“Live at the Apollo” surely qualifies as the most legendary live album of all time, and the reasons are self-evident, especially when heard within the context of its time.

By 1963, rock and roll was all but dead, and even hard-edged R&B started to shift toward a more relaxed ‘soul’ sound. The raw intensity of James Brown’s performance, coupled with the driving, spot-on perfection of his backing band represented a sound that most Americans could have hardly imagined in 1963. Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson were precursors, but Brown roughened the edges and raised the ante considerably. The audience itself is an instrument on the album, with screaming girls accentuating climactic moments, suggesting a Beatlemania-like frenzy before anything like that existed.

Amazingly, Syd Nathan, the owner of Brown’s label King Records, had little respect for Brown’s talent and was dead set against releasing the album. To ensure its release, Brown had to pay for the recording himself, making it a no-lose proposition for Nathan. Imagine his surprise when it became the best-selling album in King’s history, climbing to #2 on the pop charts (!), where it lingered for 66 weeks.

As you already know, Brown would go on to become the most influential R&B artist of all time, and Syd Nathan capitalized on Brown’s career by keeping his opinions to himself (mostly). Brown proudly recognized the cultural significance of this recording and attempted to capitalize on it by releasing three more “Live at the Apollo” albums over the course of his career, but the stunning energy of his first live album could never be duplicated. 

Featured Tracks:

Introduction to James Brown and The Famous Flames (by Fats Gonder)

I'll Go Crazy

Try Me

Think

I Don't Mind

Lost Someone

Medley: Please, Please, Please/You've Got the Power/I Found Someone/Why Do You Do Me/I Want You So Bad/I Love You, Yes I Do/Strange Things Happen/Bewildered/Please, Please, Please

Prisoner of Love (1963 single)

Medley – I Found Someone/Why Do You Do Me/I Want You So Bad

I’ll Go Crazy 2

May 1963 - Billboard Charted #2