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Fun facts about the album:

First time on vinyl

2 previously unheard performances

50th anniversary of the live album

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A generation later Hip-Hop artists Public Enemy and NWA were inspired by “Say It Loud,” and songs like “Fight the Power” and “F*ck tha Police” became the anthems of that generation.  “Say It Loud” still resonates as millennials faced with daily examples of police brutality against blacks and the seeming hourly erosion of the Civil Rights gains of two generations ago, are looking for their own anthems.

Mark Anthony Neal, October 2018

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When “Soul Brother Number One” James Brown released “Say It Loud: I’m Black and  I’m Proud” in the summer of 1968, it became the theme song for an entire movement.  The song and its message were so strong, it sent waves through black American culture.  Not surprisingly, many other soul and R&B artists took notice and were coming up with  their own black pride songs. This concert celebrates not only James Brown, but also the  Black Pride music he inspired among other African-American artists starting in the summer of 1968, including The Temptations, Sly and the Family Stone, Nina Simone and more.

Musical Director: Christian McBride

All Star Band: Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Frank Greene, Lee Hogans, Steve Wilson, Rodney Jones, Eric Krasno, Robert “Mousey” Thompson, Nikki Glaspie, Gabu Lugo, Janice Pendarvis

Special Guests:  Lee Fields, Lisa Fischer, Nona Hendryx, Avery Sunshine, & Stokley Williams (of Mint Condition)

Host: Al Sharpton

Musical Director 

Christian McBride

All Star Band

Fred Wesley 

Pee Wee Ellis

Frank Greene

Lee Hogans

Steve Wilson

Rodney Jones

Eric Krasno

Robert “Mousey” Thompson

Nikki Glaspie

Gabo Lugo

Janice Pendarvis

Special Guests  

Lee Fields

Lisa Fischer

Nona Hendryx

Avery Sunshine

Stokley Williams (of Mint Condition)

Host

Rev. Al Sharpton

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Join the Movement with songs inspired by Apollo's 2018-2019 Season.

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March 25-28, 1968: James Brown and His Orchestra and Revue play the Apollo Theater; the shows are filmed for a future Metromedia (now Fox) television special, Man to Man.

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Kwame Ture - Black Power

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Watch Apollo Theater's Apollo Live Wire – re-Volution Live: 50 Years After Say It Loud on Livestream.com. 

Fifty years after the release of James Brown’s hallmark anthem, Apollo Live Wire brings together a lineup of acclaimed artists and thinkers to reflect on the impact of that pivotal song in music history. Join Duke University Professor of African and African American Studies, Mark Anthony Neal; bassist, composer and host of Jazz Night in America, Christian McBride; and three special guest DJs, for an improvised evening of music and conversation.

Featuring Guest DJs (L-R): DJ KS 360 , DJ LiKWUiD, and DJ MamaSoul

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The Roundtable featured:

Fred Thomas, Former bassist with James Brown from 1971-1982, and 1991-2006; Alan Leeds, co-author of "The James Brown Reader" and former road/tour manager for JB from 1969-1974; Danny Ray, Emcee and "Cape Man" to James Brown from 1964 until 2006; Robert "Mousey" Thompson, Drummer with James Brown from 1993 - 2006; Harry Weinger, Producer of the Grammy-winning James Brown box set "Star Time"; Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis, Legendary saxophonist, former musical director of The James Brown Orchestra from 1966-1969, and co-writer of Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud.

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Fela Kuti 

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Les McCann and Eddie Harris, “Compared to What,” 1969

 Written by Eugene McDaniels

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Sound and Fury

Am I black enough for you Am I black enough for you

Get in line

Stop marching in time You better make up your mind We're gonna leave you behind

 Billy Paul, Am I Black Enough For You, 1972; Written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff

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Black is Beautiful

In 1962, the African Jazz-Art Society and Studios (AJASS), led by Harlem activist, Elombe Brath, was one of the first organizations to show the beauty of kinky hair and Afrocentric attire. AJASS held a fashion show featuring the Grandassa models, who all wore naturals. His brother Kwame Brathwaite is a well-known photographer, who made pictures of the Black is Beautiful events.

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The Impressions' “We're a Winner”

Written by Curtis Mayfield, was released in January 1968. 

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Commitment to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

James Brown and many other performers risked life and limb to perform in the Deep South to support the Civil Rights Movement. Brown did not agree with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s nonviolent tactics, but he had deep respect for him, and the respect was mutual. Dr. King was a fan, so it was only natural for Brown to appear at rallies to strengthen the spirits of the Civil Rights activists who bravely took part in the dangerous work of challenging racism.

On April 4, 1968, Rev. King’s assassination on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee caused hundreds of uprisings across the nation.

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The Night James Brown Saved Boston

The day after Rev. King was killed, Brown was scheduled to appear at the Boston Garden. Violence had erupted in many cities; Boston was one of them. That was the day Brown became a peacemaker, and prevented the unrest in Roxbury (the Black area) from spreading. His performance was televised live on WGBH, and kept people off the streets.

The mayor of the Washington, D.C. also called on Brown to help him end the uprising that was going on there. Brown arrived in DC and walked through the city telling the young rebels to “fight with dignity,” to not destroy their neighborhoods.