Chuck Brown

The man known as the Godfather of Go-Go has died. Chuck Brown pioneered a musical style of percussion-heavy funk that was born in Washington, D.C. Brown died at age 75 after suffering from pneumonia. Robert Siegel has this remembrance.

James Brown's biographer calls D.C. legend Chuck Brown "the square root of funk."

Brown's signature was a gravelly voice and his ability to lean effortlessly into a groove. The musician was known as the pioneer of a style of music born in Washington, D.C.

In Washington D.C., Brown is revered as the Godfather of Go-Go. So to have Brown play in a corner of the NPR Music offices with an 11-member group was dream come true for a lot of NPR staffers.

The Godfather of Go-Go died in 2012. In 2011, Brown stopped by World Cafe to talk about what was to be his final album, We Got This. Hear Brown discuss his music and career with host David Dye .