I'd been meaning to see you perform. For years I put it off because I either didn't have anyone to go with at the time or a lack of money. And sometimes I wouldn't know about it until after the performance. When I heard you were in the hospital recently, I sent an email to my boyfriend saying that when you got out, he and I should go. I knew that even though you canceled your show at Howard Theatre, you'd be back on the stage in no time, and that I'd get a chance to see a newly remodeled piece of black history (Howard Theatre) and you at the same time. But I won't have that chance. Honestly, I'm not even a big fan of go-go music....the bands that I've heard just seem to be making a bunch of racket to me...but when I heard you play, I got it...I understood what made people love it so much. It was because you loved it.
So, thank you for your contribution through the decades, and though I was late in learning of you, it doesn't lessen my appreciation. What a legacy you left, what a life you led.
Farewell.
Signed,
Jennifer Singleton
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After being saddened today by the news of Chuck Brown's passing, I recalled my first impressions of go-go music when I first came to the DC area 10 years ago. Coming from Louisiana, I already had an appreciation for music specific to a particular region and culture, and was feeling homesick at the thought of not being able to easily listen to zydeco and bounce music. I soon began hearing the locals and radio hosts mention something called "go-go" and a man named Chuck Brown. They said he was godfather of go-go. I was unfamiliar with this genre of music, but I could definitely hear similarities between what we loved back home and this new music that seemed so near and dear to the hearts of many DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) residents. Through the years, when I've heard people refer to go-go, the only person who came to mind was Chuck Brown. I could listen to anything he and his band performed. I'm deeply saddened that I didn't have the chance to see him perform. Time is so precious. Just when you think you have it, it has a tendency to prove you wrong.
I've been rambling for a while now, I suppose I should go to bed now. Just wanted to say something about Chuck.
This is one of my favorite Chuck Brown songs, the go-go'd version of the theme from 'The Godfather.'
Oh by the way....since I mentioned zydeco, how about I let you listen to some of it. This clip's from 2009's Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge, La., a small town I spent a lot of time in with my friend Joanel and her family (RIP Joanel). The Crawfish Festival is a very important occasion in south Louisiana by the way. Man I miss home!!!!!
Do you hear any similarities?
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