THE GODFATHER SPEAKS: James Brown is more...

THE GODFATHER SPEAKS: James Brown is more than just the hardest-working man in show business. He’s also gives (next to Little Richard) the most amazing interviews--a claim easily supported by a cover story in the latest issue of the New Musical Express (NME). In an interview conducted before he was accused of taking a shot at his wife (he pleaded not guilty), the Godfather called Ronald Reagan “a personal friend,” endorsed George Bush for President (with Jesse Jackson as his running mate!) and said he’s still an indefatigable performer because “God keeps me in shape at all times.” Brown also seemed pleased that his music is undergoing a major revival in England. “I’m aware of it--it’s all James Brown,” he said. “The cars! The hotels! Everything says that James Brown lives. I like that.”

Brown said his personal pop faves are Madonna, Boy George and Bruce Springsteen, adding: “Only thing I want Bruce to do is see (Brown adviser) Henry Stallings, so he can fix his hair. He needs his hair styled. . . . What we want to do is come back and set up a lot of hair-styling shops here. I wish the people in England would let me set up some hair-styling shops. We’re gonna do some hair! And clean up these heads. They need some washing!”

NME: “You think the British haven’t got good hair?

Brown: “We need to wash some heads! See, how my hair is clean? Want to wash some heads.”

NME: Do you think my hair needs it?

Brown: Your hair looks good. Very clean.”

NME: “Thank you.”

Brown: “You need a shave, though.”