James "thunder" early was the ficticious character in the movie, but I think he was based an a real person

Question

I'm just trying to figure out who that person might be. Thanks

Answer 1

Eddie Murphy brilliantly digests the R&B stars of the early '60s in his portrayal of James "Thunder" Early, a key figure in the fictional career of the Dreams, the girl group of the movie. He looks like Ike Turner, borrows his stage moves from Wilson and has some Marvin Gaye hovering over his character. Gaye was not only Motown's chief solo male vocal star, he was married to Gordy's sister. Gordy also packaged Gaye, at one point, as a supper club entertainer -- a common strategy for R&B performers hoping to cross over to white audiences in those days -- a scene repeated in the movie with Early

Answer 2

Eddy murphree he actually was singing...he used to sing he had an album once