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The Famous Flames was an R&B vocal group founded by Bobby Byrd that performed with James Brown during the early years of his career. On recordings such as "Please, Please, Please", "Try Me" and "I'll Go Crazy" the group's smooth backing harmonies contrasted strikingly with Brown's own rough, impassioned delivery. The Famous Flames performed with Brown on his breakthrough album Live at the Apollo. They also performed with him in the films The T.A.M.I. Show and Ski Party and made appearances on television programs including American Bandstand, Where the Action Is, and two episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show.

The Famous Flames appeared less and less often on record as Brown's music moved beyond his original R&B style and into the realm of funk. They continued to appear with him on stage until 1967. After briefly leaving him in the late 60s, Byrd continued with Brown in a supporting vocal role into the 70s and beyond.

On their first recording, "Please, Please, Please", The Famous Flames were billed simply as The Flames. In later concerts and recordings Brown and the group were billed as James Brown and The Famous Flames, or sometimes as James Brown and His Famous Flames.

During the earliest phase of the Flames' career, before they had a recording contract, each member of the group played an instrument; Bobby Byrd played the piano, while Brown himself played drums. However, in later years (aside from the brief exception of guitarist Nafloyd Scott) The Famous Flames consisted specifically of the singers who backed Brown, not the instrumentalists in his band. (During the 50s and 60s his band was billed as the James Brown Band, the James Brown Orchestra, or the Poets depending on the context.)

The personnel of The Famous Flames varied widely in the group's early years. At the time "Please, Please, Please" was recorded on February 4, 1956, The Flames was made up of Brown, Byrd, Johnny Terry, Sylvester Keels, and Nash Knox with Nafloyd Scott on guitar. Terry was the only member of the original lineup (aside from Brown) to perform on the group's next hit, "Try Me", in 1958.

The longest-lasting Famous Flames lineup consisted of Byrd, Bobby Bennett, and "Baby Lloyd" Stallworth.

• White, Cliff and Weinger, Harry (1991). Are You Ready for Star Time?. In Star Time [CD liner notes]. New York: Polydor Records.
• MusicWeb Encyclopedia entry on The Famous Flames. Retrieved March 26, 2007.
• GodfatherOfSoul.com page on The Famous Flames and The J.B.'s. Retrieved March 26, 2007.