WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.040 Imagine a voice so steeped in the golden era 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:06.339 of funk and soul it sounds like it's been waiting 00:00:06.589 --> 00:00:09.730 well, basically a lifetime to be heard, a voice 00:00:09.730 --> 00:00:12.750 that carries the weight of decades, raw emotion, 00:00:13.169 --> 00:00:15.330 and this just undeniable spirit that grabs you 00:00:15.330 --> 00:00:18.190 by the heart and refuses to let go. It really 00:00:18.190 --> 00:00:21.230 does. Today, we're embarking on a profound deep 00:00:21.230 --> 00:00:24.629 dive into the extraordinary, often heartbreaking, 00:00:24.890 --> 00:00:27.530 yet I think ultimately triumphant life and career 00:00:27.530 --> 00:00:30.670 of Charles Bradley. Yeah. Known affectionately 00:00:30.670 --> 00:00:34.670 and powerfully as... The screaming eagle of soul. 00:00:35.009 --> 00:00:37.049 And what's truly fascinating here isn't just 00:00:37.049 --> 00:00:39.570 the sheer power of the music itself, which is, 00:00:39.570 --> 00:00:41.409 I mean, it's utterly captivating, right? Completely. 00:00:41.750 --> 00:00:44.369 But it's the remarkable, almost unbelievable 00:00:44.369 --> 00:00:46.990 journey that produced it. We're going to explore 00:00:46.990 --> 00:00:50.590 how a man could endure decades of, well, profound 00:00:50.590 --> 00:00:53.109 obscurity and hardship experiences that would 00:00:53.109 --> 00:00:55.969 break most people, frankly, only to find global 00:00:55.969 --> 00:00:58.509 recognition and critical acclaim finally reaching 00:00:58.509 --> 00:01:01.759 him in his early 50s. This truly raises an important 00:01:01.759 --> 00:01:04.359 question for all of us, I think. What does it 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:07.239 take to not only find your authentic voice, both 00:01:07.239 --> 00:01:11.760 literally and figuratively, but to possess that 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.659 unwavering resilience to share it with the world, 00:01:14.819 --> 00:01:17.159 against all odds, even when it feels like time 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:19.659 is almost, you know... irreversibly run out. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:21.560 That's precisely the heart of this deep dive. 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:24.120 You've provided us with this fantastic array 00:01:24.120 --> 00:01:26.760 of sources detailing every facet of Bradley's 00:01:26.760 --> 00:01:29.780 life, from his earliest most profound struggles 00:01:29.780 --> 00:01:33.060 and personal losses to that late career explosion 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:35.920 that captivated audiences across the globe. Our 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:38.900 mission for you, our dedicated listener, is to 00:01:38.900 --> 00:01:41.730 not just recount his story, but to really extract 00:01:41.730 --> 00:01:43.730 the most important knuckets of knowledge and 00:01:43.730 --> 00:01:46.189 insight from all this rich material. Get into 00:01:46.189 --> 00:01:48.909 the weeds a bit. Exactly. Yeah. We want to understand 00:01:48.909 --> 00:01:51.689 the man behind that unforgettable sound to truly 00:01:51.689 --> 00:01:54.390 grasp what fueled his extraordinary emotional 00:01:54.390 --> 00:01:56.750 delivery and maybe most importantly, what his 00:01:56.750 --> 00:01:59.129 story means for anyone out there chasing a dream, 00:01:59.269 --> 00:02:01.829 no matter how long it takes, no matter how many 00:02:01.829 --> 00:02:04.510 seemingly insurmountable obstacles stand in their 00:02:04.510 --> 00:02:06.829 way. It's quite the tale. So let's chart his 00:02:06.829 --> 00:02:10.500 incredible course. from a childhood marked by 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:14.120 abandonment and displacement, through years of 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:16.379 literally living on the streets and taking on 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:20.620 countless odd jobs, to his serendipitous discovery 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:23.159 as a James Brown impersonator. Which is a story 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:26.460 in itself. Totally. His eventual hard -won rise 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:29.240 as an original recording artist with the legendary 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:32.219 Dapton Records, and finally his enduring legacy 00:02:32.219 --> 00:02:34.520 that continues to inspire. A hell of a journey. