LOGANVILLE, Ga.
Musician Byrd, 73, discovered legend
Bobby Byrd, 73, a singer, pianist and songwriter credited with discovering James Brown and who was one of his most important collaborators for two decades, died Wednesday at his home in Loganville, Ga. He had lung cancer.
In the early 1950s, his family helped secure Brown’s early release from a juvenile detention facility in Georgia. The Byrds provided a home for Brown, who hitched himself to Byrd’s gospel group, which morphed into a much more secular vocal band.
The Famous Flames were led by Brown, who strutted his way to international funk stardom. Byrd remained with the Famous Flames, and subsequently the JBs, for 20 years.
As a composer, Byrd received co-authorship billing on songs including “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine,” on which he was heard shouting the refrain, “Get on up!”
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.
Denny’s loses suit by black family
A jury has ordered the Denny’s restaurant chain to pay $600,000 to 15 members of a black family who said their white waiter ignored them and used racial slurs.
The federal jury awarded each family member $5,000 in compensatory damages and $35,000 in punitive damages Friday.
Sandra Green’s family sued over a 2003 meal in the St. Louis suburb of Fairview Heights. The waiter, later fired, allegedly served white patrons and ignored the family.
DETROIT
GM, union break without agreement
General Motors Corp. and the United Auto Workers made progress at the bargaining table Saturday but still faced significant hurdles and ended negotiations for the day without reaching an agreement.
