The I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium will open the exhibition "James Brown: Preserving the Legacy" at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, on the campus of South Carolina State University. The Stanback was selected to preserve the memorabilia of the legendary Brown, "the Godfather of Soul."

"Through his dedication to education, involvement in the civil rights movement, and as an astronomer and collector of space memorabilia, I believe that S.C. State's I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium is the best institution to preserve my father's legacy," Deanna Brown said. "The most exciting part of this exhibition is the involvement of the students; my father would have loved that."

Stanback staff visited James Brown's estate in Beech Island to select items for preservation, including costumes, original music, unpublished photographs, early cuts of vinyl recordings, awards and trophies, personal notes and letters, fan memorabilia and souvenirs from across the globe. The exhibition will showcase these items through July 31. Special guests at the opening will include daughters Deanna Brown and Dr. Yamma Brown, son Larry Brown, great-granddaughter Chelse Woolfork, Brown's personal assistant of 35 years Ella Overton and former member of his band George "Spike" Nealy, assistant band director of S.C. State Marching 101.

Born in Barnwell, James Brown began performing gospel and R&B at an early age, but his entry into the professional music business came when he was 16 years old and met Bobby Byrd. Brown soon found himself in Byrd's group, The Avons, who became The Famous Flames in 1955. Cincinnati's King Records signed the popular touring group, now with James' name in front, and the band scored an immediate R&B smash with the 1956 hit "Please, Please, Please."

In the 1960s, Brown was a cultural hero, dubbed "Soul Brother Number One." As a black man of wealth, independence and influence, he was a symbol of self-determination and triumph over racism, and he took that responsibility seriously. Brown's hit recordings of that decade have often been related to the emergence of the black artistic and Black Nationalist movements. The songs "Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud" (1968), "Don't Be a Drop-Out" (1966) and "I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothin' (Open Up the Door, I'll Get It Myself)" (1969) contained direct social messages.

Brown sponsored programs for underprivileged youth, spoke at high schools, invested in black businesses, performed for troops in Vietnam and went on television after the April 4, 1968, assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to plead for calm, a service for which he was ceremoniously thanked by Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Politicians recruited him to help calm cities struck by civil insurrection and avidly courted his endorsement. Entertainers influenced by Brown's style include Michael Jackson, Prince, MC Hammer, Mick Jagger, Snoop Dogg, Usher and newcomers Chris Brown and Neo.

In the 1970s, Brown became "the Godfather of Soul," and as a revolutionary singer, songwriter, arranger and dancer in the 20th century, Brown was one of the most important entertainers in popular music. His achievements earned him the name "the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business."

"We are excited to have the opportunity to honor the genius of 'the Godfather of Soul,'" said Ellen Zisholtz, director of the I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium.

In conjunction with the opening of "James Brown: Preserving the Legacy," the Stanback will present a night sky planetarium show arranged by Planetarium Manager Dr. Elizabeth Mayo, followed by a star party with telescopes on the lawn for viewing planets Venus and Saturn, various constellations, a nebula and a star cluster. These celestial events are part of the celebration of the International Year of Astronomy, a global initiative commemorating the 400th anniversary of the birth of modern astronomy. Brown's telescope will also be on display during the event.

Following the night sky show, a medley of Brown's music, arranged by S.C. State Percussion Ensemble Director James Orlick, will be played under the stars in the planetarium. And on Sunday, Feb. 22, at S.C. State's 113th Founders Day, Brown will be posthumously honored with the distinguished community service award, which will be accepted by Deanna Brown.

For more information about "James Brown: Preserving the Legacy," call Zisholtz or Ingrid Owens at 803-536-7174.

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