Chuck Brown

Chuck Brown
Close-up of Brown singing
Brown performing in 2011
Born
Charles Louis Brown

(1936-08-22)August 22, 1936
DiedMay 16, 2012(2012-05-16) (aged 75)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Other namesThe Godfather of Go-Go
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • guitarist
Musical career
OriginWashington, D.C., U.S.
Genres
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1960s–2012
Formerly ofThe Soul Searchers
Websitewindmeupchuck.com

Charles Louis Brown (August 22, 1936 – May 16, 2012) was an American guitarist, bandleader and singer known as "The Godfather of Go-Go".[1] Go-go is a subgenre of funk music developed around the Washington, D.C., area in the mid-1970s. While its musical classification, influences, and origins are debated, Brown is regarded as the fundamental force behind the creation of go-go music.[2][3]

At the time of his death he was still performing music and was well known in the Washington, D.C., area. The song "Ashley's Roachclip" from the 1974 album Salt of the Earth by Brown's band The Soul Searchers[4] contains a drum break, sampled countless times in various other tracks.[5] Brown's R&B hits include "Bustin' Loose"(1979)[6] and "We Need Some Money"(1984).[7]

  1. ^ "'Godfather of Go-Go,' Chuck Brown Dies". The Washington Informer. May 16, 2012. Archived from the original on May 20, 2012.
  2. ^ Smith, Craig (November 2, 2007). "Some More D.C. Flavor: Chuck Wound Me Up". Virginia Law Weekly. 60 (9). University of Virginia. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  3. ^ "Chuck Brown Dead: D.C.'s 'Godfather Of Go Go' Dies At 75". HuffPost. May 16, 2012.
  4. ^ "Soul Searchers". Rap Sample FAQ. The Breaks.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  5. ^ "Ashley's Roachclip by The Soul Searchers". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  6. ^ Chuck Brown Bio Windmeupchuck.com/bio. Retrieved 16 March 2023
  7. ^ Chuck Brown We Need Some Money All music. Retrieved 22 March 2023