james joseph brown net worth

James Brown Net Worth: How Rich Was James Brown? - MyNewsGh James Brown - Net Worth February 2023, Salary, Age, Siblings, Bio In his lifetime, James Brown was a great musician with a net worth of around $100 million. Larry Flyer. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. He used to spend most of his time alone during his teenage. [12] In Joel Whitburn's analysis of the Billboard R&B charts from 1942 to 2010, Brown is ranked No. Brown followed that up with the ballad "It's a Man's Man's Man's World", a third Top 10 Pop hit (No. [3], They raised three of their nieces: Grace, Florence, and Helen Tobin. BET Awards: Brown was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards in 2003. [168] Brown was buried in a crypt at his daughters home in Beech Island, South Carolina. Stewart, Alexander (2000: 306). Brown met singer Bobby Byrd when the two played against each other in a baseball game outside the detention center. During his childhood, he also learned how to play multiple instruments, including the piano and guitar, as well as a harmonica that had been given to him by his father. [28], Brown eventually joined Bobby Byrd's group in 1954. He passed away on December 25, 2006. [2]:91,94 As Brown became more successful, the family enjoyed the life of the upper middle class and sent their children to school in Paris. According to the documentary The Night James Brown Saved Boston, then-mayor Kevin White had strongly restrained the Boston police from cracking down on minor violence and protests after the assassination, while religious and community leaders worked to keep tempers from flaring. [80], Brown's demands of his support acts were, meanwhile, quite the reverse. Posted on January 29, 2023. We love meeting interesting people and making new friends. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Senator, and former Dixiecrat, Strom Thurmond, stating "when the young whippersnappers get out of line, whether Democratic or Republican, an old man can walk up and say 'Wait a minute, son, it goes this way.' [170] The irrevocable trust, separate and apart from Brown's will, was created on his behalf, that same year, by his attorney, Albert "Buddy" Dallas, one of three personal representatives of Brown's estate. And if for some reason [the band member decided] to leave the group, [Brown told the person to] please leave my uniforms . He also released three albums of Christmas music with his own band. [94] In 1999, when being interviewed by Rolling Stone, the magazine asked him to name a hero in the 20th century; Brown mentioned John F. Kennedy and then-96-year-old U.S. He was released from prison in 1991 after serving three years, and had his crimes pardoned in 2003. James Brown was not only loved for his classic songs, but also admired for his shapely body shape, which he often flaunts on stage during his musical performances. James Brown Net Worth - Celebrity Net Worth Wiki It included the single "(So Tired of Standing Still We Got to) Move On", which peaked at No. . [107][177], On February 19, 2015, the South Carolina Supreme Court intervened, halting all lower court actions in the estate and undertaking to review previous actions itself. So after losing Mr. Reagan, who I knew very well, then Mr. Ray Charles, who I worked with and lived with like, all our life, we had a show together in Oakland many, many years ago and it's like you found the placard. Nick Name. It was one of the world's largest and most lucrative silver camps. Its brief charting in the UK was probably due to the success of a remixed version of "I Feel Good" featuring Dakeyne. He had most of his net worth through his musical career. The band retained that name until his death. Judge Joe Brown Age, Net worth: Kids, Wife, Weight, Bio-Wiki 2023 [167] Former Temptations lead singer Ali-Ollie Woodson performed "Walk Around Heaven All Day" at the memorial services. He was born in the town of Barnwell, South Carolina, United States. Show. The estimated Net Worth of James S Brown is at least $20.7 Million dollars as of 20 September 2018. He got his public attention in the year 1950 through the band The Famous Flames. This is an entertainmentwebsite with estimated net worths and opinions about various people who we consider genius. Other members of Brown's band included stalwart Famous Flames singer and sideman Bobby Byrd, trombonist Fred Wesley, drummers John "Jabo" Starks, Clyde Stubblefield and Melvin Parker, saxophonist St. Clair Pinckney, guitarist Alphonso "Country" Kellum and bassist Bernard Odum. James Brown Net Worth 2023: Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Kids, Bio-Wiki [12] The