Go-Go Greats

Remembering Chuck Brown with a look at legendary bands.

Chuck Brown - The guitarist gets the crowd going on the final day of the 20th St. Lucia Jazz Festival at Pigeon Island, May 8, 2011. (Photo: REUTERS /ANDREA DE SILVA /LANDOV)

1 / 12

Wind Me Up, Chuck! - Known as the Godfather of go-go, the indigenous music from our nation's capitol, Chuck Brown's music has set the tone for Washington, D.C., and influenced the genre's close musical cousin, hip hop, since he first hit the scene in the late '70s.Backed by the Soul Searchers, the band leader, performer, and songwriter remained a staple in creating the percussive, funk-inspired sound up, rocking the stage until just before his passing, May 16, 2012. In honor of his memory, BET takes a look at some of the other go-go greats that he inspired.(Photo: REUTERS/Andrea De Silva)

Rare Essence - Known by fans as "The Wickedest Band Alive," Rare Essence started off in the early '70s under the name the Young Dynamos. By 1977 they took on their R-E moniker, and cornered the local club scene. Their founder, Quentin "Footz" Davidson, along with other group members Andre "Whiteboy" Johnson, Michael "Funky Ned" Neal and John Jones, scored their first hit in 1981 with "Body Moves." Their most popular single, "Work the Walls," was officially released in 1992.(Photo: Courtesy Facebook)

2 / 12

Rare Essence - Known by fans as "The Wickedest Band Alive," Rare Essence started off in the early '70s under the name the Young Dynamos. By 1977 they took on their R-E moniker, and cornered the local club scene. Their founder, Quentin "Footz" Davidson, along with other group members Andre "Whiteboy" Johnson, Michael "Funky Ned" Neal and John Jones, scored their first hit in 1981 with "Body Moves." Their most popular single, "Work the Walls," was officially released in 1992.(Photo: Courtesy Facebook)

Trouble Funk - In 1978 drummer Emmet Nixon, percussionists Mack Carey and Timothius Davis, guitarist Chester Davis, bassist Tony Fisher, trombone players Gerald and Robert Reed, trumpeter Taylor Reed, keyboard player James Avery, and saxophonist David Rudd came together to form one of the most popular go-go groups in history, Trouble Funk. Together they released their 1982 debut single "Drop the Bomb" on Sugar Hill Records, the label responsible for recording and promoting the first ever rap song, "Rappers Delight," by the Sugar Hill Gang. (Photo:Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

3 / 12

Trouble Funk - In 1978 drummer Emmet Nixon, percussionists Mack Carey and Timothius Davis, guitarist Chester Davis, bassist Tony Fisher, trombone players Gerald and Robert Reed, trumpeter Taylor Reed, keyboard player James Avery, and saxophonist David Rudd came together to form one of the most popular go-go groups in history, Trouble Funk. Together they released their 1982 debut single "Drop the Bomb" on Sugar Hill Records, the label responsible for recording and promoting the first ever rap song, "Rappers Delight," by the Sugar Hill Gang. (Photo:Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The Soul Searchers - Although he would go on to record and perform with many, Chuck Brown's original band, The Soul Searchers, were responsible for assisting him with memorable hits like "Ashley's Roachclip" and "Bustin Loose" (1978). Their music has been sampled by numerous hip hop artists including Nelly, Eric B. and Rakim, and LL Cool J. (Photo: Courtesy Raw Venture Records)

4 / 12

The Soul Searchers - Although he would go on to record and perform with many, Chuck Brown's original band, The Soul Searchers, were responsible for assisting him with memorable hits like "Ashley's Roachclip" and "Bustin Loose" (1978). Their music has been sampled by numerous hip hop artists including Nelly, Eric B. and Rakim, and LL Cool J. (Photo: Courtesy Raw Venture Records)

The Backyard Band - Referring to themselves as the "Bad Boys of Go-Go," the Backyard Band is known for being one of the first go-go groups to take popular rap songs and mesh them with go-go beats, starting in the early '90s. Getting much respect from the younger set, up-and-coming rapper Wale featured one of the band's lead vocalist, Weensey, on his signature go-go inspired hit "Pretty Girls."(Photo: Courtesy Facebook)

5 / 12

The Backyard Band - Referring to themselves as the "Bad Boys of Go-Go," the Backyard Band is known for being one of the first go-go groups to take popular rap songs and mesh them with go-go beats, starting in the early '90s. Getting much respect from the younger set, up-and-coming rapper Wale featured one of the band's lead vocalist, Weensey, on his signature go-go inspired hit "Pretty Girls."(Photo: Courtesy Facebook)

ADVERTISEMENT
EU (Experience Unlimited) - Led by singer and bassist Gregory "Sugarbear" Eliot, the '80s and early '90s band EU (Experience Unlimited) was behind one of the most mainstream go-go hits, "Da Butt." In addition to being a huge commercial hit in 1988, the song was prominently featured by Spike Lee in his film School Daze.(Photo: Courtesy Teddy Bear Records)

6 / 12

EU (Experience Unlimited) - Led by singer and bassist Gregory "Sugarbear" Eliot, the '80s and early '90s band EU (Experience Unlimited) was behind one of the most mainstream go-go hits, "Da Butt." In addition to being a huge commercial hit in 1988, the song was prominently featured by Spike Lee in his film School Daze.(Photo: Courtesy Teddy Bear Records)

