December 10, 2004, 7:02 AM EST
NEW YORK -- James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul" and a legend in rap, rock and funk, has announced that he has prostate cancer.
In a statement released to The Associated Press on Friday morning, Brown, 71, said that he will undergo surgery for the ailment on Dec. 15.
"I have overcome a lot of things in my life. I will overcome this as well," Brown said.
Brown, best known for seminal hits like "I Feel Good," "Please, Please, Please," and "Cold Sweat," is also a diabetic. Dubbed the hardest working man in show business, he just finished a two-week Canadian tour on Thursday night. He is expected to spend three weeks recovering from the procedure.
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