Chuck Brown Has Died

DC icon, the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown, has just died.  There have been rumors and not many facts for about a month as he recuperated in the hospital, but now an era ends.

The Post:

Chuck Brown, who styled a unique brand of funk music as a singer, guitarist and songwriter known as the “godfather of go-go,” has died after suffering from pneumonia. He was 75.

Brown died Wednesday at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore. Hospital spokesman Gary Stephenson confirmed he had died after a hospital stay that began April 18.

Thanks to Brown, go-go music was uniquely identified with Washington.

Musician Chuck Brown, who styled go-go music from the nation’s capital dead at 75

The Post also has a nice series of photographs HERE

Saw him at the Strathmore a year or so ago, amazing show, go-go is relentless -- there is no pause between songs -- and Chuck was timeless up there, rocking that one foot back and forth, smiling out at the people, singing with a resonant growl while he stood off to one side of the stage popping that Gibson semi-hollowbody, letting the younger performers take their turn but always dominating with poise and charisma.  Chuck Brown's death changes the landscape of Washington-area music significantly.

Tell you what, let's not argue about politics and gay people in the comments, if you want to talk about music let's do that today.