ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:
Now, we remember Chuck Brown, the godfather of go-go.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "BUSTIN' LOOSE")
SIEGEL: He died today at the age of 75. Brown created the genre of music known as go-go in 1970's Washington, D.C. For more than three decades, he was its most noted and charismatic figure.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "BUSTIN' LOOSE")
CHUCK BROWN: (Singing) Keep what you got until you get what you need, y'all.
SIEGEL: While go-go never gained widespread popularity, the percussive, heavy funk music maintained a strong presence in the nation's capital. As Brown told NPR in 2007, his signature sound was something best experienced live.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED BROADCAST)
BROWN: You have really get into it and realize that the audience participation - the crowd response is what's happening. And we'll just play and play and just keep going. We won't stop.
SIEGEL: Brown achieved the most success with the song "Bustin' Loose" with his group The Soul Searchers. It's been four weeks atop the R&B singles chart in 1978.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "BUSTIN' LOOSE")
BROWN: (Singing) Talking about busting loose, y'all. Busting loose to my love jones. Busting loose to each his own.
SIEGEL: When it came to writing music, Brown says it was always about the groove.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED BROADCAST)
BROWN: I'm not what you might call a lyric writer. I write hooks and try to make people work with the audience. And the funky tracks, that's what you need.
SIEGEL: Chuck Brown continued to perform late into his life. In Washington, he was a legend. The city even designated a street in his honor. But for all the attention he received, Brown remained humble.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED BROADCAST)
BROWN: Everybody called me the godfather. I didn't designate that name for myself, you know? It came from the fans. They're the boss, the fans and the radio.
SIEGEL: And the name stuck. Chuck Brown, the godfather of go-go, died today at the age of 75.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:
You're listening to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.