 2023 and I'm still dancing to this clip!! YESSS ❤❤❤❤❤

[@steveditko1]

I was sent here by Paul who recently said that this was his favorite performance in his 30 plus years of doing music on the show. Suffice to say, it didn't disappoint.

[@spddtube]

steveditko1 me too! Totally worth it!!!

[@HollyKAnderson]

I believe it, he looks like he's having an absolute blast.

[@drumsNstuff79]

+steveditko1 Drummer Steve Jordan (in the back behind Will Lee) sent me here. He called it a amazing experience. It was one of the first moments a s young drummer he felt he truly led the band with his playing. He said back stage James was getting his hair done and stood up and told him said he felt it was best Tv appearance since he was on the TAMI show. How's that for an accolade?

[@chrispalin4043]

steveditko1 They cancelled the last guest so he could continue playing 👍 he was only supposed to do one song

[@steveditko1]

Cool! I really miss the musical guests on Letterman. James Brown was one of a kind of course, and also back then on the late show some guests could do extended performances like Bob Dylan for example. But even in Dave's later years in general, he and Paul would get some great performances and Dave was always genuinely excited about the acts he enjoyed and would have them on again and again. Dave's successor, Stephen Colbert, never seems to give a shit. Conan does though.

[@georgehorner1578]

James gave every cent , he was a genius , he invented funk, there will never be another.

[@funkydrumma2]

To the 46 people who gave a thumbs down…You JUST DON'T Know!!! What a performance, it does not get any better that this.

[@nataliekriegler9329]

You are kidding…what idiots. He’s superior to these stupid scantily clad acts we always see at Super Bowl 1/2 time…no names mentioned…shame on anyone who give James Brown a thumbs down!

[@jacobhiller6731]

Man that bass player is flying!

[@Mr.S369]

Brings tears of nostalgia...One of the greatest moments in TV history, without question.

[@geraldbrown6829]

that guitar player look like he's so happy to be playing with James Brown he's really jamming and the audience is hype

[@stillphil]

Good call. Hiram Bullock was in musical ecstasy here.

[@edwincolemaniii294]

The great Hiram. Badass.

[@blackflagsnroses6013]

Must be surreal to play for your icon. This man was the FUNK

[@michaelgonzalez2182]

That's Hiram Bullock on guitar amazing guitar player 62 Fender Strat with two humbuckers

[@ocean4315]

You could tell James was having a ball. This was the BEST version of the Letterman Show Band. Will Lee, Steve Jordan, Paul Shaffer, Hiram Bullock. These guys were tight.

[@skepticchic3426]

Wilson Pickett had them doing a good job too.

[@phogue1]

ocean4315 Hiram Bullock left us far too soon. Way underrated guitarist.

[@shawnuel]

Paul told the story of this night when he sat as a guest with Dave on their last week of shows. Paul is a great storyteller.

[@seansherrod8725]

SHO YOU RIGHT!!!

[@NesconProductions]

@@shawnuel Paul mentioned James Brown was his favorite guest performer on the show. An excellent keyboardist he was a great compliment to Dave and adapted well/quickly (as with the rest of the band) to musicians & singers that stop in. Called my house once & I answered not making the 'Paul Shaffer' connection before passing call on. My bro. had written him for the cord changes in the Letterman intro. & he was kind enough (before the days of the Internet..) to call him back with the info. (bro. was writing the chart for our HS jazz band).

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

James Brown is a high point of humanity,it doesn't get any better than him in this style of music. This guy never gave a 50% performance,he gave 110%,every single fuckin time! What a brother

[@visionlandmusic]

I'm pretty sure the people he shot don't agree with you.

[@richardspikman7116]

Can you just imagine if the Godfather was still around to do one of the last Letterman shows?! Holy shit- I think the whole world would get pregnant, wars would end, hatred would disappear.

[@TheKinoEye]

✊✊✊

Richard Spikman Nope. Impossible. Remember James Brown was just a musician. By the way, the whole world is pregnant and divorced at the same time. Just look at all those bitches with 3 kids and no daddy strolling around.

