NEW YORK (AP) – A majestic white carriage drawn by two white horses carried the body of music legend James Brown through the streets of Harlem Thursday to the Apollo Theater, where a sea of people waited to say farewell to the Godfather of Soul.

Hundreds of fans followed behind the caisson singing the chorus of Brown’s anthem, “Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud.”

Just like when he was alive, a raucous throng of thousands cheered and applauded as pallbearers lifted his gold casket and carried it inside the historic hall.

To many, Brown was more than just the energetic performer once introduced to audiences as “Mr. Dynamite.”

As Norman Brand, of Harlem, waited for the procession to begin, the 55-year-old recalled hearing Brown’s “Say it Loud” anthem for the first time in his native Alabama.

“It really changed the attitude of most black people. It was like a wake up call. Before that, if you were called black, it was like an insult,” Mr. Brand said. “Just one song and one word can change a whole situation.”

Brown, who died of heart failure Christmas morning at 73, will lie in repose until 8 p.m. Thursday on the stage where he made his 1956 debut and recorded a thrilling live album in 1962. A program for family and close friends was planned for 6 p.m.

Mourners were expected from far and wide to attend the first in a trio of services that will keep the hardest working man in show business almost as busy in death as he was in life.

Brown’s casket left a Georgia funeral parlor at around 9 p.m. Wednesday for an all-night drive to New York. It arrived at Mr. Sharpton’s Harlem headquarters just before noon, and was quickly transferred to the carriage for a 20-block procession to the theater.

Mr. Sharpton, a close friend of the singer, accompanied the body from Georgia and walked behind the carriage Thursday.

On Friday, a private ceremony is planned at a church near Augusta, Ga. A second public viewing of the singer’s body will be held Saturday at the James Brown Arena in Augusta.

Some fans arrived at the Apollo as early as midnight for a chance to pay their respects.

More than 100 people were in line outside the theater by 8 a.m., drawn to a man who left an indelible mark on soul, R&B, funk, disco and rap music.

“He seemed like family, a friend of mine,” said Brenda Harper, of Harlem, who was the first to arrive, shortly after midnight. Fourteen years ago, she said, “I jumped on the stage and he danced with me. I danced with the ‘Godfather’ that day.”

Edith Stewart of Atlanta flew to New York on Wednesday.

“I loved James Brown. He did a lot of things for people all over. Just a couple of days ago, in Augusta, he was passing out gifts. And then he’s gone,” she said.

Brown continued to work to the end, dying less than a week before he was to perform New Year’s Eve in Manhattan at B.B. King’s blues club. Chaka Khan, the Grammy Award-winning rhythm and blues performer, will play instead.