Chuck Brown - R.I.P.

Courtesy Washington City Paper

Chuck Brown was a local DC legend, a.k.a. "The Godfather of Go-Go". Maybe not a national artist, but one who was revered in DC, and he was a point of pride for black Washingtonians. According to the Washington Post, local radio personality Donnie Simpson described him as "like the Washington Monument. He was like Ben's Chili Bowl. He was the big chair. He was all of that. Chuck Brown was Washington DC."


Brown lived in Brandywine, MD, in the suburbs of DC. He died on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Hospital of multiple organ failure including heart failure or heart problems. He was 75 years old. Several weeks prior to his death, he had postponed and canceled shows due to hospitalization for pneumonia.  He had energy, style, and flair; and he will be missed.

Nekos Brown
Courtesy Chicago Rush/AFL

So what is the Hokie connection, and why am I talking about him in this blog? Well, there are actually two connections: his sons, Nekos and Wiley Brown. He is also survived by his wife and the boys' mother, Jocelyn Brown. Nekos played defensive end and linebacker for the Hokies from 2006-2009, starting in the 2009 Orange Bowl against Cincinnati. He now plays Arena Football for the Chicago Rush. 

Wiley Brown
Courtesy HokieSports.com

His brother Wiley currently plays outside linebacker for the Hokies, with emphasis on special teams.  He played 10 games for Duquesne in 2008. He then transferred to VT and sat out the 2009 season, per NCAA transfer rules.  He played in all Hokie football games in 2010 and 2011, and will be finishing up his career with the Hokies this year, 2012. Coming from a fan who usually ends up watching games from the end zone, I can say that Wiley is a tireless package of energy during special teams play, especially kick-offs. He fires his team up, and he fires the fans up.


Chuck Brown scheduled concerts and other appearances around the Hokies' home football schedule to ensure that he would never miss one of his sons' games, and he became a fixture at Lane Stadium. Following the Virginia Tech massacre, Brown stated in an interview that he was "absolutely devastated" by the tragedy, and cried every day for two weeks. In shows that followed, Brown would pause for a moment in prayer for the victims and their families before beginning his performance, and dedicated several shows to their memory.


As a father and as a Hokie, I couldn't be prouder of being associated with such a man, even if only in a peripheral way.  So here's to you, Chuck Brown!  May God hold you ever-so-close to him in your new life in eternity, as you serenade Him and the rest of the saints in Heaven.

Chuck Brown - Courtesy todaysthv.com

"Go-Go" Hokies. Go-Go.