R&B LEGEND BROWN DEAD

The singer, real name Napoleon Brown Culp, found fame in the 1950s when, alongside fellow acts Chuck Berry and Little Richard, he was among the first wave of African-American musicians to gain popularity among white audiences.

Brown, whose hits included Night Time is the Right Time and Don't Be Angry, had released a new album - called Long Time Coming - in September last year (07).

He also continued performing live until he was hospitalised with a range of illnesses in June (08).

The singer died in his sleep on Saturday (20Sep08) at the Mercy Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina.