James Gregory of Pitchfork reports:
According to a statement released late last week, legendary rock/soul pioneer James Brown has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Details of Brown’s condition are being kept private, but the singer will be admitted for surgery at an undisclosed Georgia hospital this Wednesday. In the statement, Brown was optimistic about the upcoming treatment: “I have overcome a lot of things in my life,” he said. “I will overcome this as well.” According to publicist Simone Smalls, fans can send their best wishes to Brown at [email protected]
Brown still holds claim to his long-standing title of “hardest working man in show business.” At age 71, he continues to record and stage global tours– a day before his ailment was made public, the singer had completed a two-week tour of Canada. Meanwhile, Brown’s last album of new material, 1998’s I’m Back, saw the artist expanding his sound with hip-hop and sampling (albeit to mixed effect).
In more positive news, NME reports that Brown is getting set to release his latest autobiography, I Feel Good: A Memoir of a Life of Soul in January of next year. Brown’s previous autobiography, James Brown: The Godfather of Soul was originally published in 1986, and included contributions from notable friends, including Rev. Al Sharpton and celebrated rock journalist Dave Marsh. Brown is expected to promote the book nearer its release date, and also plans a return to the road in early 2005, with a tour of Asia and Australia.