The RIP Thread

[The Godfather]

Danny Ray, the cape man for legendary R&B singer James Brown, has died.

When Brown collapsed onstage, exhausted and bathed in sweat while performing "Please, Please, Please," Ray draped his cape around his shoulders, giving him the strength to continue his performance.



The 85-year-old cape man, who took his job seriously, died Tuesday night of natural causes, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

"The James Brown estate mourns the passing of Mr. Danny Ray, the legendary emcee and cape man for James Brown," officials for Brown's estate said in a statement. "Ray worked with Brown from 1960 until the music legend's death on Christmas day 2006. He became famous for draping a cape over Brown at the end of his signature tune Please, Please, Please. Mr. Ray was the second-hardest working man in show business."