Get On Up

In 1939, young James lives in poverty with his mother and abusive father in the backwoods of Augusta, Georgia. His mother eventually leaves and becomes a prostitute. His father joins the Army, leaving James in the care of his brothel-running aunt. He is fascinated by the shout music at a black church. Later, he fights in a “battle royal” boxing match for the amusement of a white audience. Imagining the jazz band breaking into a funk style inspires him to win the bout. He spots his mother on the street one night, but she denies knowing him.

In 1949, 17 year-old James is imprisoned for stealing a suit. When Bobby Byrd and his gospel group perform at the prison, James is inspired. He impresses Bobby with his singing, and Bobby’s family supervises his parole. James establishes himself as a lead singer and shifts the group’s sound toward R&B. He leads them to jump onstage at a Little Richard show, introduces them as “the Famous Flames“, and they perform a rousing rendition of “Caldonia“. Richard gives James advice and warns him of the “white devil”. James marries Velma Warren, and they have a son, Teddy. In 1955, Ralph Bass signs the band to King Records and records their first single, “Please, Please, Please“. Ben Bart becomes James’ manager; he and label executive Syd Nathan relegate the rest of the band to salaried employee status, and they quit.