James Brown’s ‘Friends’

Soul singer James Brown forgot he was living in America (“Ain’t Nothing Changed but the Address,” Feb. 9, by Ron Harris). He should have known that drug problems are acceptable for people like ex-Presidents’ wives, and that run-ins with the cops are best left to bratty Hollywood upstarts.

At least Little Richard and Aretha Franklin have the soul to help this giant to his feet. But it seems the rest of the black performers whom Brown’s music influenced turned white when they got rich, and the white performers he inspired turned chicken.

DON WREGE

Los Angeles