James Brown on David Letterman

New version of this video with improved audio here: • James Brown on Letterm...
The Godfather of Soul makes an appearance on the old "Late Night with David Letterman" on July 12, 1982. This is the best TV performance I've ever seen. I've never seen a TV audience respond like this. Paul Shaffer and the fellas proved they really were The World's Most Dangerous Band this night!
Master of Funk: James Brown
Talk Master: David Letterman
Band: World's Most Dangerous Band

[@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.

[@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.

[@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...

[@rockfresh5359]

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.

[@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.

[@ArtistKarusoma]

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

[@winonafrog]

Preach!

[@kevinharrison3265]

😔👍❤️😃

[@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.

[@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!

[@kturbo09]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@persjodin3407]

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

[@jacobhiller6731]

Man that bass player is flying!

[@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.

[@jtaylor708]

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

[@chrismooney9275]

He was only supposed to do 4 minutes. But he was so electric David Letterman cancelled the last guest and gave him the signal to finish the show. Ended up doing 11 minutes. Famous story

[@blachubear]

+CJ Mooney I think Dave did the last guest a favor. Can you imagine an unknown comic following James Brown & bombed? That guy's career would had been ruined that night.

[@HollyKAnderson]

The other guest was probably grateful. Who wants to go on after this? It could only be anticlimactic.

[@kurtadams3021]

blachubear super bad brother

[@chrispalin4043]

blachubear I cant remember who the cancelled guest was but I think it was someone quite famous 😂👍

[@bryanb16th]

So true. You go before James Brown. No one goes after James Brown aka the "Hardest Working Man in Showbiz" Because after James Brown there is nothing. Frankly, I can't believe that the casting director would even schedule anyone other than James Brown on that night. Bryan from Augusta GA here. Home of the GodFather of Soul.

[@A.I-GAMING]

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

[@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

[@Goruthar]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!!!

[@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!

[@thehouseofnanking]

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

[@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!!!

[@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

[@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

[@Mr.S369]

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

[@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.

[@errantrazor]

When James Brown wants to perform three songs on your late night talk show, where musical guests usually get to perform one, you let James Brown play three songs.

[@Davidbrown-zg1ws]

No doubt 👌🏽

[@shannonpatrick77]

How do you tell James Brown to stop?

[@weebunny]

@@shannonpatrick77 that's a trick question, right? ;-) Because nobody with any sense would even want to. My mom and dad saw JB live, fairly early in his career (pompadour era). I need to get them to tell me about it again.

[@shannonpatrick77]

@@weebunny You cant stop James Brown

[@weebunny]

@@shannonpatrick77 Damn straight

[@ArachnidSoul]

Mr. Brown set the bar way to high.

[@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

[@stecklein7]

He OWNED that audience.

[@rosetallon1162]

he owned every audience he ever performed in front of

[@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 :)

[@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).

[@jbird4754]

Prince:”Thank you Sir James Brown”! Michael Jackson:”Thank you Sir James Brown”! Need I go on? 🥰💥💥💥💥💥

[@hawkzulu5671]

Hip Hop: 'Thank you, Sir James Brown'.

[@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!

[@georgehorner1578]

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

[@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?

[@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.

[@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!!.

[@TheZerokool187]

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

[@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.

[@automatic_systematic]

Even those early 80s bands played his classic joints with some semblance of the original gutbucket funk but by the 90s it all sounded so plastic

[@tbueno]

The guitar player is the best. He feels it!

[@arneal]

The Great Hiram Bullock - R.I.P.

[@otistownsend9440]

One of James' best TV performances.

[@magovenor]

All his television performances were outstanding!

[@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

[@mr.145]

For those 98 who left a negative....ask your doctor for a soul vaccination.side effects may include throwing out rolling stones recordings.

[@trevorjalla]

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

[@tonino9281]

Steve Jordan...

[@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.

[@CasperLD]

Now that's a fucking entertainer.

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@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!!!

[@richardstober2540]

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

[@heyheyhe0011]

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

[@christopherwoodward6109]

Most 49 yr olds have type 2 diabetes

[@yourbookdesign]

the KING of funk.

[@kurtadams3021]

True indeed

[@musicaficionado3805]

Hands down!

[@troyancheta3803]

I see why JB influenced many legendary artists after him. He will always be the Godfather of soul

[@JiveDadson]

"Y'all." - Chris Frantz

[@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

[@patrickdarling9553]

RIP Hiram Bullock... guitar original member if the World's Most Dangerous Band

[@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!

[@dreamwell2020]

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

[@williamrhea6663]

11:42 may be the funkiest thing I have ever witnessed

[@jimmystallcup4931]

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

[@hyda-jameshill1035]

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

[@lindawilliams141]

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

[@turnupthesun81]

This was the perfect storm: the band was amazing, James was in top form and the crowd was amazing. Great performance.

[@DezGWChannel412]

I heard you say Barnwell Cousin James Brown💯💯. There’s where you originally from barnwell, Sc. Your true Hometown💯

[@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.

[@ryanmiller9384]

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

[@markdavis3306]

Don't forget Hiram bullock on guitar

[@lex.cordis]

Wasn't he with the headhunters? I think i remember seeing that name on the back of their survival of the fittest LP jacket...

[@lex.cordis]

Actually, I believe I meant to say Idris Muhammad's "Turn This Mutha Out".

[@kentcarmona7922]

he was on the whole album classic could heaven ever be like this

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@dasmoothest79]

he was definitely a entertainer

[@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 😇

[@benoit1080]

Michael who?!!.....jackson?!....yeah i heard some.....but you know what let's take a few minute to talk about THE GOAT THE REAL KING THE MASTER BEYOND THE STUDENT.....THE SOUL BROTHER NUMER ONE......JAMES MOTHERFUCKIN BROWN !!!!!

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

It doesnt get any better than this really does it!, Mr Brown is always at the top of his game but that base player though

[@johnkondrk1382]

The great Hiram Bullock on guitar..Will Lee bass Steve Jordan drums and of course leader of this supreme band Paul Shaffer

[@Ash_Hudson]

3:26 those trumpet spinning skills.

[@MatthewMcClellan]

Joy man, just pure joy.

[@kurtthomas1809]

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

[@catirerubio]

THE BEST, PERIOD.

[@Sledgehammer003]

Damn, well...Paul Schafer was right. He did turn it up!!! -Referring to the Julia Roberts interview episode on letterman's show recently. Amazing.

[@KevinCarlson-g2o]

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

[@andrewdoolittle5336]

this guy is beyond belief good

[@brianjschumer]

I remember that James Brown had said this was his best performance since the Tami show, he liked Letterman alot, who was a big fan of Brown and let him perform whatever he wanted. Certainly "The Heavy" another great performance on Letterman as well. Probably top 5 all time

[@Lehmann108]

James is so happy with this band!

[@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