The Night James Brown Saved Boston on DVD, Jan 27th

He said it loud, he was black and proud. So proud that the day after Martin Luther King Jr assassination, he called for  peace hosting one of his best show in Boston to prevent the city from rioting.

The show was supposed to be held at the Boston Garden with 15000 persons attending for the #1 Soul Brother. But has the black community was expressing its sadness by burning the streets down, the mayor of Boston, Kevin White first decided to cancel the show. Why? Because he didn’t want to see black people from Roxbury and South End going downtown and endanger the “white” center of the City.

Fortunately, James “Early” Bird (DJ at WIOD radio) and Tom Adkins, the only black city counselor told him he was wrong and that decision would add fuel to the flames. So he decided to broadcast the concert on TV and give people their money back without giving a call to James Brown himself. Next thing you know, Brown asked for his 60 000 dollars to cover the loss of income which almost made the mayor cry. 2 000 people attended the show anyway and the rest of the people watched it quietly and safely at home. And while everybody, including the JB’s, thought that this night would turn into drama, Boston was one of the US cities that remains quiet.

VH1 broadcasted the documenatry on April 5th, 2008, 40 years after MLK’s assassination but rejoice rejoice, the DVD will be out on january 27 (Shout! Factory)