gold was particularly pure. "Soul Brother Number One," "the Godfather of Soul," "the Hardest Working Man in Show Business," "Mr. Dynamite" -- those are mighty titles, but no one can question that James Brown earned them more than any other performer. Brown initially was invited to perform at a Youth Concert following Nixon's inauguration in January 1973 but bailed out due to the backlash he suffered from supporting Nixon. His first marriage was to Velma Warren in 1953, and they had one son together. American singer and songwriter,James Joseph Brown has an estimated net worth of $100 million. He also got married to a singer Tomi Rae Hynie in the year 2003, but the marriage was considered as invalid as she was already married. You can read about James Brown's net worth, find out about James Brown's height, age, biography, and more. It is indeed a great pleasure to present to you at this particular time, national[ly] and international[ly] known as "The Hardest-Working Man in Show Business", the man that sings "I'll Go Crazy""Try Me""You've Got the Power""Think""If You Want Me""I Don't Mind""Bewildered" the million dollar seller, "Lost Someone" the very latest release, "Night Train" let's everybody "Shout and Shimmy" "Mr. Dynamite", the amazing "Mr. This iteration of the J.B.'s dissolved after a March 1971 European tour (documented on the 1991 archival release Love Power Peace) due to additional money disputes and Bootsy Collins's use of LSD; a new lineup of the J.B.'s coalesced around Wesley, St. Clair Pinckney and drummer John Starks. Brown recorded and released 17 singles that reached No. Brown often gave out money and other items to children while traveling to his childhood hometown of Augusta. [1] His brother Edward joined him in the Ashcroft-Aspen area, where he lived for two years. [139] According to Jenkins, "seven people got shot", and after the shootout ended, a man appeared and gave "each one of the injured a hundred dollars apiece not to carry it no further and not to talk to the press". James Brown Net Worth At Death [2022] January 29, 2023. Live Performances: Brown was known for his electrifying live performances, which were characterized by his high-energy dance moves, powerful vocals, and flashy costumes. And that's great for our country. Net worth The T.A.M.I. Big Daddy Kane sampled many times. Brown also had a practice of directing, correcting and assessing fines on members of his band who broke his rules, such as wearing unshined shoes, dancing out of sync or showing up late on stage. Brown later supported Democratic President Jimmy Carter, attending one of Carter's inaugural balls in 1977. [89] As the 1970s continued, Brown continued to record songs of social commentary, most prominently 1972's "King Heroin" and the two-part ballad "Public Enemy", which dealt with drug addiction. He was also a Christian and an American citizen. The station slogan was "WJBE 1430 Raw Soul". [130] This drug usage often resulted in violent outbursts from him, and he was arrested several times for domestic violence against Rodriguez while high on the drug. James Brown was an American musician who had a net worth of $100 million at the time of his death in 2006. [29] He reputedly joined the band after one of its members, Troy Collins, died in a car crash. [1][2]:87 Brown first received an education from his mother and he later studied at St. John's Academy. [147] In June, Brown pleaded no contest to the domestic violence incident, but served no jail time. The Ibex Company and its owners, including the Browns, became extraordinarily wealthy. 40 in the UK but did not chart in his native US. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Hollander alleged that, during her ride in a van with Brown, Brown pulled over to the side of the road and sexually assaulted her while he threatened her with a shotgun. Deidre Jenkins was born and raised in the United States. In 1969, Brown recorded two more songs of social commentary, "World" and "I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing", the latter song pleading for equal opportunity and self-reliance rather than entitlement. [56] Brown's recordings during this period influenced musicians across the industry, most notably groups such as Sly and the Family Stone, Funkadelic, Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, Booker T. & the M.G.s as well as vocalists such as Edwin Starr, David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards from the Temptations, and Michael Jackson, who, throughout his career, cited Brown as his ultimate idol.[57]. Age (2022 . Comedian Michael Coyer was the MC for the event. