Chuck Brown was the metaphysical heart and soul of DC’s funk movement. He took derivative forms of soul music, jazz and R&B to a create a style of funk known as ‘go-go.’ Similar to reggae, go-go music is known, rhythmically, for its laid-back and syncopated groove. Brown stylized the sound with spicy percussion and funky guitar swings. He gave DC a righteous soundtrack.
Brown died yesterday in Baltimore, and fans from Tokyo to Texas responded with a spate of farewells and tributes.
I, personally, never met or didn’t know Mr. Brown. But it was evidenced many times his compassion for his fanbase especially here in DC. He was a homeboy, a native of the District who never stopped getting energized from performing a local venues before touring abroad.
Last month, I spoke to “Sir Joe” Quarterman who performed in battle-of-the-band style contests with Brown and his band, The Soul Searchers, in the 60s. Quarterman fondly reminisced on their musical battles, R&B versus go-go, promoted and broadcast on DC’s legendary WOL radio station and hosted by Carroll Hynson. Hynson, known to DC natives as Mr. C, helped paved the road for the shingly-voiced Brown and the Soul Searchers.
In 1979, Brown and the Soul Searchers hit the mainstream on repeat with “Bustin’ Loose,” a free-spinning, slap-happy funk tune with tense horns and drums, a psychedelic call-and-response routine and a dollop of jazzy reeds.
“Loose” fleshed out go-go’s sound; the song helped usher the musical style to other corners of a funk-conscious world. “Bustin’ Loose” was an R&B chart-topper that reached its peak in the mid-30s on Billboard’s Singles Chart. St. Louis-bred hip hop artist, Nelly, would later interpolate the song into the summer anthem, “Hot in Herre,” which won the rapper a Grammy.
The music business can be as rough as the mean streets. Mr. Brown got his taste of it. But he was student of the art which made him a genuine talent. He had a lot of fundamental support from fans and other artists, particularly Thievery Corporation, who in the summer of 2011 introduced Mr. Brown to a crowd at Kastles Stadium.
His appearance brought cheers and salutations from the crowd. Chuck Brown reveled in the frenzy and performed with Eric Hilton, Rob Garza, See-I and the Thievery All-Stars.
In 2009, Chuck Brown Way was a street dedicated to the go-go pioneer’s namesake and legacy. Yesterday, there were many a solo, private and public parties across the DMV area in his honor.
Chuck Brown may be gone but when you hear that young man playing the paint bucket drums at the metro station, imagine it a heartbeat. Chuck Brown lives. That’s the fundamental metaphysics of “The Godfather of Go-Go.”
Chuck Brown departs the DC Record Fair, May 2009
Live photos: Dave Barnhouser
