**Update** Viewing & Funeral Services Announced
Mayor Gray announces official viewing and memorial service info. Click here.
Petworth students create Chuck Brown mural. Click here.
The Go-Go Godfather Passes.
A huge slice of DC went missing this Wednesday when news of the one and only Chuck Brown passed away.
The charismatic gentleman who created DC Go-Go will be remembered the world over.
I was introduced to the Chuck Brown sound over 20 years ago by my brother. I'll admit, it wasn't to my liking at first. And I couldn't understand what the big deal was.
But as you'd imagine, after seeing Chuck in performance, and his incredible mark on the community, I was impressed.
Here was this man who captured fans for over 40 years, with his shows always selling out. And he still had the energy to perform way into his 70s.
I got a chance a couple of times to interview Chuck Brown and I asked him if he had any plans of slowing down and taking it easy. In that raspy voice used to belt out his lyrical sound, he said to me, "As long as they're still paying, I'm still playing", and "As long as I still got the desire, there's no need to retire."
Chuck loved the youth. He would often incorporate messages like "Stay in school" into his live performances, letting kids know that education is important. Chuck's own kids made the trek to higher education; his son attending Virginia Tech.
Chuck helped lots of youth in the DC area launch music careers. He taught the youth a skill they could use for a lifetime. His influence spawned groups that you know about: The Bank Yard Band, Trouble Funk, CCB, and others. His Go-Go genre inspired bands you may not have heard about, like DL Funk Band.
Chuck incorporated family members into the business. I applaud him for that.
When I think about Chuck Brown, I'm reminded of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. To me, Chuck Brown was all seven.
He loved his fans, and the fans loved him back. He was humble. He was giving. He was selfless. I never heard or saw him any other way than respectful and joyful.
Chuck was a multi-talented musician; playing blues, gospel, and jazz. I longed for Chuck to come out with an all jazz album. He told me in 2007 he was working on one. I had been hoping and watching ever since, but Chuck stayed true to the sound that made him famous.
When the city of Washington, DC named a street after Chuck (video), fans came out in the wind and rain to honor him. Chuck may have been DC's Michael Jackson, next to Marvin Gaye.
Chuck embodied the bloom where you are principle. He took his prior circumstance and talent to make good. He overcame the 'victim of my circumstance' mentality.
I, like many of you, was saddened to learn of his passing. He was admitted to the hospital in April for an ailment that eventually led to him catching pneumonia*; later we learned he had battled a rare blood infection. I was out of town when the news came, but the city I was visiting knew of Chuck Brown.
Chuck has officially retired now - taking his rightful spot in that special place reserved for Go-Go funk masters - but the indelible mark he's made, and the non-stop Go-Go sound, will live on. And on. And on.
The world is a better place to have had Chuck Brown in it, and I'm glad I got to know him.
Thank you, Chuck Brown.
Video: Love. Peace. Happiness.
*I'm hoping there is no hospital negligence there.
Mayor Gray announces official viewing and memorial service info. Click here.
Petworth students create Chuck Brown mural. Click here.
The Go-Go Godfather Passes.
A huge slice of DC went missing this Wednesday when news of the one and only Chuck Brown passed away.
The charismatic gentleman who created DC Go-Go will be remembered the world over.
I was introduced to the Chuck Brown sound over 20 years ago by my brother. I'll admit, it wasn't to my liking at first. And I couldn't understand what the big deal was.
But as you'd imagine, after seeing Chuck in performance, and his incredible mark on the community, I was impressed.
 |
| Chuck Brown arrives at ceremony naming a DC street, Chuck Brown Way, after him. Photo/CD Brown. |
I got a chance a couple of times to interview Chuck Brown and I asked him if he had any plans of slowing down and taking it easy. In that raspy voice used to belt out his lyrical sound, he said to me, "As long as they're still paying, I'm still playing", and "As long as I still got the desire, there's no need to retire."
Chuck loved the youth. He would often incorporate messages like "Stay in school" into his live performances, letting kids know that education is important. Chuck's own kids made the trek to higher education; his son attending Virginia Tech.
Chuck helped lots of youth in the DC area launch music careers. He taught the youth a skill they could use for a lifetime. His influence spawned groups that you know about: The Bank Yard Band, Trouble Funk, CCB, and others. His Go-Go genre inspired bands you may not have heard about, like DL Funk Band.
Chuck incorporated family members into the business. I applaud him for that.
When I think about Chuck Brown, I'm reminded of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. To me, Chuck Brown was all seven.
He loved his fans, and the fans loved him back. He was humble. He was giving. He was selfless. I never heard or saw him any other way than respectful and joyful.
Chuck was a multi-talented musician; playing blues, gospel, and jazz. I longed for Chuck to come out with an all jazz album. He told me in 2007 he was working on one. I had been hoping and watching ever since, but Chuck stayed true to the sound that made him famous.
When the city of Washington, DC named a street after Chuck (video), fans came out in the wind and rain to honor him. Chuck may have been DC's Michael Jackson, next to Marvin Gaye.
Chuck embodied the bloom where you are principle. He took his prior circumstance and talent to make good. He overcame the 'victim of my circumstance' mentality.
I, like many of you, was saddened to learn of his passing. He was admitted to the hospital in April for an ailment that eventually led to him catching pneumonia*; later we learned he had battled a rare blood infection. I was out of town when the news came, but the city I was visiting knew of Chuck Brown.
Chuck has officially retired now - taking his rightful spot in that special place reserved for Go-Go funk masters - but the indelible mark he's made, and the non-stop Go-Go sound, will live on. And on. And on.
The world is a better place to have had Chuck Brown in it, and I'm glad I got to know him.
Thank you, Chuck Brown.
Video: Love. Peace. Happiness.
*I'm hoping there is no hospital negligence there.
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