'Godfather of Soul' defends Michael Jackson

'Godfather of Soul' defends Michael Jackson

Michael Casey, Associated Press/Jakarta

Legendary soul singer James Brown said on Sunday that Michael
Jackson was being "set up" in his child molestation trial and
that the embattled performer should be touring tsunami-hit Asia
rather than defending himself in a U.S. court.

Speaking to The Associated Press in Indonesia ahead of a
concert on Sunday, the 71-year-old Godfather of Soul also claimed
to be the root of modern music.

"All the music playing the last part of the 20th century was
all James Brown," he said. "The 21st century is just James Brown
period. Whether it's rap, hip hop, gospel, or country doesn't
make no difference. They are all using my stuff and I'm glad
because I've been able to bring something to music."

Brown -- famous for hits such as "Please, Please" and "Papa's
Got A Brand New Bag" -- said Jackson, who is fighting child
molestation charges, should pray and he compared the performer's
legal woes to his own. Brown spent time in jail in the 1980s and
1990s on drug and assault charges.

"Recognize that people do this ... They've been trying to do
that to me all my life, trying to get something for nothing ... I
think he's been set up like most entertainers. People think you
have a lot of money," Brown said in the telephone interview.

He said Jackson should be in places like tsunami-ravaged
Indonesia, rather than in a California courtroom.

"We need Michael. We need Michael out here entertaining," he
said in his husky southern drawl. "Michael could have been great
over here performing. His talent is very appealing and people
know him. One day I'll be too old to travel and I'll want to see
good entertainers (like him) spreading the good word."

Brown said he came to Indonesia in part to raise awareness
about the Dec. 26 tsunami that killed more than 173,000 people in
11 countries around the Indian Ocean. At the first of his two
concerts in Jakarta on Friday, he talked about need to help
tsunami victims, adding that he and his wife Tommie Rae were
considering sponsoring children orphaned by the disaster.

"I am someone who loves humanity and wants to do something
about the injustices and to do something for the terrible
tragedies in this world, like the tsunami," Brown said. "The
tsunami was very heart-wrenching ... to see parents without their
mothers and fathers, to see kids homeless ... so we gotta do
something to help them."

Brown shrugged off talk of retirement and said he still has a
role spreading love, tolerance and understanding through his
music. After he returns to the United States, he said he will
start a tour of South America.

"My problem is that they've been saying this to me for 35
years: 'When are you going to retire?"' he said. "Retire. Retire
for what? What would I do? I made my name as a person that is
helping.

"I'm like Moses in the music business. I want to do God's work
and I want to make the world better and more peaceful. All those
songs. Those millions of songs. Who is going to do them?"

In December, Brown successfully underwent surgery to treat
prostate cancer, which came on the heels of a long battle with
diabetes.

But he said he "feels good" and showed no ill effects during
his 90-minute performance on Friday night. Flanked by a 13-piece
band, Brown put on an inspiring performance in which he sang many
of his hit songs, danced around the stage and joined his wife --
who is one of his backup singers -- in some soulful give and
take.

In the interview, Brown also spoke about his problems with his
33-year-old wife. Last year, the singer pleaded guilty to pushing
her to the floor and threatening to kill her.

"My wife and I have suffered enough," he said. "If you're
going to be big and popular, you're going to have to take the
fall if there is fall to be taken. I can take it. Let them say
what they want. Whatever they say, she is mine and I'm hers."

GetAP 1.00 -- MAR 6, 2005 15:56:45