We can please have a moment of silence for...
Chuck Brown, a pioneer in Go-Go music, who passed away at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore on May 16 at the age of 75. The legendary guitarist-songwriter, who had been hospitalized for pneumonia, died from complications related to sepsis, according to his manager Tom Goldfogle.
Brown (with his band the Soul Searchers) was a major figurehead of go-go and its music scene in the Washington, D.C.-area, which inspired countless of local bands including Trouble Funk and Experience Unlimited (aka E.U.). A few of his classic songs like "Bustin Loose" and "Blow Your Whistle" were sampled by rappers Nelly (for 'Hot in Herre') and Eve ('Tambourine'), respectively. In the '80s, tunes like "We Need Some Money," "Run Joe," and "Go-Go Swing" became mainstay anthems in the go-go scene.
Mr. Brown continue to performed tirelessly before his death. "I'm not retired because I'm not tired," he told the Washington Post in 2006. "I'm still getting hired, and I'm still inspired. As long as I can walk up on that stage, I want to make people happy. I want to make people dance." That he did.
Among Brown's last performances was with the Philadelphia band the Roots at the "Wawa Welcome America" concert in front of the Art Museum on July 4, 2010. Mr. Brown would later jam with the Roots again at their 7th annual Jam Session in conjunction with the 2011 Grammy Awards Weekend Series in Los Angeles. "Damn DC: Long Live The Legacy Of The Immortal Sound of Mr Chuck Brown!" tweeted Roots drummer Questlove.
Brown's final album was his 3-disc CD/DVD set We Got This, which was release in September 2010. The lead single from the collection was "Love" featuring Jill Scott and bassist Marcus Miller. "Ohhhh Chuck!!!!! R.I.P., Dear friend and lover of the original beat, your music captivated and lifted. You will be MISSED!!!!" wrote Jill Scott.
Brown described go-go music as a love affair between him and his fans. "It's about love, the communication between performer and audience," he said. "When you're on stage, the people put that love to you and you give it back. There's no other music like it."
Chuck Brown is survived by his wife, several children including two sons Wiley and Nekos Brown, and daughter Cherita Whiting, and several grandchildren.