[@juliojorges3762]

Richard Spikman Agreed lol

[@richardspikman7116]

Basic math lesson from a guy with the imagination of a potato.

[@mz854f]

Richard Spikman You are so right.

[@royshuler7046]

I can’t believe that I’m seeing this for the first time. Tears of absolute joy are streaming down my face. Bravo to the late, great James Brown and this incredible band 🎵!

[@kathleen9768]

I felt emotional also. So many great ones are gone.

[@johnbernhardtsen3008]

@@kathleen9768 they were true Entertainers!

[@jonr3891]

I'm with you brother... I linked to this video after watching an interview with the *GREAT* drummer Steve Jordan. Incredible... 🖤

[@hawkzulu5671]

Soul Brother #1 - the North Star.

[@shaunigothictv1003]

James Brown destroys Elvis

[@leapfrog4561]

People in the crowd caught the holy spirit that night for sure...

[@Jimmyjewels]

Leap Frog probably was saved too and reading the book of James for YEARS leter.

[@kurtadams3021]

Leap Frog Yes indeed

[@lil18thletterking77]

Except he isn't caught..he is gitfted..and his attributes aren't evidenced by physical shenanigans but by virtues

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

@@Jimmyjewels Lol....after James Brown hits you,you could read an almanac and sound like a prophet :D

[@bryanbaker274]

Yaaaaasssss

[@kturbo09]

Just amazing watching James Brown work the crowd and perform with such ease! What a blessing! RIP JB

[@philipcallado5693]

Watch and learn, kids. This is real talent right here!

[@antoniowyckoff2]

🔥🔥

[@BenMcDevitt]

well talent and coke lol...

[@brdnahmean2574]

not necessarily

[@georgewong3993]

Now that's fun!

[@slukky]

meth too.

[@DavidRosenbloom-vv8tl]

The bass player is KILLIN it

[@classicguitarfan8]

Will & Anton are on 🔥

[@redmillatdomburg]

@@classicguitarfan8 ... That's Steve Jordan on drums, the show's first drummer, now a legend in his own right

[@MrDrummerguy33]

Will Lee on bass

[@VirtualSuperSoldier]

Wow, that's the best musical performance I've ever seen from a musical guest on any show.

[@4ll3sb4n4n3]

Very rarely I'd say that someone sounds live better than on record but with James Brown... OMG!

[@CharlesBrown-pe6yb]

he said I didn't get to be godfather so because my name is James I got to be godfather so because I know this game now get up off of that same

[@weaksignal8009]

James Brown is the King, but is not the Paul Schaeffer Orchestra the tightest late nite band ever, ever!

[@kevindean1327]

Check out Jeff Healey doing See The Light on Night Music. Not too bad either!!!

[@thehouseofnanking]

When Paul looks over to see what James is up to doing his solo... man that's a cool moment.

[@jorgeandrepiresnunesjorge4941]

After King Brown, only Prince was able to controle band, rythym, pace and the audience like that. Brown was the master teacher!!!!

[@PorterUk]

100% agree. Following JB, there's only been Prince capable of commanding & performing like that.

[@426carrie]

So true! Thght same thing!

[@Profess84]

Michael Jackson

[@214-v4g]

@@Profess84 what?

[@bcpme8637]

I was thinking the exact same about Prince as I watch Mr James Brown perform.

[@richardstober2540]

This Man is sorely missed. The Best of the Best. Never will there be another.

[@TheZerokool187]

I’ve been watching this performance at least five times every day for the past month now

[@NevadaBoss]

one of the top ten moments of my life was the night i was front row for JB and he kicked his mic stand right into my face..& grabbed it back at the last minute, then flashed me that 10K watt smile...as good as it gets...ever.

[@persjodin3407]

When the godfather of soul tells you to get up and party, you damned better get up and party!

[@otistownsend9440]

One of James' best TV performances.

[@magovenor]

All his television performances were outstanding!