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:37.280 Okay, so as we delve deeper, his formative years 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:39.840 quickly review - why his music holds such profound 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:42.479 weight. Charles Bradley's story isn't merely 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:45.580 about the songs he sang. It's a powerful testament 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:48.479 to this incredible resilience that was forged 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:50.879 in the crucible of a truly, truly difficult life. 00:02:51.699 --> 00:02:53.759 Born Charles Edward Bradley in Gainesville, Florida, 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:57.020 November 5th, 1948, his early experiences didn't 00:02:57.020 --> 00:02:59.699 just passly inform his art. No, not at all. They 00:02:59.699 --> 00:03:02.199 quite literally set a powerful stage, creating 00:03:02.199 --> 00:03:05.300 the very foundation for the depths of raw, unvarnished 00:03:05.300 --> 00:03:07.419 emotion he would later convey in every single 00:03:07.419 --> 00:03:09.599 note. It's hard to overstate the impact of this 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:11.860 early foundation, isn't it? Oh, absolutely. If 00:03:11.860 --> 00:03:14.099 we truly connect this to the bigger picture, 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:17.159 understanding his background is not just crucial, 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:20.139 it's... Well, it's essential to appreciating 00:03:20.139 --> 00:03:23.259 the profound authenticity of his entire retro 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:26.060 soul sound. Right. His personal experiences weren't 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:28.099 just, you know, abstract lyrical inspirations 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:30.180 he pulled from. They were deeply embedded in 00:03:30.180 --> 00:03:32.439 the very fabric of his vocal delivery. You can 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:35.599 hear it. You really can. Critics often do striking 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:38.580 comparisons between Bradley and iconic figures 00:03:38.580 --> 00:03:40.759 like Otis Redding. Yeah, that comparison comes 00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:43.750 up a lot. It does. And when you listen to the 00:03:43.750 --> 00:03:46.729 raw, almost palpable pain and vulnerability in 00:03:46.729 --> 00:03:49.629 his voice, you can hear how those life experiences 00:03:49.629 --> 00:03:52.129 resonated so deeply with the emotive styles of 00:03:52.129 --> 00:03:54.810 those soul legends. It wasn't a performance or 00:03:54.810 --> 00:03:58.430 an act. It was his truth laid bare. For instance, 00:03:58.550 --> 00:04:00.909 the way his voice would crack or strain, you 00:04:00.909 --> 00:04:03.129 know, reaching for those high notes. That isn't 00:04:03.129 --> 00:04:05.090 just technique. It's the sound of a man who has 00:04:05.090 --> 00:04:07.569 lived through every word he sings. It's a direct 00:04:07.569 --> 00:04:10.770 echo of the struggles we're about to unpack. 00:04:10.729 --> 00:04:13.270 So let's start there, that early adversity and 00:04:13.270 --> 00:04:16.079 relocation, it's pretty staggering. It really 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:19.300 is. Bradley was tragically abandoned by his mother 00:04:19.300 --> 00:04:22.379 at just eight months old. Eight months. Yeah, 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:24.519 a formative experience that would undoubtedly 00:04:24.519 --> 00:04:26.540 shape his sense of attachment and belonging for 00:04:26.540 --> 00:04:29.220 the rest of his life. He was subsequently raised 00:04:29.220 --> 00:04:31.939 by his maternal grandmother in Gainesville, Florida, 00:04:32.040 --> 00:04:35.139 which provided, you know, some semblance of stability 00:04:35.139 --> 00:04:38.079 during those tender years. But this fragile piece 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:40.439 was disrupted at age eight. Right. His mother 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:43.639 came back. Exactly. His mother reappeared and 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:46.699 moved him to Brooklyn, New York. Just imagine 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:50.300 the stark contrast for a second. A young boy 00:04:50.300 --> 00:04:53.560 plucked from the rural south. a relatively quiet 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:57.040 existence, and thrust into the bustling, often 00:04:57.040 --> 00:04:59.800 unforgiving concrete jungle of Brooklyn. It's 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:02.339 a world away. Completely. This early displacement, 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:04.980 this constant familial instability of being moved 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:08.040 back and forth became a key thread in his narrative. 00:05:08.519 --> 00:05:10.660 It contributed to a profound sense of longing, 00:05:10.920 --> 00:05:13.439 a search for belonging, and an underlying feeling 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:15.959 of being an outsider that permeated his life 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:18.660 and, by extension, every soulful note he ever 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:21.319 sang. It sort of imprinted upon him this sense 00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:23.939 of attachment, a feeling of being other, even 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:26.240 within his own family structure sometimes. And 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:28.759 it was in Brooklyn, amidst all that geographical 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:31.740 and emotional upheaval, that a truly profound 00:05:31.740 --> 00:05:34.800 spark was ignited. Yeah, the Apollo. The Apollo. 