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Whitney, Marva and Waring, Charles. Male performers in the Revue were required to wear tuxedoes and cummerbunds long after more casual concert wear became the norm among the younger musical acts. [131][132] By January 1988, Brown faced four criminal charges within a 12-month span relating to driving, PCP, and gun possession. As a vocalist, Brown performed in a forceful shout style derived from gospel music. [25], At the age of 16, he was convicted of robbery and sent to a juvenile detention center in Toccoa. On August 6, 2002, he was honored as the first BMI Urban Icon at the BMI Urban Awards. Al Sharpton officiated at all of Brown's public and private memorial services. Hosted by Amazon.com. Meanwhile, the drum break from the second version of the original 1969 hit "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose" (the recording included on the compilation album In the Jungle Groove) became so popular at hip hop dance parties (especially for breakdance) during the early 1980s that hip hop pioneer Kurtis Blow called the song "the national anthem of hip hop".[61]. [24] In his teen years, Brown briefly had a career as a boxer. [134] While once under the influence of PCP (which he continued to procure dependent on its availability) when traveling in a car, Brown alleged that passing trees contained psychotronic surveillance technology. By 1967, Brown's emerging sound had begun to be defined as funk music. When James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," died at the age of 73 in 2006, he left behind quite a legacy as well as one hell of a mess. By 1977, he was no longer a dominant force in R&B. [35] Richard convinced the group to get in contact with his manager at the time, Clint Brantley, at his nightclub. More than a dozen lawsuits were filed over the years by people trying to lay claim to the singer's assets, which courts have estimated to be worth anything from $5 million to more than $100. He gave many hits with the band and also formed his own band named James Brown orchestra. James Joseph Brown was a bandleader, record producer, and entertainer who lived in the United States from May 3, 1933, to December 25, 2006. He began his career at a young age and continued to work till his death. [59] As a result, Brown's record sales and concerts in the United States reached a lull in 1973 as he failed to land a number-one R&B single that year. Celebrities at these various memorial events included Michael Jackson, Jimmy Cliff, Joe Frazier, Buddy Guy, Ice Cube, Ludacris, Dr. Dre, Little Richard, Dick Gregory, MC Hammer, Prince, Jesse Jackson, Ice-T, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bootsy Collins, LL Cool J, Lil Wayne, Lenny Kravitz, 50 Cent, Stevie Wonder, and Don King. In 1968 James Brown endorsed Hubert Humphrey,[82] but later Brown gained the confidence of President Richard Nixon, to whom he found he had to explain the plight of Black Americans.[83]. [136] His widow suggested Brown would "do crack" with a female acquaintance.[136]. Date of Birth: Jul 5, 1947 (75 years old) Place of Birth: The following day, he performed at an 800-seat campus theatre at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. Brown had originally been scheduled to receive the honorary doctorate from Paine College during its May 2007 commencement. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". For more celebrity content like this visit, our page Married Celeb. The first one of them to be identified is LaRhonda Pettit (born 1962), a retired flight attendant and teacher who lives in Houston. He got married thrice to Velma Warren in the year 1953, Diedre Jenkins in the year 1970, and Adrienne Lois Rodriguez in the year 1984. His hits with the Famous Flames during this period included Try Me, Papas Got a Brand New Bag and I Got You (I Feel Good).. [17][18][19], The Brown family lived in extreme poverty in Elko, South Carolina, which was an impoverished town at the time. Secondary sources show his date of birth at September 27, 1854. To teach race is to teach separatism. A Law Suit Was Filed Against James Brown's Son, James Joseph James Brown's Estate Is Still In Turmoil 12 Years After His Death - Forbes James Brown was a great artist who had a net worth of around $100 million in his lifetime. James Brown Net Worth and Earnings 2022 | Wealthy Genius What was James Brown net worth at the time of death? 