James Brown - Four Classic Albums Plus (Please Please Please / Think / Try Me / The Amazing James Brown) (Digitally Remastered 2023) (2023)

An early version of The Famous Flames (with ever evolving name changes) was formed by Bobby Byrd in 1953 featuring among others, the one and only James Brown. However it was not until 1955 that they became The Famous Flames with Brown on lead vocals and 1956 when they had their first chart hit with Please, Please, Please hitting the number 6 spot on the R&B charts. They would go on to have a number one hit on the R&B charts with Try Me in 1959. As with many groups during this era, personnel changes were a regular feature and it became difficult to keep up with who was in the group as members came and went or were summarily fired and were gone. We think it is important to recognise the contribution that all the members of the group played in the success of The Famous Flames and the subsequent success of James Brown. From song writing to dance moves and to their fabulous backing vocals as you will hear on these fine and fiery early albums, their contributions were an essential part of their sound and look. Here we are happy to name four of the most important members of The Flames. Bobby Byrd, Bobby Bennett, Johnny Terry and Lloyd Stallworth.