James Brown at the Apollo
This was history in the making, so I had to check it out. The place was mobbed with people in 2 lines that extended for a combined 10 blocks at least by the time I left. Luckily, I got there around 11am when things were still a little sane. Unfortunately, James was late. He showed up around 2pm when people were already supposed to be going through the Apollo at 1.
Anyway, the line experience was full of well meaning comradery… for the most part. (The initial delay and the fact that celebrities and other “dignitaries” were allowed in first before anyone else had almost everyone grumbling and occasionally shouting at police.) But walking through the Apollo, onto the stage, and looking at this very small, old, dead man in a purple suit with a quirky smile frozen on his face was truly, truly, bizarre.
I don’t think I’ll forget this freaky day.
(Update: I had forgotten until today that old song from the 90’s by Lords of Acid, “James Brown is Dead”)
Posted in Dates to Remember, Historic, Music, bizarre
