James Brown's legacy

James Brown died a year ago, on Christmas Day 2006. His children did not know that his will excluded them in favor a charitable trust. They are challenging the will, alleging undue influence of Brown's advisers, who are also the well-paid trustees of the charitable trust. This one will take many years to resolve.

In the most recent twist, James Brown's unreleased recordings have been locked up until the matter of royalties can be resolved. There are reportedly dozens of unreleased songs stored at Brown's South Carolina estate, as well as an album recorded in California in 2006.