Sweet Charles Sherrell facts for kids
"Sweet" Charles Sherrell (born Charles Emanuel Sherrell; March 8, 1943 – March 29, 2023) was an amazing American musician, mostly known for playing the bass guitar. He played with many famous artists, especially the "Godfather of Soul," James Brown.
Quick facts for kids
Sweet Charles Sherrell
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| Birth name | Charles Sherrell |
| Also known as | Sweet Charles |
| Born | March 8, 1943 Nashville, Tennessee, US |
| Died | March 29, 2023 (aged 80) |
| Genres | R&B, funk |
| Instruments | Electric bass, vocals, guitar, keyboards |
| Labels | People |
| Associated acts | Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Maceo Parker |
Contents
Early Life and Musical Journey
Charles Sherrell was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He started his musical journey playing the drums. He even practiced with future guitar legend Jimi Hendrix and musician Billy Cox when they were young!
Learning to Play
Charles was very eager to learn music. He learned to play the guitar by helping Curtis Mayfield, another famous musician. Charles would wash Curtis's car, and in return, Curtis would give him guitar lessons.
Soon after, Charles taught himself to play the bass guitar. He bought his first bass from a pawn shop for just $69! This led him to join a band called Johnny Jones & The King Kasuals, which was the backing group for the incredible singer Aretha Franklin.
Playing with James Brown
In August 1968, Charles Sherrell joined James Brown's band. He became a very important part of the band's sound.
Famous Songs and New Sounds
Charles played bass on some of James Brown's most famous songs from the late 1960s. These included popular R&B hits like "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud", "Mother Popcorn", and "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose".
James Brown even said that Charles was the first bassist in his band to use special playing techniques, like "thumping" on the strings. This style was later used by other famous bass players, including Bootsy Collins.
Later Work with James Brown
In the 1970s, Charles Sherrell rejoined James Brown and performed with his other band, The J.B.'s. He continued to help create the unique funk sound that James Brown was known for.
Other Musical Projects
Besides his work with James Brown, Charles Sherrell also played with many other talented artists.
Collaborations and Solo Work
He played bass for Al Green and with Maceo & All the King's Men. He also sang on some of Maceo Parker's albums. Charles also released his own music under the name Sweet Charles. His first solo album, For Sweet People, was released on James Brown's record label, People Records. He also released the album Universal Love in 2017.
Legacy
Charles Sherrell passed away on March 29, 2023, at the age of 80. He is remembered as a talented bassist who helped shape the sound of funk and R&B music. His contributions to the music of James Brown and other artists left a lasting impact on the world of music.
