‘Pioneer of go-go music’ Chuck Brown dies at 75

The Washington, D.C. musical legend born in Gaston, N.C., and well-known for his group's 1979 super hit "Bustin' Loose", has died at the age of 75 at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore.

Brown’s manager, Tom Goldfogle, was not available for comment immediately after his demise. Later, he told the Washington Post that Brown had died of complications from sepsis.

At the start of this month, Chuck Brown's family revealed that he was suffering from pneumonia. He had been hospitalized since April 18 and finally lost the battle against the disease. He disregarded a planned performance in April due to medical reasons.

Brown, a singer/songwriter and guitarist, had been a renowned personality in the Washington, DC area for over three decades. He created a funky music that became known as “go-go.” This music was a unique mix of funk, soul and Latin party sounds.

His go-go music was uniquely popular within Washington. He continued to perform for his fans late in life. Brown's music was distinguished from others because he had a talent of good use of nonstop percussion to connect songs together and keep the crowd dancing to the music. His songs were seven to eight minutes long and were mostly played in parties and listened to in cars. Brown once said that "go go" got its name because "the music just goes and goes."

Grieving fans of the musician were invited on Wednesday evening to a spontaneous candlelight vigil in Washington, where a prayer session was held after the audience was treated to an amazing mix of Chuck Brown’s songs.

According to a usmagazine.com report, Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray praised the musician and his remarkable efforts for entertainment of his fans. He said, "Go-go is D.C.'s very own unique contribution to the world of pop music, and Chuck Brown was regarded as Go-go's creator and, arguably, its most legendary artist.”

The mayor sympathized with Brown’s family and said that his death is a great loss for music fans all over the world. He remarked, "Today is a very sad day for music lovers the world over, but especially in the District of Columbia. Without Chuck Brown, the world and our city will be a different place. What a loss! I am thankful that I had so many opportunities to witness Chuck's singular talent in person, and I enjoyed each performance immensely. My heart, my thoughts and my prayers go out to his family."

In 2005, the National Endowment for the Arts gave Brown a Lifetime Heritage Fellowship award. Brown was also nominated for a Grammy award in 2011 for Best Rhythm and Blues Performance by a Duo or Group for "Love".