chuck brown.reporter: that is just one of the gentlemen who will be performing here today in just a few moments inside the convention center. i've got to tell you since we've been covering the passing and the celebration of chuck brown's life, i've heard so many wonderful stories about how he loved his fans and each and every one it seems has a picture with chuck brown. i'm told he carved out 30 minutes out of every single performance, even up until the last and final performances of his life just so he could sit with people, take some pictures, sign autographs so family members say listen, it is only fitting and appropriate that we share this final goodbye and farewell with all the fans that meant so much to chuck brown. back to you, lesli. >> if you would like to loner chuck brown's memory, his family asked that donations be made to the chuck brown foundation. the foundation is currently a maryland nonstock corporation but it's in the process of applying for federal nonprofit status. >>> it is a

chuck brown figured out a way to do go-go for grown ups. f introducing chuck on stage at the safeway barbecue battle a couple years ago. we chatted back stage. he was humble, gracious and owned that crowd from the very first note. pretty amazing stuff. but remember, the feeling was mutual. chuck brown belonged to us, too. we'll be right back. [ music ♪ keep what you got until you get what you need y'all ♪ ♪you got to give a lot just to get what you need sometimes, y'all ♪ >>> income taxes are about to go up for some people in maryland. >> the house of delegates voted 70-60 today to make it happen, raising income taxes on single filers who made more than $100,000, and joint filers who make $150,000 in taxable income a year. the vote ends a special session that began on monday. governor martin o'malley will likely sign the bill into law next week. >>> president obama presented congressional leaders with a to do list today. it includes tax breaks for small companies which hire more workers, or give raises to existing employees. the conversation

and we love chuck brown because chuck brown, he was family. did everything that he could for d.c. >> and when you come behind, you know, you'll see that chuck was the go go. and go go to like washington, d.c. and like jazz is to the new orleans. like country music is to nashville, tennessee. but he's the god father of go go. and today we'll stand here for the entire council in addition to columbia to say thank you to the families for sharing a wonderful man. i know it was hard and difficult, but you shared it with so many people. and he made d.c. what they are today. >> there are so many things that people say are the nation's capital. let me tell you it may be the nation's capital, but go go is the district of columbia's music, thanks to chuck brown. >> and so many people, they have come out today, but don't you think we need to find a way to remember him forever? his music will be here forever, but we need to find a way to remember him forever. and so council members, mr. chairman, in just a few days, i'm going to send over a piece of legisla

in fact, walay tweets chuck brown, you'll be missed. also snoop daulg even tweeted. uide arngs protection to the brown family. miss you uncle chuck. donnie simpson, we lost the god foreof go-go. ben's chili bowl tweeted rest in piece to the godfather of go-go and blues legend chuck brown. he'll dearly be missed by the ali family. they tweeted this amazing picture. this is classic chuck. you always saw him just having a good time, smiling. you can see the fan behind just partying. earlier i was able to catch up with big g from the backyard band and he had this to say about chuck brown. >> chuck brown had a real big influence on me. chuck brown gave memy first show when i was 15 at the kilimanjaro. he brought me backstage. he said, come on, son. the stage is yours. you know, just practice. you know, keep positive people around you at all times. i had a problem with my voice just like because everybody made fun of my voice, and he was like, look, you have to own that. >> it's so amazing because if you know big g, not only is he big but he has great voice. aaron and eun,

from those who love chuck brown the musician and chuck brown the person.huck was 16 years old when he first met chuck brown. >> i owe a lot to him. >> reporter: thompson says they got along great from the start. both personally and professionally. thompson played in chuck's band and produced chuck's grammy nominated album. >> one of the easiest people to ever work with in the studio. >> reporter: one day after the death of the godfather of go- go, thompson says chuck the person and chuck the performer will always be with him. >> right now, i feel like he's everywhere now, you know. i got the travel size. i have him whenever i need him. >> reporter: a father figure is how thompson described chuck brown. >> he was the nicest guy you could ever meet. >> reporter: brian mills described chuck in the exact same way. >> got a lot of people off the streets working for him, playing with him. >> reporter: chuck's long time piano and soxophone player talked about living a good life as much as he did playing good music. for all that he will always be grateful. >> i le

chuck brown was coming into his own. o was born. ♪ from the country >> reporter: the godfather of go go its what the world called brown, creator of a musical genre synonymous with d.c. >> they have heard funk before. another form of funky music. a lot of percussion, response, and audience participation. >> let me hear you say oh. >> got that latin, latin, and the -- that african feel to it. >> just one more time. >> in and out of trouble with the law in his youth, brawn taught himself to play the guitar in prison. he and his go go beat became world known, landing his first, billboard number one hit in 1978 for busting loose. nomina nominated for his first grammy in 2010, at 74. through all of the albums through the constant drum beat of stardom, chuck brown never turned his back on his home, he staged a stable of events that became important to his community. he spent his time with students around the district. never forgetting how a young shoe shine boy who hung around halls, turned a dream into reality. >> i was inspire

