James Brown takes control as fans rush the stage. Live at the Boston Garden. April 5, 1968.
James Brown takes control as fans rush the stage in the live concert at the Boston Garden, April 5, 1968.
In the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination on April 4, 1968, rioting broke out in cities across the country. James Brown had been scheduled to perform at the Boston Garden on April 5th. Boston Mayor Kevin White had initially wanted to cancel all public events, including James Brown's show. As there was concern that the cancellation of the show might cause an escalation of the crisis. it was agreed that James Brown's show would go on. The show, one of the greatest in Boston's history, went on and the city of Boston remained relatively calm. James Brown consoled his mourning audience, dedicated the show to the memory of Dr. King and was instrumental in keeping the peace on the streets of Boston. This concert became known as " The Night James Brown Saved Boston"
Fans rushed the stage in the middle of live performance and the police moved onstage to remove them. James Brown stood between the police and the stage crashers and immediately took control of what could have been a riotous moment in light of the raw emotions of the Black community and the tenuous relationship with the police. James Brown addresses the audience asking if he can finish the show, with the infamous words, "We are Black. Don't make us all look bad." He was asking for "respect from my own people."
Video transcript:
[Instrumental Music]
James Brown: When you touch me. When you touch me good God. I can't stand it. Can't stand it. I can't stand your love good God. Wait a minute. I'm all right. I'll be alright, I'll be fine. I'll be alright. I'm alright. I'm alright. What you're gonna do? You wanna dance? Dance. Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. That's alright, that's alright, that's alright. It's alright. Thank you very much.
Fan: Hey you are my man baby.
James Brown: Wait up. Wait a minute, wait a minute. Let me finish the show. Wait a minute. Let me finish the show for everybody alright. Okay let me finish for everybody.
Fans: Fine James.
James Brown: Okay. Alright let me finish the show now come on. Thank you very much. Thank you. Wait a minute now we gotta show for you young men and young ladies. Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait. Now wait a minute, wait, wait. Ladies and gentlemen wait a minute. Ladies and gentlemen. Can I please have your attention? Wait a minute, wait, wait. This was no wait. We are black. We are black. Now wait a minute. Wait a minute. Get back down and lets finish the show together. We're black. Don't mess this all baby. Come on fans I'm doing a show. Come off the stage. Sit down son. Get down there. Get down there. Billy Jone. Wait a minute, wait a minute. Wait a minute son. Wait a minute. Now why, why are you up here? Do you wanna see the show?
Fan: Yeah.
James Brown: But why don't you get down son and let me do the show. No that's wrong no, no. That's wrong. You're making an...You're not being fan to yourself and me either. You're not being fan yourself and me at all your waste. Now I ask the ponies to step back because I think I could get some respect from my own people. That make sense and now I wouldn't get their way.
Audience: Yeah.
James Brown: Give the fan man.
[Instrumental Music]
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