ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) — James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured “Godfather of Soul,” whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said. He was 73.

Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said.

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Funny man Richard Pryor died of a heart attack on Saturday past. He died shortly before 8 a.m. after being taken from his home to a nearby hospital. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the nervous system, he found a way to bring it to the forefront in his comedic routines.

While not always comfortable with his profanity, Richard Pryor holds a special place in my heart for his roles in “Stir Crazy” and “See No Evil, Hear No Evil”. My opinion, notwithstanding, his place in history as a pioneer in combining the art of comedy and politics is guaranteed. He was edgy, at times scandalous, honest and unashamed to get personal onstage about his battles with drug and alcohol addiction.

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Civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks holds the hand of a well-wisher at a ceremony honoring the 46th anniversary of her arrest for civil disobedience Saturday, Dec. 1, 2001, at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. Parks, whose refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man sparked the modern civil rights movement, died Monday Oct. 24, 2005. She was 92. (AP Photo/Paul Warner)

Civil Rights Pioneer Rosa Parks Dies at 92
By Associated Press

DETROIT - Rosa Lee Parks, whose refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man sparked the modern civil rights movement, died Monday. She was 92.

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Legendary publisher of Ebony dies
Media Giant John H. Johnson Succumbs

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I just came across this moving tribute to Luther and had to respond:

MY HOUSE IS STILL A HOME
by William Fredrick Cooper

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