chuck brown was my introduction into the music business. ompson went on to play in chuck's band and produced chuck's grammy nominated album. >> one of the easiest people to work with in the studio. thompson says he'll always remember chuck as an incredible performer, also an unbelievable friend and a remarkably devoted family man. >> great father, grandfather, and loving husband, you know, he loved his family. he couldn't wait to get off stage and get home. it was always good. always. ♪ [ music ] >> reporter: chuck brown was scheduled to perform here at the howard theater on june 29. derek. >> another reason to miss chuck brown, not just about the music either. thank you, matt. >>> well chuck brown received a real d.c. sendoff last night. and it was in the street. fans gathered outside to pay their respects to the man whose go-go musical genera connected everybody in the nation's capital. >> we lost a great one. its legacy, i love chuck brown. i have been listening to him all my life. >> to party hard for him tonight. he really would tell th

chuck brown died at the age of 75 after a battle with pneumonia. n may not have been born in the district but he certainly made d.c. his home. danella, good morning to you. >> good morning. big g., i want to thank you for joining us today. as an artist, backyard band, talk about the influence that chuck brown had on you. >> he had a real big influence on me. he gave memy first show when i was 15 years old at the kill a mon jar row. he would bring me backstage and say, the stage is yours. practice. keep positive people around you at all times. i had a problem with my voice because everybody made fun of my voichls he said you have to own that and run with it. so, you know, cluck was very, very instrumental in my life as a kid growing up in music and go-go. >> let me ask you about this because so often we hear artists and entertainers complain about how a lot of other artists are just rude or cutthroat. but chuck was not like that, to embrace you with open arms, right? >> yes, yes. he had nothing like that. chuck was like, okay, everybody, i'm doing wh

radio station. ♪ chuck brown's live concerts were a family affair. ations turned out to hear chuck. >> he embody. who we are, what we do. >> he is the true definition of d.c. culture. >> of course you're from doctoring, have to be a chuck brown fan. >> how do you feel? >> well -- just like if -- right now because right now, i'm just enjoying every minute of -- of being on this planet. >> reporter: probably don't even have a permit for this and no idea how long this is going to go on but it's the chuck brown, you really don't need a permit. somebody once said that chuck brown is to d.c. what elvis is to memphis. back to you in the studio. >>> it is time for the latest your money report. of the morning. as we change gears a bit. >> and jessica doyle has the headlines, i have to say i didn't see this one coming. i didn't see him live. so, so vibrant. >> we were talking about this during bruce's story. i mean it would be awesome if there was an outbreak of tribute fans that came out for the passing because we'd love to go celebrate his music. >> talked tu

everybody is a fan of chuck brown.e worked with jill scott. >> what did he mean to you personally as a d j.? >> he ad h. an ini had cent influence on me. wouldn't be doing what i'm doing. i remember my first time ever seeing chuck brown was at a club in the mid-80s and it was crazy. i've never seen anything like that. the people were going crazy. it was amazing. it was just such an amazing experience that it lit a big fire under me to want to be really in the music that hard. >> for people who haven't been to one of his shows and i was luck y enough to do that once, it is incredible. one of his friends told us, even in japan, he those the words to the songs. >> the thing in japan, they don't speak any english but they know all the words to all his songs. chuck did a few tours over there in japan and one of the things i love about chuck that's comes on to the stage and he just tunes his guitar. he just winds up a little bit. nobody introduces him. he just sits there and he does his thing. when the crowd starts chanting,

she loved chuck brown.hen later on in the day i thought well n a way a family member did pass away. he was so special to all of us. >> right >> been around so long. >> feels like just woven into the fabric of the city and beyond. >> more to come later. >> i don't think we can help it. >> i brought in my chuck brown bobble head as i said earlier that is the coolness. if you have a bobble head, you are cool. >> love it. >> keep nit the package it is worth more money. >> as if i would get rid of it. >> weather wise. >>> perfect next couple days lots of sunshine, low humidity, just bright sunshine through the weekend. >> cold front came through last night, between about midnight and 3:00 a.m., and didn't notice much difference, we didn't get any rain showers with it but did get cooler air now working in on these nice breezes out of the north and northwest. 65 washington off to the north, 60s. 65 gaithersburg, 54 agreed rick, 52 winchester, -- frederick, 52 winchester, warmer south and east. cooler air hasn't qu

s own, chuck brown, the godfather of go go. t know if you've heard, but he's been hospitalized for some time now. >> d.j., christina gray, was asking for prayers for chuck. >> it's huge. i mean, it's just amazing the impact that he has had on this area and society. nothing but love for chuck brown. >> one of chuck brown's daughters broke the family silence, confirming to a washington post reporter only that her father has pneumonia. chuck entered johns hopkins, originally complaining of arthritis. doctors discovered and removed more serious blood clots from his legs. he contracted pneumonia while in intensive care at the hospital. that's part of my last interview with chuck brown from last year when he was nominated for a grammy. >>> the george washington national cathedral is honoring rosa parks. it's preparing to dedicate a new carving of parks. that carving will be formally installed thursday. the ceremony and evening prayer songs. parks refusal to give up her bus seat is often sited as the start of the movement against segre

