October 1962 1
The entire crowd's energy was electrifying. There was no one that could take this away from us; the delectable freedom that made our heartbeats follow the music’s rhythm. No wonder we could feel our very beings tremble as the singer appeared on stage-- in front of us stood the "Godfather of soul".2
The music started and all I could see was the girls—everywhere they were dancing and screaming. I held my breath; they were just the most alluring women that I had ever seen. I couldn’t move for a second and I just stood there, watching their hips rolling, their chest heaving and the sweat rolling on their skin, making them shine in the dark. I smiled as the song ‘Bewildered’ started. How ironic, I thought.3
There was nothing in this world as soul music to get your being from overflowing with joy, I once had heard. I smiled as I made my way toward a woman that was dancing fiercely. Her body seemed on cue with the music, effortlessly. I had discovered that soul was not the only thing that could make the blood boil into my veins. I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as laid my hand in front of the girl and she gripped it, accepting my silent offer to dance.4
A new song started, its tempo just as inviting and intriguing. I held my breath once again; I felt anxious to know what it would feel like to be in her body's proximity. Her dark eyes locked themselves with mine and then it started—my body moved with hers, exactly on tempo with the furious notes of the mad ‘King of Funk’. The feeling was just right; her long legs were fast and the smile on her lips indicated me that my lead fit her moves. I smiled back; this was only the beginning of the night.5
After an hour or so, we still haven’t stopped. James Brown was like a wild animal on stage and he wouldn’t let the tempo slow down, the beat get less addictive or the song turn into a melody. My arms hurt after all the stunts we had performed, but the joy inside of me was intact. His live performance felt magical and we were all under his spell; our feet wouldn’t stop—our hearts wouldn’t stop from pounding into our chests and our excitement seemed to be endless. I smiled at the girl in my arms; the night at the Apollo would be unforgettable. 6
This concert was recorded, which was a first for James Brown, and released as an ablum that became an instantanenous hit. 7
During the same year of this release, a famous man said the unforgettable words: "I have a dream". (August 1963) 8
Forty three years later, the unfathomable King of Funk cessed to breath. (December 2006)9
Two years after his death, James Brown's fight flourished with a new hope: Barack Obama was elected. (November 2008) 10
History is never that far away...
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