R.I.P. Bob Patton, former James Brown promoter

Atlanta-based music industry legend and former James Brown promoter Bob Patton died last Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Piedmont Hospital of an aortic aneurism. He was 70.-

Born in Middletown, Ohio, Mr. Patton launched his music career as a teen with a weekly radio show. He would grow up to become a highly-respected music promoter. He had personal and professional dealings with stars that included Isaac Hayes, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Jerry Lee Lewis and B.B. King. He booked act for American Bandstand, the TV show.-

"He was in the business 50-something years and worked with everybody from the Beatles to Prince," said Sammy Blue, founder and executive director of the Georgia Legacy Foundation, a Decatur-based nonprofit that assists musicians with their careers.-

"I'd say he was one of the greater promoters of what I call real American music."-

Read the full AJC obituary on Patton.