we thank this great city for loving chuck brown. ease keep the family in your prayers. >> reporter: love, the community affairs director at cbs radio d.c. says she is not focusing on brown's last days before he died, but all the wonderful days he lived. >> i'm very thankful that chuck was in our lives and the bottom line is, that heaven has an angel and they are going go- go in heaven. >> doing go-go in heaven. funeral arrangements for chuck brown are not yet complete. there was an impromptu vigil at the howard theater. we'll have that part of the story at 11:00, shaun. >>> we are here in the web center where you can go to myfoxdc.com. you will find a picture. you will find videos and also find several interviews that i did with chuck brown in recent years. i enjoyed sitting down with him. he was so full of life, so full of energy. he loved talking about his family, his incredible career and his first grammy nomination . ♪ [ music ] >> reporter: for five decades, chuck brown gave his fans his all. a genera of music he created in the

as they loved chuck brown. please keep the family in your prayers. lease remember he was more than go-go. he was a family man. >> he made you feel like you were part of the family and it was wonderful. >> reporter: in 2005, brown was named a national heritage fellow by the national foundation for the arts. but again, he is being remembered not only as a music ledge end but as a man would loved his music and his family and his community even more. >> all right. thank you. >>> by the way, we have posted lots of stories and photos of chuck brown on our web site. we want to hear from you. log onto myfoxdc.com and share your stories with us as well. >>> also making headlines this morning, another tragic death is making headlines. this one a member of a prominent political family. mary richardson kennedy, the estranged wife of robert f. kennedy, jr. was found dead yesterday at her home just north of new york city. so far, the cause of death has not been released but an autopsy is planned for today. kennedy had battle

we thank this great city for loving chuck brown as much as they loved chuck brown.lease keep the family in your prayers. >> reporter: both of brown's sons played football at virginia tech. chuck would schedule his concerts around their games. it is that love of people that set brown apart. >> he made you feel like you were engaged and you were a part of his family and i loved you for that and it was wonderful. go-go and chuck brown, he truly was godfather of go-go. go-go. >> reporter: and chuck brown was hospitalized on april 18th for knew mope i can't. he was supposed to perform here april 21st at the howard theater just celebrating its grand reopening and then there was a concert rescheduled for later in june, june 29th to be exact. it was a sold-out show. right now, you can see behind me that the howard theater has a lot of pictures scrolling on the marquee and on the web site, it says the event has been postponed. >> thank you, melanie. >>> we have extensive coverage of chuck brown here all morning and on our web site. plenty of photos and stories including from

tell me what chuck's impact is on his legacy. >> chuck brown is an institution. he means a lot to d.c. d.c.'s music. d.c.'s heart and soul. we will love for ever and miss chuck. >> thank you very, very much. my favorite definition came from suzanne who said art is the objectification of a subjective reality. chuck brown dug into that reality deep into himself, subjective reality that had never been objectived before. gentleman, thank you very, very much. back to you in the studio. >> thank you so much, gary. if you can sum it up in one word, chuck brown, thank you. >>> in the last hour, we have received a statement from chuck brown's manager. it reads in part, his family continues to be grateful for the outpouring of love and support and request respect for their privacy. chuck brown, the godfather of go-go in d.c. was 75 years old. >>> a 9news investigation into federal bonuses could result in a congressional hearing. our reports have been controversial because the data bank we use is public information and online, in fact, we have it on our website, wusa9.com. i

the washington region is remembering the life of chuck brown. he died yesterday. ever ending beat was perfected by brown and turned into go-go music because -- it keeps going and going. brown was a legend in our area playing live concerts until he became sick with pneumonia earlier this year. he was 75 years olds. >> just can't help but smile when you hear that music. mayor vincent gray released a statement thanking brown for putting d.c. on the music map, quote he said -- >> with more on his legendary contributions, delia goncalves is live at the wpgc studios in maryland where they'll have plenty of chuck brown on the play list today. delia? >> reporter: absolutely. lots of chuck brown and lots of memories. we're having fun here with free and tony reds. we've been talking about -- our memories of chuck brown. even if you're a local or you're a transplant like free and myself are. but taking a lot of phone calls from listeners and from fans. and surprisingly lot of young folks. >> 12 years old. a young man named malcolm just called and said when he and his dad are

chuck brown dies at 75. he began performing in the 960s. in the 70s, d.c. had its own precushion driven sound called go-go. chuck's biggest hit soared up the r and b charts in 1978, but it remained a hit and today you can hear it played on every d.c. radio station. live concerts were family affairs. four generations turned out to hear chuck. if you are new to the area, you may know chuck from d.c. lottery commercials. you know, i talked to chuck last year when he and joe scott were nominated for the first grammy ever. here's what chuck had to say, derek. ♪ [ music ] >> reporter: for 49 years, he's been a musical icon in the area. chuck brown fans will be busting loose all over on sunday night as he wins his first grammy. >> you got a grammy nomination? >> unbelievable. >> reporter: he has been performing live since 1962, outlasting james brown, sam cook, even the beetles. he'll be 75 years old in august with no plans of letting up. >> well you know, i still got the desire. i still have fire. still getting hired. i haven't been fired, so why would one retire?

