wiseone2

In 2006 everybody knew James Brown's work. In the late fifties it was "James Who?" He was totally unknown when he made his first appearance at the Uptown Theater.
In those days black acts played a circuit of theaters. The Regal in Chicago, the Royal in Baltimore, the Uptown in Philadelphia and the Apollo in NYC were all part of the package.
James Brown had not worked in Philadelphia. No one had seen him in person.
In front of the Uptown was a picture of Brown, or so they would have you believe The picture would have done Johnny Mathis proud. Here was a handsome, light-skinned guy with straight hair........we know what James REALLY looked like.
The first show was packed with screaming teen-aged girls. The house lights dimmed... when they came up there was James Brown....the REAL James Brown. There was was silence. He opened his mouth and started to sing. The quiet audience went wild. I was afraid the crazed mob was going to come on stage and get this guy who looked nothing like the life sized picture in front of the theater.
That was my first encounter with the pre God-Father of Soul, James Brown.

The last time I played for JB was strange. He had a band on stage doing very intricate steps, spinning their horns and not playing a note
I was in a separate off-stage group really playing his music. That was the last time I worked with Johnny Coles.

HIT ME
Wilmer

Solar Bell

Man Wilmer!

What a great career you have had.

Hats off to you man!

-cw-

wilcox96

Those were great stories, Wilmer. Interesting... even though Good Morning America did a montage of pictures and music this morning, I thought it odd that the only thing about him on the scrolling ticker at the bottom of the screen was something about that his wife had been locked out of their home for some time. Seems like the ticker should have also highlighted the fact that he had passed away instead of a "who cares shocker". Therefore, unless you were tuned in for the montage...you'd just think there was a domestic dispute in the "James Brown" family.

Hey... he's had his share of turmoil. Who hasn't. Still... we lost another original...classic...timeless...entertainer.