Bruno Mars influenced by soul legend

Bruno Mars has said that he was influenced by James Brown.

He said that the soul legend inspired him and 'changed his life'.

'I'd watch James Brown on an old concert from 1964 'The T.A.M.I. Show',' he said. 'Seeing him changed my life. I was working every night singing and going to school during the day. It was very important to me to graduate.'

Speaking about his success, he told Contactmusic : 'I feel great. I've worked really hard. I hope people realise all the success I've had didn't just happen in a day. It's just years of locking yourself away in the studio.

'It can get a little lonely and dark sometimes, but the pay-off is when you get the album out and your songs are playing all round the world.'