[CrosscutSaw]

An mp3 audio of the entire concert can be heard here: http://streams.wgbh.org/online/play.php?xml=blue/brown_james.xml&template=wgbh_audio

Listen to Mr. Brown's speech right after he sings "If I Ruled The World" near the beginning of the concert and contrast his views to those of the so-called black leaders of today.

The documentary airs Saturday, April 5, at 9:00pm ET.

[weegee]

Why does WGBH Boston supress this video?

[weegee]

James Brown also sang “I don’t want nobody to give me nothing, open up the door, I’ll get it myself” (and that is the title).

[weegee]

Rock and Roll PING!

[wideawake]

Nice Albert King reference in your screenname.

I just purchased Hip-O-Select's compilation of James Brown's singles from 1967 -1969, and it features the Prime Minister Of The New Super Heavy Heavy Funk's patriotic paean to the USA "America Is My Home (Pts. 1 & 2)."

Despite his faults, James Brown's heart was in the right place and he was an incredible artist.

[JZelle]

Jump back wanna kiss myself!

[mysterio]

James Brown is one of my heroes.

[Argus]

Bump for the funk.

[11bravo wolfhoundf]

He had one song that really drove me nuts.

Say it loud... I’M BLACK AND I’M PROUD.

That song was heard all over Ft. Polk in 69. I heard that song so much that it ran in my brain like a permanent loop.

I bet I was then only white guy who would be ditty popping over to the PX singing that crazy song. It just wouldn’t go away.

Gotta go take some meds. It’s doing it again.

[toddlintown]

Is he still in his bed in a cold room in his mansion or did they finally bury him?

Very Funky Town in the room, I’m sure.

[dennisw]

[SupplySider]

Thanks for posting. Unlike the Obamas, James Brown, who experienced real bigotry, loved America.

I saw him perform in Maryland around 1969. Besides the amazing show, I remember him giving a heartfelt plea to the kids to stay in school.

[SE Mom]

Thanks for posting- I wouldn’t have known about this otherwise (gotta love FR)...I’ll watch it this evening!

James Brown was an incredible talent when I was growing up- loved his music.

[t_skoz]

thanks for posting this.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

But on April 5, 1968, James Brown the patriot is also James Brown the businessman, so he definitely isn’t in the mood to hear what Boston Mayor Kevin White is asking. Mayor White wants to know if JB will encourage his fans to stay home and watch the concert on television. the mayor is saying, “If you’ll allow this concert to be on TV tonight, your fans in Boston (code for ghetto class African-Americans) will stay home and the night will be peaceful.” Meaning that unlike what might is happening in so many other cities around the country, Boston won’t erupt in flames.

---

This history repeated itself in reverse in 1972 - on that date Kevin White made sure that the Stones went on - as I remember White appeared on the stage at Boston Garden and said “My city is in flames” and pleaded for calm until the Stones showed up at 12:30AM as written below. I was there
but outside, never made it in the Garden.

They were supposed to appear in Boston, but bad weather forced their plane from Montreal to land at Warwick, R.I. There the Rolling Stones were passing through customs when a photographer began snapping pictures. First thing you know there was some pushing, then some shoving, then some cops. When things settled down, Mick Jogger, Lead Guitarist Keith Richard and three other belligerent members of the Stones’ entourage were on their way to the police station. Boston Mayor Kevin White calmed 15,000 sweltering fans who were waiting in the Boston Garden by telling them that he had telephoned a plea to the Warwick police to rush the boys through court. The busted Stones finally made the Garden at 12:30 a.m. and the show went on.

[SupplySider]

I enjoyed the show, even the comments of Cornell West, whom I don't usually agree with. Replacing Sharpton with more JB would have been better, though.

It's too bad James Brown wasn't reimbursed his lost ticket sales by the city. Boston saved a heck of a lot more than $60,000 that night. Next MLK birthday, Boston should donate that amount, adjusted for inflation and accrued interest, to the United Negro College Fund.