Chuck Brown facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chuck Brown
Brown performing in 2011
Born	Charles Louis Brown (1936-08-22)August 22, 1936 Gaston, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	May 16, 2012(2012-05-16) (aged 75) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Other names	The Godfather of Go-Go
Occupation	Singer musician songwriter record producer guitarist
Musical career
Origin	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres	Go-go funk swing hip hop neo soul jazz-funk blues
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1960s–2012

Charles Louis Brown (born August 22, 1936 – died May 16, 2012) was an American guitarist, band leader, and singer. He was famously known as "The Godfather of Go-Go". Go-go is a special type of funk music. It started in the Washington, D.C., area in the mid-1970s. Many people believe Chuck Brown was the most important person in creating go-go music.

Early Life and Music Start

Chuck Brown was born on August 22, 1936, in Gaston, North Carolina. When he was six years old, he moved to Washington, D.C. Life was tough for him growing up.

In the 1950s, Chuck Brown faced a difficult time. While in prison, he traded cigarettes for a guitar. This is how he first fell in love with playing the instrument. After his release, he moved back to Washington, D.C. He worked different jobs like driving trucks and laying bricks. He also started playing music at parties.

Chuck Brown's Music Career

Brown with his signature blonde Gibson ES-175

Chuck Brown's music journey began in the 1960s. He played guitar with Jerry Butler and The Earls of Rhythm. In 1965, he joined a group called Los Latinos. He continued performing music until he passed away. He was very well-known in the Washington, D.C., area.

Some of his early popular songs include "We Need Some Money" and "Bustin' Loose". The song "Bustin' Loose" is now used by the Washington Nationals baseball team. They play it when they hit a home run! The song was also used by the rapper Nelly in his 2002 hit "Hot in Herre."

Chuck Brown also made go-go versions of older jazz and blues songs. These included "Go-Go Swing" (from Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing If Ain't Got That Swing"), "Moody's Mood For Love", and "Run Joe".

He inspired many other go-go bands. Some of these include the Soul Rebels Brass Band, Big G and The Backyard Band, Junk Yard Band, Rare Essence, and Trouble Funk.

A song called "Ashley's Roachclip" from his 1974 album Salt of the Earth is very famous. It has a special drum beat that has been used in many other songs.

In the mid-1990s, he performed the theme song for the TV show The Sinbad Show. He also appeared in TV ads for The Washington Post.

Death and Lasting Impact

Chuck Brown passed away on May 16, 2012. He was 75 years old. He died in Baltimore, Maryland, due to heart failure and other organ problems. Before he died, he had to cancel shows because he was sick with pneumonia. He is buried in Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf, Maryland.

Chuck Brown is still called the "Godfather of Go-Go." He is seen as a local hero in Washington, D.C. Many musicians say he influenced generations of artists. Vincent C. Gray, who was the mayor of Washington, D.C. at the time, called Brown "go-go's creator and, arguably, its most legendary artist."

After his death, other bands like the Soul Rebels Brass Band and Rare Essence performed a special tribute concert for him.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Chuck Brown received many honors for his music.

• In 2005, he won a National Heritage Fellowship. This is the highest honor in the United States for folk and traditional arts.
• In 2009, a street in Washington, D.C., was renamed Chuck Brown Way in his honor. It is the 1900 block of 7th Street NW.
• He was nominated for his first Grammy Award in 2011. This was for his song "Love" with Jill Scott and Marcus Miller.
• In 2011, the National Symphony Orchestra honored him. They paid tribute to his music along with other legends like Duke Ellington. Chuck Brown and his band even performed at the event.
• In 2014, the Chuck Brown Memorial Park was built in Washington, D.C. It has a wall honoring his life and a sculpture. The sculpture is called "Wind Me Up, Chuck." It represents the "call and response" style of go-go music.

Discography

Studio Albums

• We the People (1972)
• Salt of the Earth (1974)
• Bustin' Loose (1979)
• Funk Express (1980)
• We Need Some Money (1984)
• The Other Side (featuring Eva Cassidy) (1992)
• Hah Man (1994)
• Go-Go & Gumbo, Satchmo N Soul (1997)
• Timeless (1998)
• The Spirit of Christmas (1999)
• We're About the Business (2007)
• We Got This (2010)
• Beautiful Life (2014)

Live Albums

• Go Go Swing Live (1986)
• Any Other Way to Go? (1987)
• Live '87 – D.C. Bumpin' Y'all (1987)
• 90's Goin' Hard (1991)
• This Is a Journey...Into Time (1993)
• Your Game...Live at the 9:30 Club (2001)
• Put Your Hands Up! (2002)

Compilation Albums

• Go-Go Crankin' (1985)
• Good to Go (1986)
• Go Go Live at the Capital Centre (1987)
• The Go Go Posse (1988)
• Let's Go Go Christmas (1995)
• Greatest Hits (1998)
• Best of Chuck Brown (2005)