chuck brown was born in north carolina in 1936.e taught himself how to play guitar after a stint in lorton reformatory. in the early 1960's, he played guitar with jerry butler and the earls of rhythm. in 1966 he formed chuck brown and the soul searchers. he developed go-go music in the early '70s. his first hit was "we the people" in 1971. it would take seven more years before he became naptionly known -- nationally known with the release of "busting loose ." that was on the number one chart for four consecutive weeks. the influence of go-go can be heard in today's music and chuck brown will always reign as the godfather of go-go. >>> right now on our website wusa9.com, you can learn more about today's viewing and also thursday's funeral for chuck brown. and you could also see our chuck brown photo gallery and see when the backyard band visited 9news now and played a tribute. just search chuck brown on our home page. ♪ brother can love another ♪ people can love each other ♪ >>> i'm one on one with edgar brootins, general manager of

on chuck brown. i have been here over 30 years. so i said chuck, can i do a profile? he said of course. nobody asked to talk to me. we stood on u street. you can see some of the shots. people wanting a hug from him. chuck is the man. he started out, he went to lorton. that's where he got a chance to get his life together. he learned to play guitar, he got some education. he started this go go thing, except for busting loose, didn't go much further than d.c., but everybody samples their work. but chuck brown, you know, we love him and i got to show you this piece we did, derek, six years ago on chuck brown. that first piece that was done on him in a long time. >> when i say chuck brown, what do you think of? >> god father of soul. >> i thought that was james brown? >> no, that's chuck brown. >> he's been around for years. since i was a little boy. >> okay, i'm just happy to be here. i'm pushing 70. chuck brown, the father of d.c.'s go go sounds. he entertained three different general generations. he i

chuck brown was scheduled to perform here at the howard theater on june 29. blow, 9news now. >> if you were ever lucky enough to meet chuck, you know he treated you like a long lost brother. you can see more on the life and legacy of chuck brown. just search chuck brown right at the top of our home page. ♪ [ music ] >> tonight, a lot of folks from the disco generation dusting off their old donna summer albums. she had been battling cancer, she was 63. donna summer's big hits were part of the sound track of the 70s and 80s. last dance, she works hard for the money, so many songs. today, her long time friend said it is a disgrace for donna summer has been inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame. >>> a virginia tech student is doing some research on tornadoes that has the experts rethinking a long held belief. these experts believe tornadoes break up and weaken as they hit mountain ridge, but katherine doesn't buy it. her research says tornadoes become long and tight as they drop down a mountainside. they spin faster and get meaner. >> the biggest goal of my

by the early '70s chuck brown was coming into his own and go-go was born. e godfather of go-go what the world came to call brown, creator of a musical genre that became synonymous with d.c. brown described it as jazz infused funk music with latin and african flairs driven by percussian and accented with his signature call in response. in and out of trouble with the law in his youth brown taught himself to play the guitar in prison. he and his go-go beat became world known landing his first billboard number one hit in 1978 with "busting loose." he was nominated for his first grammy in 2010 at the age of 74. >> like i said u. when i hit that stage, you know, if i am on the right page i'm becoming a rage and forget about my age. >> reporter: through all the albums through the constant drum beat of stardom chuck brown never turned his back on his home. he stayed a staple of d.c. events that became important to his community. he spent his time with students around the district never forgetting how a young shoe shine boy who hung around music halls turned a dream

." >> a live look from the convention center for the funeral service for chuck brown about to begin any minute now. lining up to say their goodbyes to the man known as the godfather of go-go. many big names are attending today's memorial service. john? >> there are more than 14,000 people inside for this special memorial service. pretty much all of the seats are taken. this is the program they are handing out at the door for the thousands of fans to say goodbye to the godfather of go-go. each fan has a special story. hundreds of people started lining up well before the road were blocked and before the doors were opened. >> chuck brown was wonderful. he was such a legacy. >> inside, mourners are greeted by a montage as they walk by and the casket. >> 1986 my wife for graduating and chuck brown was doing a live report from the hotel room. i left my wife in the hotel. >> many fans had a chance to meet the 75-year-old godfather of go-go. today, those here are adopting this day as chuck brown day. >> he never turns you down. >> i used to sneak in the theater on the side of the building and w

chuck brown refused to leave till he signed everyone's autograph. so they were really thrilled, you know, that chuck was back, you know. he was going to be here forever and he was going to be taking care of his fans. >> reporter: in many ways he is gone but still here forever and still taking care of his fans. so this we had said is a fitting tribute. wee have liked this day to kind of allow all his fans to come and say their final goodbye. >> absolutely. i think we're going to be measuring chuck's impact and his influence for years to come. generations to come from now. >> reporter: natalie, thanks so much for your input and your advice all morning long. thank you so much. again a very large crowd expected. everyone is encouraging folks who are coming down to take metro because lots of streets in this area are shut down. back to you. >> delia goncalves live outside the howard theater in northwest washington this morning. >>> our time right now is 6:40. in nine minutes, the skydiving misadventure of a california woman. at least she lived to tell the