Mambo Sauce - Named after a popular condiment found in D.C. Chinese take-out restaurants, Mambo Sauce came on the scene in 2007 with their songs "Miracles" and "Welcome to D.C." Their debut album, The Recipe, would follow a couple years later in 2009. The band features Alfred "Black Boo" Duncan and Joi "J.C." Carter as lead vocalists, Jermaine "Lil Pep" Cole on percussion, Patricia "Twink" Little on the drums, Christian "Lil' Chris" Wright on the keyboard and Khari Pratt on bass. Some former members, who went on to play with other legendary go-go bands, include lead vocalist Yendy Brown, lead guitar Andrew "Drew" White, and drummer Barrington "Barry" Talbert.(Photo: Courtesy Red C Records)

7 / 12

Mambo Sauce - Named after a popular condiment found in D.C. Chinese take-out restaurants, Mambo Sauce came on the scene in 2007 with their songs "Miracles" and "Welcome to D.C." Their debut album, The Recipe, would follow a couple years later in 2009. The band features Alfred "Black Boo" Duncan and Joi "J.C." Carter as lead vocalists, Jermaine "Lil Pep" Cole on percussion, Patricia "Twink" Little on the drums, Christian "Lil' Chris" Wright on the keyboard and Khari Pratt on bass. Some former members, who went on to play with other legendary go-go bands, include lead vocalist Yendy Brown, lead guitar Andrew "Drew" White, and drummer Barrington "Barry" Talbert.(Photo: Courtesy Red C Records)

UCB (Uncalled 4 Band) - Washington, D.C.'s UCB formed in the late '90s in the basement of group member Roc Mikey's mother's garage. The group gained much national recognition when Wale brought them on the Attention Deficit tour with him to give his fans around the country a taste of the city. They also got the opportunity to perform as the house band for MTV's Video Music Awards in 2009, and backed the rising star at BET's "Rising Icons." (Photo: Courtesy Myspace)

8 / 12

UCB (Uncalled 4 Band) - Washington, D.C.'s UCB formed in the late '90s in the basement of group member Roc Mikey's mother's garage. The group gained much national recognition when Wale brought them on the Attention Deficit tour with him to give his fans around the country a taste of the city. They also got the opportunity to perform as the house band for MTV's Video Music Awards in 2009, and backed the rising star at BET's "Rising Icons." (Photo: Courtesy Myspace)

The Young Senators - The Young Senators made their mark as the first road band to record with a major Motown Act. They were also the first go-go band to have a number-one single, 1969's "Jungle." They were inducted into the Go-Go Hall of Fame in February of 2002.(Photo: Courtesy Epic Records)

9 / 12

The Young Senators - The Young Senators made their mark as the first road band to record with a major Motown Act. They were also the first go-go band to have a number-one single, 1969's "Jungle." They were inducted into the Go-Go Hall of Fame in February of 2002.(Photo: Courtesy Epic Records)

Black Heat - Black Heat was a short-lived 1970s funk band founded by King Raymond Green. The group consisted of keyboardist and vocalist Johnell Gray, guitarist and vocalist Bradley Owens, bass guitarist and vocalist Chip Jones, drummer and vocalist Esco Cromer, as well as Ray Thompson on the woodwinds, Rodney Edwards on the trumpet, Ken Carroll on the tenor sax and King Raymond Gree on the congas, timbales, harmonica and vocals. Made popular by their hit 1974 single "No Time to Burn," the group would release their last album Keep on Runnin's in 1975. (Photo: Courtesy Label M Records)

10 / 12

Black Heat - Black Heat was a short-lived 1970s funk band founded by King Raymond Green. The group consisted of keyboardist and vocalist Johnell Gray, guitarist and vocalist Bradley Owens, bass guitarist and vocalist Chip Jones, drummer and vocalist Esco Cromer, as well as Ray Thompson on the woodwinds, Rodney Edwards on the trumpet, Ken Carroll on the tenor sax and King Raymond Gree on the congas, timbales, harmonica and vocals. Made popular by their hit 1974 single "No Time to Burn," the group would release their last album Keep on Runnin's in 1975. (Photo: Courtesy Label M Records)

ADVERTISEMENT
Northeast Groovers - Although some members would later go on to join the legendary go-go group Mambo Sauce (band-hopping is a usual practice in the genre), Northeast Groovers held their own as a premier go-go group in the early '90s after the release of their classic "Water Dance." Wale's early songs "Dig Dug (Shake It)" was a tribute to Ronald "Dig Dug" Dixon, percussion player for the band. (Photo: Courtesy Myspace)

11 / 12

Northeast Groovers - Although some members would later go on to join the legendary go-go group Mambo Sauce (band-hopping is a usual practice in the genre), Northeast Groovers held their own as a premier go-go group in the early '90s after the release of their classic "Water Dance." Wale's early songs "Dig Dug (Shake It)" was a tribute to Ronald "Dig Dug" Dixon, percussion player for the band. (Photo: Courtesy Myspace)

The Junkyard Band - Founded in the early '80s by children playing on improvised instruments — hubcaps, plastic buckets, crates, pots, pans, and cans, the aptly titled Junkyard Band may be best known for their song "Sardines." The single was released on the newly formed Def Jam hip hop label in 1986. The group continued to record together until their last album in 1999, The Beginning/End.(Photo: Courtesy Def Jam Records)

12 / 12

The Junkyard Band - Founded in the early '80s by children playing on improvised instruments — hubcaps, plastic buckets, crates, pots, pans, and cans, the aptly titled Junkyard Band may be best known for their song "Sardines." The single was released on the newly formed Def Jam hip hop label in 1986. The group continued to record together until their last album in 1999, The Beginning/End.(Photo: Courtesy Def Jam Records)