0000030719, "Lost in the Woods with James Brown's Ghost (Part 2): Was James Brown's Wife Murdered? [150] In 2004, Brown was successfully treated for prostate cancer. "[97] Despite his contrarian political views, Brown mentored black activist Rev. What Was James Brown's Net Worth at the Time of His Death? His final single, "Killing Is Out, School Is In", advocated against murders of young children in the streets. Grammy Awards: Brown won three Grammy Awards during his career, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992. [183] However, on April 14, 2012, the Famous Flames were automatically and retroactively inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Brown, without the need for nomination and voting, on the basis that they should have been inducted with him in 1986. Shortly after being paroled he joined the gospel group the Ever-Ready Gospel Singers, featuring Byrd's sister Sarah. James also had at least five sons and four daughters and is believed to have sired at least three other children outside of his marriages. It became the country's largest supplier of beet sugar by 1978. [93], Brown stated he was neither Democratic nor Republican despite his support of Republican presidents such as Nixon and Reagan as well as Democratic presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Jimmy Carter. The pattern of attack points is the emphasis, not the pattern of pitches as if the guitar were an African drum or idiophone. "Get Ready" is a song recorded by American recording artist Pitbull for his eleventh studio album Libertad 548 (2019). His first marriage was to Velma Warren, which lasted from 1953 to 1969. His net worth was also contributed by the brand endorsements of many brands. James Brown's performances were famous for their intensity and length. I dont live for it. A 15-year legal battle over the estate of James Brown has come to an end, . Over the course of his career, James managed to sell over 50 million records worldwide which earned him a sizable fortune. [16] James Brown Net Worth 2022, Age, Height, Relationships, Married, Dating, Family, Wiki Biography Tom Ford James Joseph Brown, Jr. net worth is$3 Million James Joseph Brown, Jr. Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family James Brown was born in Update Soon in Barnwell, South Carolina. Previously, James Brown was to Adrienne Rodriguez, Velma Warren, and Deidre Jenkins at separate times. [2]:88, Brown then went to Leadville. [9][10] Brown was posthumously inducted into the first class of the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013 as an artist and then in 2017 as a songwriter. [79] During some of his concert performances, Brown danced in front of his band with his back to the audience as he slid across the floor, flashing hand signals and splaying his pulsating fingers to the beat of the music. Margaret and her children fought in court for six years to settle the estate. Brown was paroled on June 14, 1952. [44] As a result of its success, King president Syd Nathan shifted Brown's contract from Federal to the parent label, King, which according to Brown in his autobiography meant "you got more support from the company". [7][8] Brown's engineering efforts proved instrumental in the production of a substantial gold and copper seam at the mine. Who Is James Brown's Ex-Wife Tomi Rae Hynie Married To? Earlier that evening, Christina Aguilera delivered an impassioned performance of Brown's hit "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" followed by a standing ovation, while Chris Brown performed a dance routine in honor of James Brown.[196]. Though he lost interest in the album, which remains unreleased, a track from the sessions, "Gut Bucket", appeared on a compilation CD included with the August 2006 issue of MOJO. (2008). As Fred Wesley recalled of his time as musical director of the JBs, if Brown felt intimidated by a support act he would try to "undermine their performances by shortening their sets without notice, demanding that they not do certain showstopping songs, and even insisting on doing the unthinkable, playing drums on some of their songs. Changes in Brown's style that started with "Cold Sweat" also established the musical foundation for Brown's later hits, such as "I Got the Feelin'" (1968) and "Mother Popcorn" (1969). "Funky Drummer: New Orleans, James Brown and the Rhythmic Transformation of American Popular Music". [49] The show was later released on DVD as Live at the Boston Garden: April 5, 1968. Leanne Brown Net Worth 2022, Bio, Age, Career, Family, Rumors [62] He returned to music with the album Love Over-Due in 1991. Gender Male full name James Joseph Brown Jr. birthplace Barnwell, South Carolina Date of Birth May 03, 1933 Horoscope Taurus Lucky Number 6 Lucky Stone Emerald Lucky Color Green Best Match for Marriage Virgo, Cancer, Capricorn Browns music career began to take off in the late 1950s and early 1960s, as he scored