chuck brown's family is hosting in viewing we have new video we are showing you of the brown family arrivingt the howard theatre within the past half hour. now, a reminder if you plan to go down to the theater, that metro is really your best bet there, several streets around the theatre are closed and parking of course is limited in that area. >>> well, whether you are a fan or friend, everyone wants the opportunity to say their final goodbyes, to chuck brown. joining us live now from the howard theatre northwest dc, d floyd, who played with chuck brown for many years. good morning to you. >> hey, good morning. >> you are there, the band got a special opportunity earlier, it is only fitting that you all come in and you say goodbye to chuck first before the fans, that starts a little later at 10. can you tell me how you are feeling knowing you are going into the howard with chuck brown for the last time. >> you know very nervous, you know, we've dealt with the news of his passing and you know, we still haven't seen him and that is always a whole different level of emotions, he was so inspirat

chuck brown's death hit us hard in the sports department. he loved the station here. uck was so proud of him. >> my dream was when i grew up i want my kids to have every opportunity that i did not have. i want you to read from college. >> he said it is a feeling, a vibe you cannot describe. i hope you have a chance to see your entire -- the entire story with chuck brown. he was 75 and i know you guys talked about him earlier in the show. he will be messed missed. >> we will ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] everyone likes a bit of order in their life. virtual wawallet helps yoyou get it. keep track of spending move money with a slide and u the calendar. all to see yr money how you want. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] it's one thing... to have created an icon and quite another to have done it generation after generation. to the long line of legendary mercedes-benz sl roadsters... ♪ ♪ the 2013 sl. >> we are in the first week of the giveaway. you can enter once each day. you will automatically be entered two more times if you share. that person will have 30 minutes to call in an

we thank this great city for loving chuck brown as much as they loved chuck brown.lease keep the family in your prayers. please remember he was more than go-go. he was a family man. >> both of his sons played football at virginia tech. he was would schedule his concert appearances and other engagements around their home games. after the tragedy, many concerts included a moment of prayer for the victims. it's that love of people that justine love says set brown apart. >> he made you feel like you were engaged and you are a part of his family and he loved you for that. it was wonderful. >> reporter: love has known brown for years. he sang at her high school prom. when she hears his songs, she's on her feet. >> he truly was the godfather of go-go. >>> last september, the national symphony orchestra paid tributes. and chuck was honored. brown and his band performed on the west lawn of the capitol, which was the highlight of the evening. funeral arrangements for chuck brown have not yet been announced. brian. >> d.c. council member has known chuck brown for decades. call

i through up on chuck brown. -- i grew up on chuck brown. >> reporter: one of the really cool things about chuck brown was his ability to bring people together from all over the place, whites, african americans, asians. he played the go go clubs and he played the kennedy center. his funeral will be here in perhaps the most establishment of spots, the d.c. convention have, but there's a certain amount of secrecy involved. we hear rumors of big stars coming, some of them speaking perhaps, but we don't have any details on that. in fact, we don't have any details on which hall the funeral will be held in, but we do know this. once again we're expecting big crowds and the recommendation is that you take metro. we're going to be broadcasting it live on air and online. at the d.c. convention center, bruce leshan, 9 news now. >> we've also set up a chuck brown tribute page on facebook and we invite you to visit. leave your comments. the site facebook.com/ripgodfatherofgogo >>> already there's a bit of controversy about people making money off chuck brown's image. chick high who has taken hun

chuck brown. this is the beginning of a long good-bye for chuck. fans are snaking their way past his open casket down at the howard theater. for many, this is not a sad occasion. this is rather a time to celebrate the legacy of an artist who brought the city together for a long time. bruce johnson is live at the howard theater with more on the event still going on tonight. bruce. >> hey derek. we are outside the howard theater. a thinner crowd than we've seen for much of the day. these are people getting off work, dropping by. people were able to find parking places. they are at a premium. in the mid afternoon, most part it has been a festive-like atmosphere out here. this view is supposed to go on until 10:00 tonight. it will go on longer. it is public. it is open to everybody. no cameras inside. i'll give you a glimpse of what it's been like around here. is this a viewing unlike anything you've ever seen in this town. >> within the hour, the street in front of the howard theater has become a carnival and chuck brown, father of go-go, would have w

i was talking to jim brown about chuck brown, and we pointed out that chuck brown was one of the few go-go artists that could perform anywhere, not have anyot rut -- ruckus, nothing. other day, they were doing a movie or something about his life, but he's an institution, he's a legend, and in fact, chuck brown was the only one had a gave me a run for the money in terms of legend. >> chuck brown's go-go will bewi playing -- >> and the children, and his family. i have deepest condolences andco prayers to them. >> we concur. thank you for coming in. >>> now taxes are going up for many residents.nt for people making over $100,000, we have why this wasn't exactly a rubber stamp, we thought it was a done deal from the start. >> reporter: the actual tax increase bill just passed 77-60s which means just about a dozen democrats defected to the republican side, but it still passed. what does this mean? if you live in maryland and make over $100,000, you'll see anl se increase in your tax bill, and county governments will start sharing half in teacher pension costs. >> do we have a revenue prob

