On Thursday, thousands of fans lined up to pay their respects and bid farewell to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, at the Apollo Theater where the singer first made his mark 40 years ago.

Brown was 73 when he passed away early Christmas morning of congestive heart failure in Atlanta.

His body traveled on a horse-drawn carriage through New Yorks Harlem streets to the famous theater – The Apollo, on Thursday. “James Brown means everything to the black community,” said Brenda Baskin, 50, from Brooklyn, as she stood outside.

“Brown’s lyrics ‘Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud,’ opened up the doors for black people to have more pride,” she said. “He told his people to hold their heads up and that there was something for them to be prideful in — themselves.”

Browns body was taken back to his hometown of Augusta, Georgia after the New York viewing. A private service was to be held today, and an additional public viewing will be held on Saturday prior to Browns burial.

Brown was a Grammy Award winner who stood out as one of America’s greatest showmen and band leaders. His revolutionary mix of funky rhythms and staccato horns will not soon be forgotten.

The line to view James Brown’s body was the length of three city blocks. People slowly proceeding to the theater were given an inpromptu street performance by a Brown impersonator, while others sold T-Shirts and photos of Brown to those in the line.

“I came out for soul brother No. 1. That’s who he is — James ‘Butane’ Brown, the man who set the stage on fire,” said fan Fred Chinnery, 50, from New Rochelle, New York. “This man was the baddest man who ever put on a pair of dancing shoes and slid across the stage.”

Brown had been scheduled to perform in New Yorks Time square on New Years Eve. He had more than 119 singles on the charts and recorded over 50 albums, as well as performing live at events at least 100 times a year. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame, and had received a lifetime Grammy achievement award.

James you will be missed.

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