[@stecklein7]

He OWNED that audience.

[@rosetallon1162]

he owned every audience he ever performed in front of

[@davidmcleandamrecordings3673]

One of the most influential artists of all time. Brilliant

[@muskegontribune]

His music help cultivate hip-hop music

[@davidmcleandamrecordings3673]

@@muskegontribune among other things.. literally the godfather of soul.. sung with Pavarotti.. and got paid.

[@muskegontribune]

@@davidmcleandamrecordings3673 The James Brown/Pavarotti Man's World Performance is one of my favorites. Two worlds came together and it was beautiful

[@MaddenManification]

Paul Shaffer referenced this performance as the most memorable musical moment of his entire career with Letterman (NBC & CBS).

[@MidiPunk]

Steve Jordan (drums) said it was the highlight of his career also.

[@basswars7060]

Probably the most talented man ever. When he stood before a microphone, the whole universe stopped.

[@danieloneill9560]

I think Leonardo Da Vinci might have something to say about him being the most talented man ever!! And also Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! The former being a polymath who was active as a painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor and architect and the latter being a child prodigy at music, who had written 10 symphonies by the time he was 12. The first being at four years old.

[@jackmacri5551]

@@danieloneill9560 wow a big brain boi. You’re both wrong it’s clearly Kanye

[@AC-mp7cx]

@@jackmacri5551 its mihael by far

[@JiveDadson]

Where are Rembrandt and Einstein on the list?

[@Dion_Mustard]

Jackie Wilson was also good :)

[@caspervanhelvoirt]

The magical Steve Jordan on drums! What a performance by the band and the legendary James Brown!

[@rockervolt9177]

casper van helvoirt Oh really? I didn't know that was him on drums. That guy is amazing, one of the few drummers that can give me gossebumps when I see/hear him playing.

[@mikehawk2148]

casper van helvoirt I see you on a lot of music-related things... Nice taste in music man.

[@caspervanhelvoirt]

Rocker Volt Yesss brother, I've seen an interview/documentary of Steve where he describes this (his first with James Brown) performance. So I was curious to see what it meant for him and why. Now I can see why ^^

[@caspervanhelvoirt]

Mike Hawk Yeah brother, music is my life :) Only positive vibes!

[@NilsFerry]

Rocker Volt Steve Jordan was an original member of David Letterman's band when the show was at NBC. I was just a kid, and he blew me away.

[@shannondrover5421]

It’s simple boys and girls. This is thee one and only GREATEST live performance in the history of TV. Period.

[@notkingjb]

Nope TAMI shows better. James was killing

[@kapilian]

The best live performance ever by a total genius star entertainer... with a pick-up band that was up to his level of total excellence!!! No matter how many times I watch it, I tear up from the absolute thrill. The greatest musical set on tv ever!

[@Whaddayamean13]

This is the greatest late night performance I’ve ever seen.

[@supernewuser]

Greatest day of Paul's life right there.

[@sblack48]

Years later he said it was THE highlight of his time on the show

[@srb20012001]

This performance captures the transcendent charisma of James. I saw him live in Chicago in the mid 80's with the J.B.'s. He was a force of nature, volcanic lava pouring out of the depths of earth. The level of excitement and funk are unparalleled.

[@lgpatterson6259]

wow

[@winonafrog]

He took a dead cold room and in 2 minutes had it like a city’s powergrid packed in one stage.

[@ScaryPockets]

The funkiest band of all time

[@betsyduane3461]

What?

[@PaulDA2000]

I guess you’ve never heard James Brown’s various bands? 😜

[@daveedson32]

World’s most dangerous maybe...

[@patdorn4436]

Hiram is sure feeling it.. Great band!!

[@Knight14649]

I guess you never heard of Funkadelic...... but for sure.. no funk band would be around if it wasn’t for James Brown..The true Godfather of Soul.

[@henrybartlett1986]

This man is like a furnace, the energy is everywhere. Astonishing.

