Brown's Body En Route to Apollo Theater

The Rev. Al Sharpton leaves the C.A. Ried Sr. Memorial Funeral Home where he was helping with plans for the funeral for singer James Brown, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, in Augusta, Ga. Brown died early Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25. He was 73. (AP Photo/W. Mike Adams) (W. Mike Adams - AP)

The Apollo also was a showcase for superstars including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, who was 9 when he performed with his brothers for the first time at the storied hall.

Final arrangements for Brown's viewing came as the hall readied itself for Wednesday night's final 2006 Amateur Night at the Apollo contest.

A high-tech marquee at the Apollo offered: "Rest in Peace Apollo Legend The Godfather of Soul James Brown, 1933-2006." Brown's epic "Live at the Apollo" album streamed from the marquee speakers.

Manhattan resident Olive Conteh-Martyn stopped by the Apollo on Wednesday to pay tribute to Brown, a man who was so adored when she was a teenager in Sierra Leone, in West Africa, that children tried to emulate his dance moves.

"We idolized him," she said. "I love his music."

A man taped flowers and pictures of Brown on a wall next to the Apollo. Less than a block away, a merchant showed videos of Brown's live performances on a television outside.

West Webb nodded his head to the beat, saying he'd view Brown's body Thursday "if I can get in."

He added: "Brown was as fast as lightning! He was one of a kind."

Barry Hammonds, a fitness club owner, said he was a three-time winner of Amateur Night in the 1990s and once met Brown.

"He said to me, `If this is what you want to do, just be real with the audience and continue to work,'" Hammonds recalled.

Brown continued to work to the end, dying less than a week before he was to perform New Year's Eve in Manhattan at B.B. King's blues club. Chaka Khan, the Grammy Award-winning rhythm and blues performer, will play instead.