Blue Note crowd sees the downside of James Brown.
Legendary soul man James Brown provided a New Year's Eve fireworks show of
his own.
His bizarre behavior stunned a highbrow crowd at the Blue Note jazz club with
actions that included: an on-stage rant in a bathrobe; going into the crowd
to confiscate a front-row showgoer's camcorder, angrily throwing a patron's
chair ala Bobby Knight and saying he had been communicating with the pope.
Dozens of showgoers, including a local TV reporter, were seen lining up for
refunds during the show.
"Never seen anything like it in my life," said one perturbed reveler who
clearly did not share the spirit demonstrated by The Godfather of Soul in his
signature hit "I Feel Good."
Things started going badly early. Revelers were told to arrive at 6 p.m., but
the doors didn't open until 7:15. At 9:15, Brown in a bathrobe was spotted
engaging in a heated debate with management off to the side of the stage.
A few minutes later, Brown was seen having words with two women at a table
near the front of the stage. When the two women got up and left, Brown went
to their table, tossed one chair and kicked the other. Then, with his arm, he
swept everything off their table: beverage glasses, party favors, etc.
At 10:15, he returned to the stage in his bathrobe, demanded management turn
down the sound and told the crowd that they had probably noticed he was
"pretty agitated because these people are trying to take advantage of me." He
mentioned that he had been paid $30 million for the performance but that he
had given back "all the money."
When he eventually came on stage in a suit, he dressed down his drummer at
one point, and raised more eyebrows when he said the pope had contacted him
and said he -- the pope -- was no longer going to hold audiences with people
because he couldn't attract the number of people "that James Brown could."
Calls to the Blue Note's local and New York corporate offices for a response
were not returned.
Wednesday, January 03, 2001
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
COLUMN: NORM!
Papa's got a brand new bag.
I also saw a show by James Brown, this one was in Sparks, Nevada. James Brown was a big part of my life in the 6o's and 70's.
His performance in Sparks was very mediocre in my opinion. Here was a big ball room filled with people just waiting for the "Good old Feeling" that only James Brown could give us, but he chose not to...
Out of numerous songs in his 1 1/2 hour performance he did not finish a single one. He started to sing one, then either gave a solo to one of his band members or gave the stage to some Cheerleader look and act alike, who was on stage slinging her hair around and doing semi aerobic stuff in short shorts. This did not fit in the concert, later on she was identified as a Rap singer from Barcelona, Spain, she did her thing for a while and it did not fit in with the concert. Another person who did not fit was a female singer who performed a Janis Joplin song, at best she was mediocre, sounding like she had Country and Western roots. Now, where did she come from I ask?
People where leaving early and those of us who did not, still waiting for "The feeling" whish we had.
As we walked out, somewhat dissapointed, we passed by the Black Jack tables. Behind several guards, there he was, none other than James Brown. We as well as several other fans, stood by the sidelines hoping for some sign of recognition, maybe a wave from the man. However he did not as much as glance at any of us. Is there something wrong with this picture, or is this just me?
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Legendary soul man James Brown provided a New Year's Eve fireworks show of his own. His bizarre behavior stunned a highbrow crowd at the Blue Note jazz club with actions that included: an on-stage rant in a bathrobe; going into the crowd to confiscate a front-row showgoer's camcorder, angrily throwing a patron's chair ala Bobby Knight and saying he had been communicating with the pope. Dozens of showgoers, including a local TV reporter, were seen lining up for refunds during the show. "Never seen anything like it in my life," said one perturbed reveler who clearly did not share the spirit demonstrated by The Godfather of Soul in his signature hit "I Feel Good." Things started going badly early. Revelers were told to arrive at 6 p.m., but the doors didn't open until 7:15. At 9:15, Brown in a bathrobe was spotted engaging in a heated debate with management off to the side of the stage. A few minutes later, Brown was seen having words with two women at a table near the front of the stage. When the two women got up and left, Brown went to their table, tossed one chair and kicked the other. Then, with his arm, he swept everything off their table: beverage glasses, party favors, etc. At 10:15, he returned to the stage in his bathrobe, demanded management turn down the sound and told the crowd that they had probably noticed he was "pretty agitated because these people are trying to take advantage of me." He mentioned that he had been paid $30 million for the performance but that he had given back "all the money." When he eventually came on stage in a suit, he dressed down his drummer at one point, and raised more eyebrows when he said the pope had contacted him and said he -- the pope -- was no longer going to hold audiences with people because he couldn't attract the number of people "that James Brown could." Calls to the Blue Note's local and New York corporate offices for a response were not returned.
Wednesday, January 03, 2001 Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal COLUMN: NORM!
- bill 1-10-2001 3:37 pm
Papa's got a brand new bag.
- mark 1-11-2001 10:22 am [add a comment]
I also saw a show by James Brown, this one was in Sparks, Nevada. James Brown was a big part of my life in the 6o's and 70's. His performance in Sparks was very mediocre in my opinion. Here was a big ball room filled with people just waiting for the "Good old Feeling" that only James Brown could give us, but he chose not to... Out of numerous songs in his 1 1/2 hour performance he did not finish a single one. He started to sing one, then either gave a solo to one of his band members or gave the stage to some Cheerleader look and act alike, who was on stage slinging her hair around and doing semi aerobic stuff in short shorts. This did not fit in the concert, later on she was identified as a Rap singer from Barcelona, Spain, she did her thing for a while and it did not fit in with the concert. Another person who did not fit was a female singer who performed a Janis Joplin song, at best she was mediocre, sounding like she had Country and Western roots. Now, where did she come from I ask? People where leaving early and those of us who did not, still waiting for "The feeling" whish we had. As we walked out, somewhat dissapointed, we passed by the Black Jack tables. Behind several guards, there he was, none other than James Brown. We as well as several other fans, stood by the sidelines hoping for some sign of recognition, maybe a wave from the man. However he did not as much as glance at any of us. Is there something wrong with this picture, or is this just me?
- anonymous (guest) 1-23-2001 9:08 pm [add a comment]
The question is: too much PCP, or not enough?
- alex 1-24-2001 12:40 am [add a comment]
Didn't realise he had a rep for screwing up shows bad as Sly Stone. But I have seen some great performances on videotape so we know he's got it in him. Anyone familar with Baby Huey ? hot! hot! hot! (dead though).
- bill 1-24-2001 8:35 pm [add a comment]