and one government source today predicted up to 15,000 could turn out for chuck brown's funeral at thevention center. >> you had louis armstrong, he transcends jazz. you have bob marley who develops a genre and transcends that. now you have chuck brown who develops is genera and transcends that. >> reporter: wayne bruce is music director for tomorrow, paying homage to chuck brown will be a host of local stars like sugar bear, donny simpson. the chuck brown bands will also perform. >> his depth should change some lives, should change some people's mindsets when it comes totemsic business. >> reporter: tomorrow for chuck brown's funeral tell me this town has never seen the type of musical sendoff that we're going to see tomorrow. add to that the fact that much of the world still doesn't know much about go-go music and tomorrow could be one for the history books. >> gospel, jazz, blues, go-go. and especially go-go will send chuck off. in a manner that's fitting of a king. >> reporter: doors open at 10:00. the funeral is set to begin two hours later after 14,500 people have entered the doo

rest in peace chuck brown.e love you. >> our coverage continues online and at wusa9.com, you can learn more about how go-go music began and you can also read about brown's legacy. and we also have a photo gallery of chuck brown. through the years, and we would like for you to share your thoughts by visiting our facebook page. >>> an autopsy is being performed to determine exactly how mary candidid. the estranged wife of -- kennedy died. the estranged wife of only f. kennedy was found dead in her new york home yesterday. she battled addictions in the past and she and her husband were in the middle of a divorce. he's the son of senator robert f. kennedy. friends and neighbors are in shock. >> so there's a great sadness about this. a great sadness about this. it really is. because she had a lot of friends here. she has a lot of friends here. still. >> mary kennedy was 52 years old. she leaves behind four children. >>> later today, we could learn the identity of a man found shot inside a car in fairfax county. he d

. >>> that's chuck brown of course. busing loose one of his most popular -- busting loose one of his most popular songs. he passed away after a battle with pneumonia. he had a one of a kind sound that helped define dc life and culture. his live performances were a thing of legend. here is a look at chuck brown, in northwest where he was scheduled to play in april, but had to rescued july due to illness. -- reschedule due to illness. >> even if he was 95 there would be a loss of a family member for folk who is are fans of his music because of the way he was. just a humble guy, so he is a guy you could approach. >>> funeral arrangements are still being worked out. tony over to you. >>> thank you very much. chuck brown of course worked

radio station. ♪ chuck brown's live concerts were a family affair. generations turned out to hear chuck. >> he ohm boyed what we are, who we are, what we do. >> he is the true definition of d.c. culture. >> if you're from d.c. you have to be a chuck brown fan. >> how? >> right now because right now, i'm just enjoying every minute of -- of being on this planet. >> reporter: probably don't even have a permit for this and no idea how long it's going to go on but it's chuck brown, you really don't need a permit. somebody said that chuck brown is to d.c. what elvis is to memphis. back to you in the studio. >> as we mourn the loss of chuck brown we want to know what your favorite memories are of the god father of go to. >> the comments are pouring in on wusa9's facebook page. tracy ellis wrote -- map >> lisa johnson edwards wrote -- >> jessica brown wrote -- a lot of people in the newsroom said the same thing. c. c. carter wrote -- >> and one wrote -- ♪ >> facebook fan page, wusa9 facebook fan page, continue the share your memories -- to share your memorie

but record artists over the years know chuck brown. 75 chuck brown has been absent from the stage forearly for months. his band recently performed in his absence prompting rumors of his death throughout the internet. he's still being treated in the intensive care unit at johns hopkins university hospital in baltimore. his manager and and a family member would only confirm he's still hospitalized and they continue to ask his fans to pray for him. >> we are sharing our love for d.c.'s own chuck brown, the godfather of go go. i don't know tough' heard but he's been hospitalized for some time now. >> reporter: whur-fmdj triscina gray was asking for prayers. >> it's amazing the impact he's had on this area and society. nothing but love. >> reporter: one of his family members confirmed to a "washington post" reporter only that her father has iew known ya -- has pneumonia. he entered johns hopkins originally complaining of arthritis but doctors discovered and removed more serious blood clots from his legs. he contracted the pneumonia while in intensive care in the hospital. as part of my las

january. >>> thousands of people said their final good-byes to go-go legend chuck brown. his family held a public viewing he howard theater yesterday where he was scheduled to play his next gig before he died may 16th. huge crowds turned out to pay their respects. some people turned this into a celebration of his life. fans threw a block party reminiscing about the performer. >> his greatest legacy is how much he loved doing what he did and sharing it with his audience. >> the public memorial service for chuck brown is thursday at the washington convention center from noon until 3:00. it is expected to be well attended. the city is urging you to take public transportation. l street from sevenning on the to ninth streets will be closed all day long. stay with fox 5 as d.c. days good-bye to the godfather of go- go. in our 9:00 hour, some of chuck brown's band mates will be in the studio to tell us what he meant to them plus the influence he had on their work. we are having continuing coverage all week both on air and online, myfoxdc.com. >>> we are following new development

wusa9.com is always on. >>> tonight though, we'll leave you with two of our favorite moments from chuck brown'suneral, first the montage in his honor and then a portion of the tribute, sung by brown's own brother. good night. ♪[ music ]

