James Brown performing at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, England - December 1978

The block behind the theatre, which spurred his rise to fame, has been officially co-named James Brown Way.

The singer's name was among 49 included in a law signed by the city's Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday (29Dec08), and will be added to signs on 126th street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Boulevards.

Brown died of heart failure on Christmas Day in 2006 at the age of 73.

Source: WENN