CHUCK BROWN (August 22, 1936 – May 16, 2012)

Chuck Brown (August 22, 1936 – May 16, 2012) was a guitarist and singer who is affectionately called "the Godfather of Go-go".Go-go is a subgenre of funk music developed in and around Washington, D.C. in the mid- and late-1970s. While its musical classification, influences, and origins are debated, Brown is regarded as the fundamental force behind the creation of go-go music.


Chuck Brown, It Don't Mean A Thing, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY 7-30-11


Brown resided in Brandywine, Maryland. He had 2 sons, Wiley and Nekos Brown. Wiley is[when?] a musician and football player at Virginia Tech. His son, Nekos, was a defensive end/linebacker for the Virginia Tech football team. While his son[which?] was in college, Brown scheduled concerts and other appearances around the Hokies home schedule to ensure that he would never miss a game, and became a fixture at Lane Stadium. Following the Virginia Tech massacre, Brown stated in an interview that he was "absolutely devastated" by the tragedy, and cried every day for two weeks. In shows that followed, Brown would pause for a moment in prayer for the victims and their families before beginning his performance, and dedicated several shows to their memory.

CHUCK BROWN "GOGO SWING,MIDNIGHT SUN,MOODY'S MOOD" @ 930 CLUB

Brown was considered a local legend in Washington, D.C., and appeared in television advertisements for the Washington Post and other area companies. The D.C. Lottery's "Rolling Cash 5" ad campaign features Chuck Brown singing his 2007 song "The Party Roll" in front of various D.C. city landmarks such as Ben's Chili Bowl.

Brown was the subject of the cover article in The Washington Post Magazine on October 4, 2009, entitled Chuck Brown's Long Dance.[6] He received his first Grammy Award nomination in 2010 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for "Love" (with Jill Scott and Marcus Miller), from the album We Got This.

Chuck Brown: Bustin' Loose



In 2009, the block of 7th Street in Northwest Washington, DC between Florida Avenue and T Street was renamed "Chuck Brown Way" in his honor.

On September 4, 2011, Brown was honored by the National Symphony Orchestra, as the NSO paid tribute to Legends of Washington Music Labor Day concert - honoring Brown's music, as well as Duke Ellington and John Philip Sousa - with a free concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol. Brown and his band capped off the evening with a performance.

CHUCK BROWN AND THE SOUL SEARCHERS "DAY-O" @ CAPITAL CENTRE 1987




DISCOGRAPHY

1972: We the People
1974: Salt of the Earth
1979: Bustin' Loose
1980: Funk Express
1984: We Need Some Money
1986: Go Go Swing Live [Future Sounds Production]
1987: Any Other Way to Go?
1987: Live '87 - D.C. Bumpin' Y'all [live; double album]
1989: Trust Me: Live Pa Tape, Vol. 2 [Future Records & Tapes]
1990: Wind Me up Chuck, Vol. 3 [Raw Venture Records & Tapes]
1991: 90's Goin' Hard
1993: This Is a Journey into Time [live]
1995: Hah Man
1995: The Other Side - with Eva Cassidy (recorded in 1992 and released in 1995)
1997: Live Pa Tape
1998: Timeless
1999: The Spirit of Christmas
2001: Your Game...Live at the 9:30 Club
2002: Put Your Hands Up!
2005: Best of Chuck Brown (remastered)
2007: We are About The Business (Raw Venture Records)
2010: We Got This (Raw Venture Records)