ABOUT
THE FAMOUS FLAMES

The Famous Flames were an American rhythm and blues, soul vocal group founded in Toccoa, Georgia, in 1953 by Bobby Byrd. James Brown first began his career as a member of the Famous Flames, emerging as the lead singer by the time of their first appearance in a professional recording, "Please, Please, Please", in 1956.  and they added new Flames members Bobby Bennett and Lloyd Stallworth. This was the longest-lasting lineup of The Famous Flames, which became a straight vocal group at this point.

​

On hit songs such as "Try Me", "Bewildered", "Think", "I Don't Mind", and "I'll Go Crazy", the Flames' smooth backing harmonies contrasted strikingly with Brown's raw, impassioned singing, and their synchronized dance steps were a prominent feature of their live shows. Altogether, the Famous Flames numerous R&B hit songs reached the Top 40 on the R&B and pop charts.They also appeared in the Hollywood films T.A.M.I. Show (1964) and Ski Party. Members of the Flames also contributed as songwriters and choreographers. In 2012 the Flames were retroactively inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside Brown. On their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame page, they are described as "a group of singers, performers and dancers that created the complementary elements of one of the greatest stage shows of all time." As of 2020, The Famous Flames were also inducted into The National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.

​

Click Here to watch videos from The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Smokey Robinson's Induction Speech and Bobby Bennett the last living Famous Flame accepting the award. 

​

Bobby Bennett was the last surviving member of the Famous Flames (vocals; born 1938, died January 18, 2013), Bobby Byrd (vocals; born August 15, 1934, died September 12, 2007), Lloyd Stallworth (vocals; born 1942, died 2001), Johnny Terry (vocals; died in 2005). The Famous Flames provided vocals and choreography for James Brown from their formation in 1953 until their departure in 1968. There were many comings and goings within the Famous Flames during that 15-year period. To make matters more confusing, while the Famous Flames initially referred to the entire group, it eventually came to represent only the backup vocalists, while the musicians were tagged the James Brown Band. The combination of Bobby Byrd and Johnny Terry (who joined in 1955) with later arrivals Bobby Bennett and "Baby" Lloyd Stallworth (who joined in 1959) marked the definitive lineup of the Famous Flames.