JB’s Body To Lie In State At The Apollo

It turns out the Godfather of Soul will take center stage in New York City one more time, and at a venue he helped revolutionize during his storied career. James Brown will lie in state at the Apollo Theater on Thursday where his faithful will be given an opportunity to say their goodbyes.

The viewing will take place from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the theater, located on 253 W. 125th Street in Harlem.

Reverend Al Sharpton organized the public viewing and will give a celebratory sermon following the viewing to honor the legendary singer, who was originally scheduled to perform at B.B. King’s Blues Club in the city on New Year’s Eve.

Brown’s body will then be brought back to Augusta, Ga. for a private service on Friday, before another public viewing and his burial on Saturday.

Brown died of heart failure in an Atlanta hospital on Monday at the age of 73 after being admitted for pneumonia days earlier. The statue of him in his native Augusta was draped in an American flag and a red scarf after news of his death became public.