D.C.'s 'Godfather Of Go Go' Dies At 75 break on chuck brown

WASHINGTON -- Chuck Brown, the legendary "Godfather of Go-Go," has died, according to Washington City Paper and other media reports.

The local D.C. musical giant, born in Gaston, N.C., and known for his group's 1979 chart-topping hit "Bustin' Loose," was 75.

Earlier this month, Brown's family revealed that he had pneumonia. He had canceled a planned performance at the newly reopened Howard Theatre in April due to health concerns.

According to the Associated Press, Brown died at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore.

From The Washington Post's obituary:

Known as the "Godfather of Go-Go," the performer, singer, guitarist and songwriter developed his commanding brand of funk in the mid-1970s to compete with the dominance of disco.

Like a DJ blending records, Mr. Brown used nonstop percussion to stitch songs together and keep the crowd on the dance floor, resulting in marathon performances that went deep into the night. Mr. Brown said the style got its name because "the music just goes and goes."

As NPR reported, "the name Chuck Brown might not mean a whole lot to people outside the Washington, D.C., area. That would be their loss."

No one in D.C. can really explain why go-go hasn't traveled beyond the city's environs — we love it here, it's all over our commercial R&B and hip-hop radio stations and, at least when I was in high school, a go-go in a school's gym was the most packed party of the weekend. Chuck Brown is a local hero. A few days after he played our offices, Brown and his whole band played at the Redskins' stadium for the halftime show.

The news of Brown's death circulated around the nation's capital Wednesday afternoon, prompting tributes.

District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray said in a statement:

"Go-go is D.C.'s very own unique contribution to the world of pop music, and Chuck Brown was regarded as Go-go's creator and, arguably, its most legendary artist," Mayor Gray said. "Today is a very sad day for music lovers the world over, but especially in the District of Columbia. Without Chuck Brown, the world –- and our city –- will be a different place. What a loss!

I am thankful that I had so many opportunities to witness Chuck's singular talent in person, and I enjoyed each performance immensely. My heart, my thoughts and my prayers go out to his family."

@jfdulac
J. Freedom du Lac

Chuck Brown's "Eye Candy" is on the jukebox at Ben's Chili Bowl as news of his death plays on the TVs.

Wednesday night, hundreds of fans gathered on T Street NW outside the Howard Theatre to pay tribute to Brown in an impromptu vigil.

According to a statement from Steven Bensusan, president of Blue Note Entertainment, which manages the Howard Theatre:

"It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the death of legendary D.C. native and musician Chuck Brown. Chuck was an integral part of the history of The Howard Theatre, having played to packed crowds of go-go fans countless times in the 1980's; we were thrilled that he was so excited to become a part of the theatre's future as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."

Ron Moten, the Peaceoholics co-founder who is running for D.C. Council's Ward 7 seat, said:

Even during this time of sorrow, I am glad to have the fond memory of personally inducting Chuck Brown into the GoGo Hall of Fame which I co-founded. We will miss you Chuck.

More reaction on Twitter:

• Chuck Brown

• Chuck Brown

  In this Jan. 18, 2010 photo, master of ceremonies Chuck Brown speaks during a program to celebrate the legacy of the late Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington.

• Chuck Brown

  Flickr photo of Chuck Brown appearing on CNN by Marco Raaphorst

• Chuck Brown

  Flickr photo of Chuck Brown at the video shoot for "Block Party" by dalesun

• Chuck Brown

  Flickr photo by dalesun

• Chuck Brown

• Chuck Brown

  "Block Party" by Chuck Brown featuring DJ Kool

• Chuck Brown

  NPR Music's Chuck Brown Tiny Desk Concert was like a dream come true for a lot of NPR staffers. Set List: "Senorita" "Chuck Baby" "Wind Me Up!" / "Bustin' Loose" "Run Joe" / "It Don't Mean A Thing" For more Tiny Desk Concerts, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts

• Chuck Brown

• Chuck Brown

• Chuck Brown

• Chuck Brown

• Chuck Brown

  Flickr photo by dalesun

• Chuck Brown

• Chuck Brown

  Chuck Brown performs "Wind Me Up!" at D.C.'s 9:30 Club. Video courtesy of raw Venture Records & Tapes

Contribute to this Story:

"; var coords = [-5, -72]; // display fb-bubble FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'}); });