This Christmas will mark two years since the death of "The Godfather of Soul," James Brown. The 74-year-old had been touring feverishly, upwards of 330 shows a year--maintaining the title of "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business" right up to the end.

Recognized as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Brown left behind a legacy of epic proportions. He somehow managed to rise above extreme personal hardship as a child, as well as numerous issues throughout his adult life, to produce hit after hit, every decade through the 1980s.

During the late '60's and early '70's, he was known for his activism on behalf of his fellow African Americans and the poor, which he punctuated with the 1968 release of the groundbreaking single "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud."

Also known as "Mr. Dynamite," his music inspired early hip-hop artists, who looped and sampled his funky sound, making it part of the foundation of the genre.

In 2003, four of his albums were named on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Thankfully, I was able to attend his Jan. 15, 2006 show in San Francisco--a stop on what would turn out to be his final tour--and took some photos of the man in action.