Chuck Brown

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Chuck Brown
Onstage, October 1, 2005
Background information
Born	1934
Origin	Washington, D.C.
Genre(s)	Go-go
Occupation(s)	Singer, musician, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)	Guitar
Years active	1960s-present
Website	windmeupchuck.com
Notable instrument(s)
Gibson ES-335 (blonde)

For the New Age musician, see Chuck Brown (New Age musician).

Chuck Brown (b. 1934) is an African-American jazz guitarist and singer who is affectionately called "The Godfather of Go-Go". Go-go is a subgenre of funk music developed in and around Washington, D.C. in the mid- and late 1970s. While its musical classification, influences, and origins are debated, Brown is regarded as the fundamental force behind the creation of go-go music.

Brown's musical career began in the 1960s playing guitar with Jerry Butler and The Earls of Rhythm, joining Los Latinos in 1965. He still performs music today and is commonly known in the Washington, DC area. Brown's early hits include "I Need Some Money" and "Bustin' Loose". "Bustin' Loose" has been adopted by the Washington Nationals baseball team as its home run celebration song. Brown also recorded go-go covers of early jazz and blues songs, such as "Go-Go Swing" Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing If Ain't Got That Swing", "Moody's Mood for Love", Johnny Mercer's "Midnight Sun", Louis Jordan's "Run Joe", and T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday".

He has influenced other go-go bands such as Big G and The Backyard Band, Rare Essence, Experience Unlimited (EU), Little Benny and the Masters, and Trouble Funk.

The song "Ashley's Roachclip" from the Soul Searchers' 1974 album Salt of the Earth contains a famous drum break.

Brown is considered a local legend in Washington, D.C., and has appeared in television advertisements for the Washington Post and other area companies. The D.C. Lottery's "Rolling Cash 5" ad campaign features Chuck Brown singing his 2007 song "The Party Roll" in front of various D.C. city landmarks such as Ben's Chili Bowl.

Brown resides in Waldorf, Maryland. His son, Nekos Brown, is a sophomore defensive end for the 2007 Virginia Tech football team.

[edit] Discography

1972: We the People
1974: Salt of the Earth
1979: Bustin' Loose
1980: Funk Express
1984: We Need Some Money
1986: Go Go Swing Live
1987: Any Other Way to Go?
1991: 90's Goin' Hard
1993: This Is a Journey into Time [live]
1995: Hah Man
1995: The Other Side - with Eva Cassidy (recorded in 1992 and released in 1995)
1997: Live Pa Tape
1997: Trust Me: Live Pa Tape, Vol. 2
1997: Wind Me up Chuck, Vol. 3 [live]
1998: Timeless
1999: The Spirit of Christmas
2001: Your Game...Live at the 9:30 Club
2002: Put Your Hands Up!
2005: Best of Chuck Brown (remastered)
2007: We're About The Business (Raw Venture Records)