In his day, no performer with measurable vital signs would DARE follow James Brown on a bill.
He was a force of nature, and truly 'The Hardest-Working Man in Show Business'. Actually, if anybody was, James was THE MAN. And yet he had a social consciousness at a dangerous time for a black performer: I remember separate water fountains and segregated schools. When he released 'Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud', this was way beyond joining PETA or getting on the Global Warming bandwagon. Cities were burning, Dr King was marching from Selma to Montgomery, Ms Rosa Parks was still a young woman, and the Motown package shows were still staying in 'Black Only' hotels on the road.
If you don't own 'Live at the Apollo', tomorrow, go GET IT. Come on, get on up, and get on the scene. . .
J o e y