hits with songs like Please, Please, Please, Try Me, and Ill Go Crazy. He also developed a reputation as an electrifying live performer, known for his high-energy dance moves and powerful vocals. The creator of funk music and a major . James Brown Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family He was known as the "Godfather of Soul," "Soul Brother Number 1," "Mr. Dynamite," and "the hardest working [30] Along with Brown and Byrd, the group consisted of Sylvester Keels, Doyle Oglesby, Fred Pulliam, Nash Knox and Nafloyd Scott. Brown was born on May 3, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina, to 16-year-old Susie (ne Behling; 1916-2004) and 21-year-old Joseph Gardner Brown (1912-1993) in a small wooden shack. [129], Aide Bob Patton has asserted that he accidentally shared a PCP-laced cannabis joint with Brown in the mid-1970s and "hallucinated for hours", although Brown "talked about it as if it was only marijuana he was smoking". Hollander claimed that stress from the alleged assault later caused her to contract Graves' disease, a thyroid condition. [151] Regardless of his health, Brown maintained his reputation as the "hardest working man in show business" by keeping up with his grueling performance schedule. After the birth of their son, the Browns moved back into Leadville, living at 320 Ninth Street and then 322 Seventh Street. This box was designed and painted by local artist, Ms. Robbie Pitts Bellamy and has become a favorite photo opportunity to visitors and locals in Augusta, Georgia. His BMI accolades include an impressive ten R&B Awards and six Pop Awards. I like money. The irrevocable trust had also been established before, and not amended since, the birth of James II. 1", after failing to win the title "King of Soul" from Solomon Burke during a Chicago gig two years prior. Brown's own extravagant outfits and his elaborate processed hairdo completed the visual impression. Brown's routine was inspired by a similar one used by the professional wrestler Gorgeous George, as well as Little Richard. Published January 3, 2023. James Brown was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and bandleader known as the Godfather of Soul. He was a major figure in the development of funk music and is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. James Brown's Will: Is It Inching Toward Closure After 14 Years? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Joseph W Brown Net Worth (2022) | wallmine [6], By 1892, Brown was an investor and board member of the Ibex Mining Company that owned the Little Jonny mine. Who inherited James Brown money? - AnswerParadise.net A James Brown concert typically included a performance by a featured vocalist, such as Vicki Anderson or Marva Whitney, and an instrumental feature for the band, which sometimes served as the opening act for the show. He was involved with many ladies until his last years. [110] According to Dallas, Brown was angry and hurt that Hynie had concealed her prior marriage from him and Brown moved to file for annulment from Hynie. For his family, however, Brown's death marked the beginning. Lawson was impressed with Brown's work ethic and secured his release with a promise to keep him employed for two years. The call letters were changed to WJBE reflecting his initials. Brown joined fellow black entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., who faced similar backlash, to back out of the concert. #10, "Feel good again: Show to pay tribute to the Godfather of Soul, a year after his death", "James Brown Goes through Some New Changes", Revolution of the Mind: Live at the Apollo, Volume III, Love, Power, Peace: Live at the Olympia, Paris, 1971, Say It Live and Loud: Live in Dallas 08.26.68, Foundations of Funk A Brand New Bag: 19641969, Make It Funky The Big Payback: 19711975, The Singles, Volume I: The Federal Years: 19561960, I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door, I'll Get It Myself), Mother Popcorn (You Got to Have a Mother for Me), What My Baby Needs Now Is a Little More Lovin', I Got Ants In My Pants (And I Want to Dance), Hot (I Need To Be Loved, Loved, Loved, Loved), The Night Time Is the Right Time (To Be With the One That You Love), I Got You (I Feel Good) [James Brown v. Dakeyne], https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Brown&oldid=1142922004, Activists for African-American civil rights, American people convicted of drug offenses, American people who self-identify as being of Native American descent, American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters, Deaths from pneumonia in Georgia (U.S. state), Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners, Recipients of American gubernatorial pardons, Record producers from Georgia (U.S. state), Articles with dead external links from January 2023, Articles with permanently dead external links, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from October 2020, Articles with dead external links from May 2017, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2021, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from September 2020, Articles with dead external links from February 2023, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. [100], Brown was married three times. