When Gi Dussault and myself were preparing for our six hour
drive to Montreal last Friday , Gary Hines of Sounds of Blackness
said remember to bring some James Brown CDs. Got to have some funk for
the long ride. We were at a great party on Dec. 24th in downtown Montreal with
our family. Kind of a funk/disco themed gala.

As we were waiting for our ride in the lobby, I sat down and
started to read the local music newspaper. On the cover was a small picture of
James Brown with a bigger story inside. The journal was hyping an upcoming Jan.
3rd James Brown show at the Metropolis. I thought to myself James was still 
sharp as ever with his monogrammed bowtie.

Next morning, I was laying down in bed and listening to the
local radio newcast. The announcer made a brief announcement of James Brown
passing at the age of 73. Whew, I don't think I've cried like that in a long
time. But it is time to celebrate the life and music of music of Mr. James
Brown.

Back in 1983, I had the great honor of meeting James Brown. I
was a 19 year old deejay at AM 1450 WNAB in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
James Brown and Wilson Pickett were playing a two show gig at the
American Shakespeare Theater in Stratford, Connecticut. I was filling
in on-air for Ted Brown, host of the R&B show at night. Ted was emceeing
the Brown/Pickett concerts.

After wrapping up my show, I drove over to the concert venue
where they were in between shows. Ted Brown asked me if I wanted to meet Wilson
and James. I said sure and first met Wilson Pickett. Next, we strode over to
Brown's dressing room. And, James warmly greeted us and shook my hand and said,
"God bless you, son.". That was too cool !!  Always ready to look dynamite,
James had his hair up in curlers prepping for the nightcap show.

We went upstairs and hung out behind the stage curtain with
James' band. James' third wife was backstage too and if memory serves me
correct, she had a nice shiny bling (did we call it that back then )) 
on one of her fingers. James' guitar player was real cool with us and we made
plans to hang out after the show. But you know showbiz, show ends and the bus
has to move to another city. I do remember one last thing about that night. One
of James' bandmates was smoking a cigarrette right before they were going to go
onstage. Brown walked by and sternly said to him, "Put that out. " Brother ran a
tight ship but that's why it rode so smoothly.

Personally, James Brown has given me so many goosebump
moments from the funk, the dancing, musicianship and aura. Plus, he was a
stellar balladeer. Underrated in my opinion.  And, I can't tell you how
many times musicians have referenced James Brown to me in interviews or personal
conversations. I asked Jellybean Johnson of the Time how did he
learn the drums. Jellybean quickly said, "James Brown records." Bean even called
my house one day and was so pumped about a show that he and his Minneapolis
musician friends did the previous night. He said they did a 20 minute version of
Brown's "The Payback" . I think Prince even jumped onstage
to play a bit.

When Sheila E. appeared on my radio show a few years
ago, I complimented her about a picture inside her CD. She was pictured playing
an acoustic guitar and I asked her if she played the guitar. She said a little
bit and had the James Brown guitar licks down pat.
Musicians speaking  highly of other musicians really
holds validity in my book. Chris Frantz and Mystic Bowie of the
Tom Tom Club  had gone to see James Brown a couple years ago in NYC
at BB King's Blues Club and they were still raving about James' prowess
onstage.

Thank You James Brown. We love ya!!!!
Peace
Joe Kelley

What a great story. I met Lionel Hampton in college, but didn't truly appreciate it until much later. James Brown must have been a real thrill.