[@parsonscharlotte1]

One New Year's Eve in the Atlanta airport I met James Brown. He was all alone and my daughter and I waited for him to come out of the men's room. He signed napkins for us and had a nice chat and let me touch his floor-length fur coat. He lived in Augusta, Georgia and everyone left him alone even though he did not have an entourage. Wonderful human being.

[@parsonscharlotte1]

Alan Morris I am checking with my daughter. He was so sweet.

[@parsonscharlotte1]

Alan, Julie thinks it was maybe 1977/8. I had a medical OR appointment today and I just played the official "I Feel Good" video to let everyone know I am okay.

[@parsonscharlotte1]

Alan Morris No, it had to be much later...still checking.

[@lfh1973]

Thanks for sharing that story! Had to he a truly unforgettable incident! So cool!

[@priscillasmith9256]

Charlotte Hammon

[@Ira06002]

2023 and still dig’n this throwback

[@yer_old_pal_Jerky]

When he plays the piano, and then double-slaps Paul, I swear a gallon of happy juice shot up my spine and made my brain explode with pleasure. James Brown was not the Godfather of Soul, he was the Bodhisattva of SOUL!!!

[@coltonpugh9669]

Without any context, I can tell by the look on James's face at the end of the the first performance meant the band just blew his mind. That was a look of amazement and humble gratitude when he looked at the band. I am so happy to have ramdomly found this tonight.😂

[@gabrieln3613]

Hiram Bullock on guitar is the perfect fit for JB, as well as the drummer and bass player.

[@bobdudeface570]

I know Steve Jordan impressed James, but that bass player is on fire!

[@Behine.DeChilis]

Locked in tighter than a vise-grip. Dammit.

[@tylercaskey1931]

My fucking head is about to explode listening to this.

[@williampscott3539]

Will Lee on bass

[@onlyjoetee]

Everybody was on fire 🔥 right there man. I’m surprised they didn’t call the fire brigade to that studio

[@Lampshade51]

One of the greatest musical performances ever on TV. The band knew they were backing a legend and rose to the occasion and James was obviously inspired by the band nailing it. The combination was 100% dynamite. Wow. Plus, one of the smoothest stage exits (at 12:34) in television history!

[@winonafrog]

So fire!!!

[@heyheyhe0011]

godfather was 49 yrs young during this masterpiece. forever young godfather brown

[@kathleen9768]

What a thrill this must have been for Paul & the band!

[@lukehferris]

A timeless and unstoppable force.

[@ryanmustain6545]

Legend has it, that last song is still playing.

[@mspussygalore]

This brought tears to my eys...happy tears.

[@RoxxHoffner]

Me too! Ain't it great? ;>]

[@mspussygalore]

+Tim Byrd (Roxx Hoffner) Yes indeedy😉

[@Jive3058]

+Natalie “MsCrzySxyCool” Harris I love this song

[@mspussygalore]

It will get a party started for sure : D

[@herbpittman]

me too im crying those tears right now ( August 21 st 2016 )...my girl (German) she dont understand that soul power, ...only when im tappin that ass!!.

[@dreamwell2020]

Interviewer: In all the years of supporting musical guests on the show, is there one performer who sta- Paul Shaffer: James Brown.

[@agramsci]

That is the greatest thing ever in the history of things. There will never, ever be anything like that on TV ever again. Thank you Dave, thank you Paul, thank you Hiram, thank you Steve, thank you Will...so amazing. How much better is my life having gotten to see this?

[@superdriver777]

Hiram Bullock on the Stratocaster! Absolutely killing it. What a performance this was...must've been pretty special to have seen it live!

[@shayemontfitch7704]

Hiram always professional 👏

[@thebreathalyzer]

Not his regular guys, but JB throws the spotlight over to Hiram "get the guitar some!". That's everything right there. JB knows.

