Two thoughts: (1) He had the funniest bit at the end of every show. He would act like he's running out of energy as he walks off stage, and some guy would always come out and throw a flowing robe over his shoulders. At the last moment, he'd throw the robe off and fire off that crazy James Brown dancing. (2) Eddie Murphy did a great James Brown "Hot Tub" skit years ago on SNL.
Here it is (complete with the flowing robe.)