POP/ROCK - May 11, 1988

Adrienne Brown, spouse to “Godfather of Soul” James Brown, is in the news again--this time for allegedly torching a New Hampshire hotel room. Bedford, N.H., police said Tuesday that Adrienne Brown, 38, was was released on $2,000 cash bail after being charged with arson and criminal mischief in connection with a fire at the Sheraton Wayfarer. Brown did not give details of the fire’s origin, but police said they are also testing an “unknown substance” found in her possession. James Brown, who wasn’t in the room when the fire started, asked police about the charges and whether his wife could be released in time to make his entourage’s plane flight out of New Hampshire. She was on board when the plane took off Tuesday, but must return May 25 for a court hearing. Damage to the room--a scorched carpet and door--was described by police as “moderate.”