[@winonafrog]

Crushing it

[@centaureg]

Ask me who my favorite male soul singer is and I might very well say, Al Greene or Sam Cooke or Marvin Gaye, but ask me who is/was the greatest single soul performer ever and that is a quick and easy answer, hands down, James Brown. Nobody else was ever as incandescent or incendiary as this man. He lit up the stage and made it impossible to sit still. Godfather of Soul. Hell, he was the GOD of Soul! Thank you so very much for posting this extraordinary performance!

[@jupiterlegrand4817]

Wow, never saw this. You can tell James is happy. He obviously did NOT expect that band to be so tight...tighter, I may say, than most of his backing bands. They NAILED it and JB darn well knew it. He could get down and be confident they've be right there. Never saw Schafer's men work so hard!

[@Abebe345]

Totally, he went from performing to just enjoying himself.

[@tbueno]

The guitar player is the best. He feels it!

[@arneal]

The Great Hiram Bullock - R.I.P.

[@stevedorefromtyneside9993]

This is the best thing that's ever been on TV.

[@Davidbrown-zg1ws]

U never lied 👏🏽👏🏽

[@CharlesBrown-pv1lc]

😢😢😢😢😢😮😮😮😮😂😂😂😂😊😅😮🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😮😢😅😊

[@ireneruthfox]

Paul, Hiram, Steve & Will. with the Godfather. This maybe the most Funk ever seen on TV ?

[@LTJR.]

I think I see/Hear Neil Jason subbing for Will this night.

[@Scaramousche1955]

@@LTJR. Nope, that's Will...100 percent

[@LTJR.]

@@Scaramousche1955 oh yeah, i had missed when J.B. played keys, Will is clearly evident. all through beginning looked like rounder head, ball cap, and beard. should have noticed the chrome cover on bass also.

[@Jim_L]

In 1982, James Brown would have been about 49-years-old. Them's some mighty fine dance moves for a gent of that age. 👍

[@ArachnidSoul]

Mr. Brown set the bar way to high.

[@kurtthomas1809]

Probably one of the best live acts anyone has ever seen. The GF of soul. James Brown.

[@catirerubio]

THE BEST, PERIOD.

[@vermeer5]

My god, this is just ridiculous it's so good. What late night tv used to be, and more importantly, what mainstream music use to be.

[@enneff]

I mean... this was an exceptional performance by an exceptional performer. This wasn’t what television or music was in general, ever! Not by a long shot!

[@vermeer5]

​@@enneff Yeah, it was. I saw this when it first aired. Letterman's show was a lot more loose, and a lot more open as well. There was a lot more freedom on TV, before everything became micro managed and James Brown at one point was a huge mainstream star. You could see bands like Captain Beefheart on SNL, Frank Zappa on an afternoon talk show. This changed during the 80s when everything became more slick and superficial, and micro managing every aspect of a live TV show or performance became the norm.

[@bigimskiweisenheimer8325]

Yeah, I remember when Eddie Van Hallen was the guest guitarist He stayed the whole show and so did Valerie Bertenelli.

[@ryanmiller9384]

Every cell in Brown’s body felt the rhythm, unreal!

[@storkonstage]

Amaaaaaaaazing! After all these years the tightest dude ever. What a band. Not a needle in between!

[@LIE11Bldg7]

I get'a tear while reading these comments.. Paul Shaffer had the greatest job ever

[@yourbookdesign]

the KING of funk.

[@kurtadams3021]

True indeed

[@musicaficionado3805]

Hands down!

[@joeyvillarreal2803]

I just stumbled across this performance. This was 40 years ago...and can STILL outdo alot of what is out there today! James Brown, The Godfather of Soul! The funkiest person EVER born!

[@CasperLD]

Now that's a fucking entertainer.

[@josmclove4426]

I just can't enough of this magnificence!❤️❤️👏🏿👏🏿🇿🇦

[@wizardmix]

What I'm seeing here is a band so good, so absolutely on top of it, that they coaxed a legendary performance out of James. You can tell the man is truly having fun right there and on his A++++ This might be the best I've ever seen. As real and raw as it gets.

[@stellarhyme3]

You don’t know James Brown then, his bands were way better than the band here. This band was following his lead, he was not following theirs. Trust me on that.

