Brown’s body was carried to the (Apollo) theater through the streets of Harlem on a majestic white carriage drawn by two white horses
Hundreds of fans followed behind the caisson singing the chorus of Brown’s anthem, “Say it Loud — I’m Black and I’m Proud.”
Some fans arrived at the Apollo as early as midnight for a chance to pay their respects.
More than 100 people were in line outside the theater by 8 a.m. ET, drawn to a man who left an indelible mark on soul, R&B, funk, disco and rap music.
Later, the crowd swelled into the thousands and spilled over onto both sides of 125th Street. The line to get inside the Apollo stretched for blocks.
He had also talked recently about returning to Harlem, friends said.
“He told me two weeks ago to book the Apollo for two days,” said his friend and manager, Charles Bobbit. “He said, `Let’s play two days at the Apollo, and we’ll see the lines again around the block.”‘
“The Apollo was always his home because that’s where it all started,” said his agent, Frank Copsidas, “and the people of Harlem were his family.”
Excerpts from CNN
*Click on thumbnails to enlarge images*
Posted on January 3, 2007 by D. Bell