>> [Blank on Blank intro]
>> Rocci Fisch: James, how do you feel about the tribute tonight?
>> James Brown: Sir, I'm going to call you by your last name, so why don't you call me
by mine.
>> Rocci Fisch: Mr. Brown.
>> James Brown: Yes, sir.
One thing I fought for was respect...
>> Rocci Fisch: Okay.
>> James Brown: And I demand that all the time.
>> [Music: James Brown "The Boss"]
>> Rocci Fisch: I'm Rocci Fisch and I interviewed James Brown in Washington DC.
It was 1984. I was working at ABC News
there as an entertainment reporter for ABC Radio Networks.
James Brown was in town for like a tribute thing down at the old convention center.
I was among a lot of other young reporters there
waiting in the hallway to be introduced to James Brown. And the door opened up to his
dressing room...
>> [Sound of hairdryer blowing]
>> Rocci Fisch: And there he was
with his wife in there who was styling his hair.
And hair was a very important thing to James Brown.
>> James Brown: The worst thing that can happen to you is to stay number one for too long.
>> Rocci Fisch: And he gave us a little Q&A,
like a mini press conference.
>> James Brown: I want to tell you something about these shades. Excuse me for cutting
you off.
Because I don't want you to sit up there thinking I'm trying to be be hip and that's why I put
my shades on.
This is a different kind of pair of shades. They make an even tone.
Anyone put them on and you'll see the difference. They're not no hip shades.
>> Rocci Fisch: It relaxes your eyes?
>> James Brown: Yes. It's a different kind of shades.
>> Rocci Fisch: He sort of talks in phrases, and he's very philosophical about what he
says.
He sort of, you know, blurts it out.
>> James Brown: Black is not a color; it's an attitude.
It's the attitude of independence, respect and dignity.
>> Rocci Fisch: It's not, you know, hard to understand it because he's expressive. The
man is a self-educated man.
>> James Brown: How the blind going to lead the blind?
I really feel sorry for the Afro-American. He really doesn't know what's happening,
because they were never trained.
They don't know and see this is where White America
has the advantage over most people in America.
They know how the country's run, because they made the rules.
See what I'm saying?
My father got out of the Navy and instead of him going to school, he went and signed
up for school and paid the teacher
part of his check to mark him present when he was not present.
He paid to be ignorant.
Why do you think I've got everything going? Why I can talk to the president? Because I
know how the country is run.
I speak for the world.
They want me to bring all the world leaders together. Leader of Russia. Leader of Africa.
See, because you've got to know what's going on.
>> Rocci Fisch: What do you think of [President Ronald] Reagan?
>> James Brown: I think he's the most intelligent...
I think he's the most well-coordinated president we've ever had in history.
>> Rocci Fisch: You think he's going to win again?
>> James Brown: I'm not here to endorse.
I just know he's the most well-organized president we've ever had in history.
His acting ability taught him the whole structure of the country.
>> Rocci Fisch: Communication, you mean?
>> James Brown: Huh?
>> Rocci Fisch: Communication?
>> James Brown: He knows what everybody wants.
You see, every American, every American man is still a cowboy.
See you've got to remember that. Because of the frontiersman.
>> [Music: James Brown "Living in America"]
>> James Brown: He knows how to act. He knows everything about that. He knows about emotions
of people.
He knew he was going to be president. See, that's what's called a man of conviction.
You understand me?
I'm not Democrat or Republican; I'm for the man. I'm a humanitarian.
>> Reporter: Mr. Brown, you've been crowned the title of the Godfather of Soul.
Okay, what more do you have to look for now in life?
>> James Brown: Just keep living. I'm living every day.
>> Reporter: Well, you've reached the peak?
>> James Brown: What peak? I haven't reached no peak.
Wherever God sends me,
that's where I want to go.
Godfather just means that I held on to the word "soul" until everybody got it recognized.
Ten years ago, ya'll liked disco. And y'all liked punk rock. You all keep changing every
day.
Don't keep changing so much.
>> Reporter: So what is the present James Brown style? Is it the same?
>> James Brown: Whatever I want to do. Whatever I want to do.
Whatever I want to do.
I am not going to tell people what I do no more. I'm going to do my own thing.
Because they got mad when I told them.
I'm going to do what God say and work in a church and preach about religion.
I didn't get no thanks for it other than a few people understanding 10-20 years later
what I'm doing.
>> [Music until end]
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