[@wizardmix]

​@@stellarhyme3 What do YOU know? Can you back it up or are you just talkin' loud and sayin nothin? If you think Paul, Hiram, Will, Steve and the rest didn't absolutely destroy it that night, I doubt you play let only have any understanding of "feel." You're right, that's not James band and actually knowing the back-story of this show and knowing what James expects from his back-up bands I can tell you, they nailed it. They were so locked in to James that they managed to improv a 14-hit ending on "Sex Machine" perfectly on Jame's movements alone and if you don't think that's a look of being absolutely impressed on James's face after that, YOU Don't Know James son. Stick to gaming.

[@Patupatumb]

@@wizardmix hell yeah Evan !

[@egadgo]

@@stellarhyme3 James Brown himself said so.

[@777jones]

@@stellarhyme3 You are right, but, this band worked hard and Succeeded in meeting Mr Brown's expectations. For a pick-up performance it is very good! The musicians can be proud

[@kurtadams3021]

The LEGENDARY Iconic Mr James Brown

[@kristensegina7703]

The line from "Get On Up"~~"Once you hear that groove, I know I got you." Damn right!

[@nutothis1]

I know that! And he got you fast!! LOL!

[@jimmystallcup4931]

I love how Paul carefully studies every move the godfather makes!

[@rodlonger17]

A rare moment in TV history! Probably the last time anything like this will ever happen again (Dave rescheduled all of his other guests that night 2 allow The Godfather 2 play uninterruppted!!!). Leave it 2 the Godfather & never forget: talent is forever & marketing is for now...

[@TerapiaCarrillo]

Nice one

[@kurtadams3021]

I agree

[@doctacool312]

As a big prince fan it's crazy seeing how much of his late 80s performing looks heavily inspired by his moves here

[@lpurnell4827]

Prince said it himself.

[@frodislover1007]

best rhythm section in my opinion. will Lee and Steve jordan!!

[@gretschludwigdrummer209]

+frotis lover, Your right there !!

[@Prince0James]

+frotis lover Hell yeah!

[@juancpgo]

hiram is amazing as well

[@xBITCHESxHATExMEx]

Hiram Bullock on guitar as well

[@enzov9772]

The band was so locked in

[@formattester6]

wow. he owned that show in actual minutes! saw chuck berry on johnny carson one time where he played and played and played. same here. james brown is a national treasure!!!

[@nutothis1]

James and Chuck got it like that! LOL! Johnny also knew talent/show-stoppers when he saw it.

[@tuxguys]

Excellent parallel observations, both of you.

[@markjewaait]

Every time I watch this i get tears in my eyes and goosebumps all over for the entirety of the performance. Out of this world what James was capable of. Just, out of this world. unspeakable talent.

[@lgpatterson6259]

same!!

[@777jones]

It is the dream of every backing musician to succeed like this and spark fire like this.

[@doalwa]

The world is poorer without James Brown, no doubt about it. This man practically invented modern, popular music. Without JB there would have been no MJ, no Prince and probably no Madonna..okay, I could have done without Madonna tbh 😇

[@hyda-jameshill1035]

I can only imagine how much longer he performed after the credits rolled! One of a kind!

[@clarkb5137]

Timeless music, amazing performance

[@trevorjalla]

BROTHER!! YOU'RE HIGH! YOUR ENERGY IS HIGH! ;)

[@tonino9281]

Steve Jordan...

My all time soul brother #1! James Brown!!

[@WVUScoredAgain]

Steve Jordan is why I'm here. This is amazing!

[@jchow5966]

He was a brilliant musician.

[@philsackett7341]

Take note kiddies, this is what real musicians look and sound like. I miss JB so much. Not the greatest of human beings, but certainly one of the most awesome performers of all-time. Long live funk!

[@Key-ho3qi]

Old school music and performers are the real entertainers. They had nothing but a band, one mic and their energy. This is what we need to go back to! Rest in peace Mr. Brown. 🙏🏽❤️