Charles Brown

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  • Year:
    1999
  • Inducted by:
    Bonnie Raitt
  • Category:
    Early Influences
Charles Brown

Introduction

A blues aficionado for the sophisticated crowd.

Charles Brown’s intimate, laidback blues were the breezy Westcoast sound of choice for postwar audiences. Armed with classical piano training and a repertoire full of ballads, he found success with mellow R&B hits.

Hall of Fame Essay

1999

Ashley Kahn

In that purely mental dreamscape where we all wander at times-driving alone or  staring out windows or thinking about not thinking at all - there’s a  nightclub  you  might like to drop by. It doesn’t have a name, and it may look a bit different each  time you step through the imaginary doors, but the bartender always knows  your  drink, the scotch is smooth with just enough bite, the lights are comfortably low,  and there’s a tall, well-tailored man sitting behind the piano painting a  subtle rendition of a blues. 

His fingers brushstroke the keys, smoothly layering light chords over a hushed,  darker rhythm; then he leans back and sings with a confident, bittersweet  voice that is maybe a little too romantic, too hallowed for a place like this.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program Cover 1999
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Charles Brown Quote Image
a man I like to call the Sequoyah of the blues
Bonnie Raitt

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Gallery

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Charles Gallery Image 1
Charles Brown Gallery Image 3
Charles Brown Gallery Image 3