James Brown given special visa to get into country

By ALAN PERROTT

Soul legend James Brown has been granted a special-event work visa to perform in New Zealand.

The 70-year-old, known as the Godfather of Soul, has a string of criminal convictions which would normally have barred him from entering the country.

But Associate Immigration Minister Damien O'Connor has cleared the way for him to perform a one-off show in Auckland tomorrow night.

Immigration Service spokesman Brett Solvander said: "In deciding to approve a special visa for Mr Brown, the minister felt that the benefits of allowing Mr Brown to visit New Zealand outweighed any conflicting concerns associated with his visit."

A spokeswoman for Mr O'Connor said special visas were not uncommon and were often granted to visiting artists.

Brown's trip Downunder - he has just performed in Australia - is a brief respite from trouble with the law in the United States.

When he returns to the US, he faces a jury trial in his home state of Georgia in a criminal domestic violence case involving his wife, Tomi Rae Brown.

Eight months ago, Brown was pardoned by a state board for seven convictions he had received over 10 years, mostly involving weapons.

He has further convictions involving assault, drugs and high-speed car chases.

Brown has always maintained he was picked on.

"I was always innocent," he has said. "My crime was that I was James Brown."

He boasts a musical legacy spanning more than 50 years, including hits such as Please, Please, Please, I Got You (I Feel Good), and Papa's Got A Brand New Bag.

Brown performs at the St James tomorrow night.