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Judge Joe Brown has a net worth of $10 million. James Joseph Brown has a net worth of $100 million, Kimberleigh Marie Zolciak-Biermann Net Worth, Aashish Mehrotra Indian Actor Height, Weight, Age, Bio, and More, Manika Mehrotra Indian Actress Height, Weight, Age, Bio, and More, Pravisht Mishra details, Net worth, Age, Bio, and Affair, Dev Aditya details, Net worth, Age, Bio, and Affair, Jay Thakkar Indian Actor and Model Height, Weight, Age, Bio, and More, Jatin Bhardwaj Indian Actor Height, Weight, Age, Bio, and More, Gagan Arora details, Net worth, Age, Bio, and Affair, Ankit Raizada Indian Actor Height, Weight, Age, Bio, and More, Sudhanshu Pandey details, Net worth, Age, Bio, and Affair, Kunal Singh details, Net worth, Age, Bio, and Affair, Dheeraj Dhoopar Indian Actor Height, Weight, Age, Bio, and More, Ankit Mohan details, Net worth, Age, Bio, and Affair, Anand Suryavanshi details, Net worth, Age, Bio, and Affair, Muzamil Ibrahim details, Net worth, Age, Bio, and Affair, Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado net worth, Singer, Songwriter, Dancer, Musician, Record Producer and Bandleader, Tomi Rae Hynie (m. 20012006), Adrienne Rodriguez (m. 19841996), Deidre Jenkins (m. 19701981), Velma Warren (m. 19531969), Yes (Yamma Brown, Venisha Brown, James Joseph Brown II, LaRhonda Pettit, Deanna Brown Thomas, Daryl Brown, Lisa Brown, Larry Brown, Terry Brown, Teddy Brown). James Brown. Brown is not much educated. James Joseph Brown has a net worth of $100 million Biography/Wiki of James Joseph Brown. The estimated Net Worth of Joseph W Brown is at least $17.8 Million dollars as of 18 August 2022. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Deidre Jenkins | James Brown's Wife Bio, New Net Worth 2022. - FameandName [1][2]:87, Brown came to Colorado in 1880, mining in Georgetown, Aspen and Ashcroft. In January 2005, a woman named Jacque Hollander filed a lawsuit against James Brown, which stemmed from an alleged 1988 rape. Lewis, president of Paine College, a historically black college in Augusta, Georgia, bestowed posthumously upon Brown an honorary doctorate in recognition and honor of his many contributions to the school in its times of need. James Brown - Net Worth 2021, Salary, Age, Height, Bio, Family, Career By 1960, Brown began multi-tasking in the recording studio involving himself, his singing group, the Famous Flames, and his band, a separate entity from the Flames, sometimes named the James Brown Orchestra or the James Brown Band. Hynie's suit asked the court both to recognize her as Brown's widow and to appoint a special administrator for the estate. At the time of his death in 2006, James Browns net worth was $100 million. Frequently Ask Questions What is the height of James Joseph Toth? He is often credited with inventing funk music and inspiring countless musicians, including Michael Jackson, Prince, and Bruno Mars. Before James Brown appeared on stage, his personal MC gave him an elaborate introduction accompanied by drumrolls, as the MC worked in Brown's various sobriquets along with the names of many of his hit songs. Margaret said of Brown "I've never met a finer, bigger, more worthwhile man than J.J. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Samuel William Billings, who is better known as Sam Billings, was born on June 15, 1991, in Pembury, Kent, England. James Brown net worth and salary income estimation If man no work man no go chop" This sparked favorable reactions from most people and a few Nollywood celebrities moreover complimented James Brown’s new look. He made huge revolutions in the music and developed rock, funk, and soul music. [14], Brown was born on May 3, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina, to 16-year-old Susie (ne Behling; 19162004) and 21-year-old Joseph Gardner Brown (19121993) in a small wooden shack. [41], In October 1958, Brown released the ballad "Try Me", which hit number one on the R&B chart in the beginning of 1959, becoming the first of seventeen chart-topping R&B hits.