Monday, December 25, 2006
Please Please Don't Go!
I saw James Brown live in 1965 when it mattered as part of the only audience that could rock the room like soul out of control into orbit before Apollo at the Uptown Theater. I was the only white person flanked by my colored friends Kenny 6’8” and Kirby 6”5”. We listened to 90 minutes or warm ups from the Orlons to the Impressions but the headliner was James.
I heard him introduced to a theater of silence. ‘And now ladies and Gentle it is star time.” Then more silence. Then a faint “Ow”! The Fabulous Flames cranked from the orchestra pit then stopped. James flew from stage left to center on one foot. Then stopped! Then the roof came off the building to the new hit with the new language “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.”
James had his hands under his belt just watching his feet take him all over the stage. Everyone was on their feet or feets. I saw the invention of the cape routine to “Please Please don’t go—I love you so” and everyone understood.
Later Michael Jackson would bring pop to hip hop but Michael was no James Brown. believe that!
James played too hard and stayed too long and didn’t grow old gracefully because the man was flat out wild and may be the first departed “Soul” to glide through the gates of heaven on one foot.
God the Father and the Godfather of Soul are hanging out—believe that!
Freddogg
