Charles Brown was an influential American blues singer, born on September 13, 1922, in Texas City, Texas, and passed away on January 21, 1999, in Oakland, California. He was best known for his melodic ballads and is considered one of the most influential singers of his time. Brown’s career as a musician began in 1943 when he moved to Los Angeles. He was an accomplished classical pianist and initially played with the Bardu Ali band. However, he gained widespread recognition after joining Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers, a piano-guitar-bass combo that achieved stardom with their hit “Driftin’ Blues,” which was recorded at their first session for Aladdin Records in 1946. The following year, they recorded Brown’s “Merry Christmas, Baby,” which became a beloved holiday favorite.
Despite his musical talent and contributions to the group, Brown became disillusioned with the unequal treatment he received in comparison to guitarist Johnny Moore. This led him to leave the group in 1948 and form his trio. He continued to record for Aladdin Records through 1952. His smooth and mellow vocals, coupled with his preference for melodic ballads over up-tempo material, resonated with the sophisticated urban blues audience of the time. Brown’s distinctive style led to the success of two number-one rhythm-and-blues hits, “Trouble Blues” in 1949 and “Black Night” in 1951. As the landscape of rhythm and blues evolved into a more raucous sound that laid the foundations for rock and roll, Brown’s style did not align with the changing trends. While artists like Nat King Cole transitioned into the pop arena, Brown’s gritty blues style prevented him from achieving similar success in that genre. Despite this, he did have a hit in 1961 with “Please Come Home for Christmas.”
In the subsequent years, Brown’s commercial success waned, leading him to retire from the music industry. However, he continued to perform occasionally in lounges and also devoted time to giving piano and organ lessons. It wasn’t until the early 1980s that Brown experienced a resurgence in his career when he was rediscovered by blues enthusiasts. Financial assistance from one of the first grants from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation further supported his comeback. With his renewed popularity, Brown recorded several albums that showcased his undiminished musical prowess and embarked on a tour with Bonnie Raitt in 1990. His contribution to the blues genre was finally recognized when he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. Charles Brown’s legacy as a blues singer and pianist continues to inspire musicians and resonate with audiences, cementing his status as a pivotal figure in the history of American music.