all morning we have been sharing your thoughts and your memories about chuck brown. sharon posted this on our facebook fan page. i am riding and chuck is cranking in everybody's car. beautiful thing, windows half rolled down like a summer block party this morning. >> how about this from e bag di, maryland is known for crabs virginia for lovers washington dc has chuck brown. thank you for all of the great memories. we have extensive coverage of chuck brown on our website myfoxdc.com. there is plenty of photos and stories including from his manager and city leaders. >>> other stories making headlines a homicide investigation in virginia, a man was mysteriously found shot in his car late last night. police were called to the intersection of san leonardo place and mendosia in mount vernon area before midnight. crime scene investigators are on the scene this morning. the 47-year-old man was sitting in his car with shot wounds to his upper body he died at hospital and is not identified. >> an autopsy planned on the body of mary kennedy. the mother of four was found dead at

our chuck brown. >> brown's family is holding a public viewing at the howard theatre where melanie alnwicko expect from the tribute. good morning. >> reporter: good morning tony. you know, i think this is the moment for fans and family of chuck brown, this all becomes real. we've got fans lined up outside the howard theatre here. not to get inside for one of his legendary performances but to file past his casket, and say thanks for the good times. the hearse arrived 6:00 a.m. this morning, and just like a seasoned performer chuck brown's casket slipped in the side door before his final appearance on stage, brown was scheduled to play a sold out show at the howard on april 21st but fell ill days before that. fans have been leaving tokens of appreciation on chuck brown way, a street not far from here where he shined shoes as a kid. now fans will have the opportunity to pay quiet respect to the young man whose dreams actually came true. >> he was the face of a sound, of music, that you know took hold probably late 70s early 80s and prevalent for the last 30 something years and it has gone nat

music legend chuck brown. fox 5's melanie alwin is live outside the convention center in northwest with all the details. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. yes, the crews from the d.c. department of transportation have arrived and that is sort of the noise you hear behind me here as they are starting to block off the street here right at ninth and l putting up these barricades here. as you can imagine, so many people expected to come down here. if tuesday's viewing was any indication, it is expected to be a packed house, quite a crowd that is going to come down here to the convention center for one final sendoff to chuck brown. the 75-year-old died may 17th from come indications of pneumonia after a lengthy hospital stay. he was a performer to the send. fans remember him for his spirit and his endurance. he adopted the term go-go for his music because he said it just goes on and on. the good-bye for him as gone on as watch fitting sendoff in chuck brown style. first, crowds packed into the howard theater

>> reporter: go go radio.com on the internet is playing chuck brown 24/7.-jay swag and rico teaming up for enter avenue radio. >> today it is all about the -- interactive radio. >> today it is all about the godfather chuck brown. >> reporter: fans calling in with their feelings, the calls and remembrances between the classic driving percussion of the go go beat that was undisputablely chuck brown's own and you can't listen to the music without dancing to it. 40 years after the godfather created go go callers looked back on his legacy. >> this is all the rest of the day i want to listen to this. i hope i don't get fired. >> reporter: nico is the co- owner of go go crop said chuck brown's creation was not just about the beat and the music. >> all the bans come off his style. so we -- bands come off his style. so we here are just celebrating him as we would any other. he is our michael jackson basically. >> reporter: chuck brown may have been 75, but the music kept him young. he had been scheduled to appear at the howard theater in april and at blues alley lat

thanks to chuck brown. >> there were lives of performers. of them that had played with chuck. ♪ [ music ] ♪ even if my words don't come together. ♪ >> and my top father was on up there with the prince and roots, and rolling stones. >> he was acknowledged worldwide. as you can see out here today, that all of washington, d.c. showed up. >> reporter: the city picked up the entire tab. in the end, it was the city that was sending off one of its favorite sons. ♪ [ music ] >> reporter: we have seen a lot of sendoffs in this nation's capital. this is by far the best send off that we have ever seen. as some guy said to me on the way out, he said bruce, there are a lot of people in there with a lot of money and a lot of people in there with no money. that's the kind of bruce that came together. to send off chuck brown and the face of the program. chuck brown, god father of the go go, august 22, 1936, may 16, 2012. rock on, chuck. back to you. >> oh, we're going to miss him a lot. chuck brown. bruce johnson, we thank you for that. for those of you who

music legend chuck brown. >> today, brown's family is hold august public viewing at the new howard theater. that is where melanie alnwick is live with the details on what you can expect from today's tribute. good morning. >> good morning. >> reporter: this public viewing begins at 11:00 this morning. inside the howard theater, a very different kind of booking for chuck brown. just a short time ago, the horse arrived, a white hearse. it was carrying the casket of chuck brown and just like any long-time seasoned performer, the casket made its entrance through the side door. it was covered if protective blankets but underneath, we could see it was a shiny silver and tan casket. the godfather of go-go was supposed to rock the house here on april 21st but he fell ill shortly before that sold-out show. since his death, fans have been leaving small remembrances. today, the formal farewell begins. a hushed crowd will be able to walk past brown's iconic hat, his guitar, now sile enand a fete owe montage with recorded music. quite a contrast to what fans had expected from a chuck brown performance.

