GBH Openvault

James Brown At The Boston Garden; James Brown and Mayor Kevin White Address the Crowd at the Boston Garden

Part of From the Vault.

04/05/1968

This short excerpt from the 1968 concert features Councilor Tom Atkins and James Brown as they introduce Mayor Kevin White onto the stage at the Boston Garden. White addresses the crowd, urging they respect the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Brown salutes Mayor White and sings "That's Life."


License Clip
Program
James Brown At The Boston Garden
Title

James Brown and Mayor Kevin White Address the Crowd at the Boston Garden

Program Description

“April 5, 1968. This is the famous James Brown concert that was broadcast on WGBH in Boston, Massachusetts less than 24 hours after the assignation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As violence was breaking out across America, Boston mayor Kevin White was considering canceling all public events, including the James Brown concert. Civil leaders advised White that canceling the concert might trigger a riot. The mayor relented and then persuaded PBS station WGBH to broadcast the event in an effort to keep blacks at home instead of on the street. James Brown soothed the grieving audience by dedicating the show to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and delivered and electrifying performance. Brown introduced the mayor who urged the audience to keep cool. At one point the fans go wild and rush the stage. The police move in to restore order but Brown assures them that he can handle it. James then pleads with the crowd to return to their seats and says this is not how black people should act. A very powerful and emotional performance! Songs include: “Get It Together,” “There Was A Time,” “I Got A Feeling,” “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World,” “Lost Someone,” “Bewildered,” “When a Man Loves a Women,” “That’s Life,” “Kansas City,” “Soul Man,” “I Got The Feeling,” “Try Me,” “Cold Sweat,” “Maybe The Last Time,” “Please Please Please,” “I Can’t Stand It” and many others!” 1968.

Duration

00:07:28

Asset Type

Clip

Media Type

Video

Subjects
Musical performance
African American musicians
Entertainment events
Atkins, Tom
Riot control
Brown, James, 1933-2006
African American artists
King, Martin Luther, Jr., 1929-1968
White, Kevin H.
Civil Rights Leaders
Assassination
Locations
Boston Garden (Boston, Mass.)
Genres
Performance for a Live Audience
Topics
Music
Creators
Atwood, David (Director)
Morash, Russell (Producer)
Contributors
Brown, James (Performer)
Publication Information
WGBH Educational Foundation
Citation
Chicago: “James Brown At The Boston Garden; James Brown and Mayor Kevin White Address the Crowd at the Boston Garden,” 04/05/1968, GBH Archives, accessed March 29, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_D1FCF2E687FC4BB6A871B9C400B38044.
MLA: “James Brown At The Boston Garden; James Brown and Mayor Kevin White Address the Crowd at the Boston Garden.” 04/05/1968. GBH Archives. Web. March 29, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_D1FCF2E687FC4BB6A871B9C400B38044>.
APA: James Brown At The Boston Garden; James Brown and Mayor Kevin White Address the Crowd at the Boston Garden. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_D1FCF2E687FC4BB6A871B9C400B38044
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