BY LARRY NAGER
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Godfather of Soul is planning a reunion with the King of Cincinnati. James Brown is coming to town today to tour the King Records building in Evanston, where the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer recorded his dozens of hits.

The soul music pioneer is considering converting the building, now a warehouse, into the Ga-Lina-King Records Co.

The proposed project has the blessings of King founder Syd Nathan's widow, Zella.

"I think it's wonderful," Mrs. Nathan said Wednesday. "Syd was very fond of James."

Mr. Brown, who has talked for years about reopening King, could not be reached for comment.

King Records, founded by Mr. Nathan in 1943, released many of the most important records in early rock 'n' roll.

Mr. Nathan died in 1968 and was inducted into the Rock Hall last month, but his hometown has been slow in acknowledging King.

"I'm just happy to see something happen," Mrs. Nathan said. "Because I think the city of Cincinnati has been very cheap as far as anything, even erecting a plaque, for my husband."

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NATHAN ENTERS ROCK AND ROLL HALL May 4, 1997