it was a check brown block party. >> i love chuck.will rest in peace. >> t-shirts buttons, and posters of the man they say is just as much a legend as the late king of pop. a public memorial is scheduled from noon until 3:00 at the convention center. all the information is that our web site. >> also new at 11:00 tonight the d.c. public library is in the process of honoring chuck brown's legacy. they are asking for your help to create a archive. they are looking for video concert ticket stubs or other go-go memorabilia. >> let's get back to our store from culpeper, virginia where a police officer has been charged with murder. we of the late breaking developments at this hour. >> this press conference wrapped up a while ago. daniel harmon is now suspended without pay in an indictment for him today. he is in jail facing very serious charges. >> account number one, murder. >> he faces four total charges. original reports said he was trapped in her jeep window and was being dragged when he shot and killed her. witnesses say was not true. >

. >>> still to come on 9news plans are finalized to say good- bye to the late great chuck brown. we'll tell you what you need to know in order to pay your final respects in person. >> but first space history is made as the first private spacecraft docks with the international space station. >>> with no nasa shuttles in operation anymore, it was a privately owned spacecraft that docked with the international space station today. yes, that is a first. the unmanned cargo ship is called the dragon built in california by a firm called spacex. this morning it hooked up with the space station to deliver supplies after years of work and anticipation spacex having reason to celebrate. >> i don't have words enough to express the level of excitement and elation that we feel here at spacex. there's so much that could have gone wrong and it went right. >> for now spacex is only in the supply delivery business, but one day they may carry passengers up there. engineers are working on plans to allow the spacecraft to carry seven people into orbit. >>> the memorial day weekend is off to a great s

several bands will be taking the stage today including the chuck brown band. the thousands of fans that we all saw lined up outside of howard theatre on tuesday will be in for quite a spectacular show. though brown's passing is certainly the end after chapter here in the district, folks have been celebrating his life's work and contribution to the city and today will certainly be no exception. >> you had louie armstrong transcends jazz. you have bob marli who developed a genre and transcends that. now you have chuck brown who develops a genre and transcends that. gospel, jazz, blues, go go. and especially go go will send chuck off in a manner that's fitting of a king. >> reporter: a sendoff fitting for a king. to many he certainly was that kind of king to them here in the district of columbia. now that the godfather of go go is gone, though, there is a brand new and pretty heavy challenge facing the local go go bands. we'll have more on that part of the story coming up at 5:30. back to you. >> delia goncalves live outside the d.c. washington convention center.

take the rest of the night in honor of chuck brown. you're in the right place down there. >> reporter: i know it. >>> still to come on 9news now tonight, it's one of the deadliest tornadoes on record. now another distinction for that monster storm that devastated a missouri town a year ago. >>> terrifying moments for passengers aboard a plane bound for las vegas. you'll hear from them. >> it is a mild saturday night. great for celebrating. a lot of folks are heading out for the post-preakness celebrations. temperatures in the 70s. tomorrow as you're waking up lots of sunshine. temperatures in the 60s by 9:00. by 11:00 in the 70s. we do see clouds and maybe some showers on the way. we'll talk about that and the first tropical storm named for the season. stick around. 9news continues. >>> the naacp has passed a resolution endorsing same-sex marriage. the historic civil rights organization announced today its board voted to back a resolution supporting marriage equality. naacp president called gay marriage, quote, a civil right and a civi

so and he was that type of individual. >> chuck brown and the soul searchers we know the name well know band well. gentlemen introduce yourselves again. >> lloyd finchback i met chuck, 44 years ago, almost to the very day, back in 68, i ran into him in southeast washington and we've been together, we acted together for ten years together after that. we branched off from there and 44th anniversary of the soul searchers. >> john buchanon, jb i got with chuck, for the first time in 1970 and when i graduated from college i walked right off that stage on to the soul searchers stage, 1971 and played with him up through 86, 16 years, he has been a mentor to me, spirit, all of our music we cowrote music together he was one heck of a musician. >> you know everyone talks about go go but the soul searchers could play anything that is one of the hallmarks of at that group. absolutely incredible. >> chuck was a visionary and he was very -- had a lot of fortitude and knew exactly what he wanted to do, and he had a sound in mind, he -- and he evolved from one point to the other and that is why he is t

chuck brown was d.c. in a farewell ceremony scheduled for stand and thursday -- for today and thursday certainly fitting for a man who did so much for d.c. we'll see 200-foot monitors with a video montage running continuously of brown's performances along with his guitar that will also be on display. the family we're told has asked in lieu of flowers that fans actually donate to his foundation. they're working on a nonprofit status right now but his foundation according to the website is geared toward helping with the homelessness and helping with folks who are trying to reintroduce themselves into site after being incarcerated. we know that was very dear to chuck brown's heart because we know that he spent some time behind bars himself as a young person and literally reinvented himself when he got out of prison. he changed his last name, used his mother's maiden name i should say and literally taught himself how to play guitar and turned to music. we're told that he actually swapped cigarettes in jail fo