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:38.959 1962, he's 14 years old. His sister takes him 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:41.759 to see the legendary James Brown perform live. 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:43.939 Can you imagine? I mean, you could almost feel 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:46.860 the electricity in the air, the raw energy, the 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:50.180 showmanship, the pure unagulterated soul just 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:53.040 blasting from that stage. For young Charles, 00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:55.639 this wasn't just a concert. It was a profound 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:58.939 life -altering epiphany. Totally. He was so utterly 00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:01.500 inspired by that performance that he immediately 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:04.160 started mimicking Brown's dynamic singing and 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:06.980 his electrifying stage mannerisms at home. Practicing 00:06:06.980 --> 00:06:09.259 in the mirror. Exactly. Practicing relentlessly, 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:11.519 studying every move, every guttural cry, every 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:13.680 precise shuffle. This wasn't just a casual hobby 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:15.800 or even like a simple childhood obsession. No, 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:18.480 it was deeper. It was the foundational groundwork 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:20.879 for what would eventually become his entire career, 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:24.060 a destiny he wouldn't fully realize for... Decades, 00:06:24.220 --> 00:06:27.019 obviously, but one that took root in that hallowed 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:30.699 hall. He basically internalized Brown's performance, 00:06:30.980 --> 00:06:33.199 using it as a blueprint for his own burgeoning, 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:36.339 yet still unformed artistic identity. But that 00:06:36.339 --> 00:06:39.860 burgeoning dream was soon overshadowed by renewed 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:43.060 and severe hardship. Right, because at just 14, 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:45.680 the same pivotal age, he discovered his idol. 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:49.189 Yeah, the irony. He ran away from home. To escape 00:06:49.189 --> 00:06:51.629 what were described in our sources as incredibly 00:06:51.629 --> 00:06:54.610 poor and untenable living conditions specifically, 00:06:55.329 --> 00:06:57.990 a basement bedroom with a sand floor. a sand 00:06:57.990 --> 00:07:00.269 floor. I mean, just think about the stark reality 00:07:00.269 --> 00:07:02.389 of that for a moment. Just hard to fathom. This 00:07:02.389 --> 00:07:04.209 wasn't just discomfort. It was a stark symbol 00:07:04.209 --> 00:07:07.730 of extreme poverty, neglect, and a complete lack 00:07:07.730 --> 00:07:10.910 of basic amenities. Absolutely. For two harrowing 00:07:10.910 --> 00:07:12.730 years, he lived on the harsh streets during the 00:07:12.730 --> 00:07:15.230 day, navigating the constant dangers, the hunger, 00:07:15.389 --> 00:07:18.110 the uncertainties of urban life, and found transient 00:07:18.110 --> 00:07:20.689 shelter by sleeping nights in subway cars. Just 00:07:20.689 --> 00:07:23.990 trying to stay warm, stay safe. Exactly. Seeking 00:07:23.990 --> 00:07:27.129 any warmth or safety he could find, this period 00:07:27.129 --> 00:07:30.449 highlights an extreme level of precarity, a daily 00:07:30.449 --> 00:07:32.810 fight for basic survival that very few people 00:07:32.810 --> 00:07:35.329 ever experience. But even then, he showed this 00:07:35.329 --> 00:07:38.449 drive, didn't he? He did. Demonstrating an early 00:07:38.449 --> 00:07:41.269 and powerful drive for self -sufficiency, he 00:07:41.269 --> 00:07:44.629 eventually enlisted in Job Corps, which is a 00:07:44.629 --> 00:07:46.930 federal program designed to help at -risk youth. 00:07:47.490 --> 00:07:49.670 This program offered him much needed structure, 00:07:49.889 --> 00:07:52.110 vocational training, and a pathway to a different 00:07:52.110 --> 00:07:55.189 life. It ultimately led him to Bar Harbor, Maine, 00:07:55.410 --> 00:07:58.069 a complete change of scenery. From Brooklyn to 00:07:58.069 --> 00:08:00.689 Maine. Yeah, where he trained as a chef, a skill 00:08:00.689 --> 00:08:02.649 that would provide him with a crucial livelihood 00:08:02.649 --> 00:08:05.490 for many, many years to come. This period of 00:08:05.490 --> 00:08:07.329 his life, I think, must have instilled in him 00:08:07.329 --> 00:08:09.569 a profound appreciation for stability, no matter 00:08:09.569 --> 00:08:11.870 how fleeting it might have been. And it was in 00:08:11.870 --> 00:08:14.490 Maine, after years of struggle. that he had his 00:08:14.490 --> 00:08:17.129 very first taste of performing for a live audience. 00:08:17.129 --> 00:08:19.269 Yeah, a glimpse of the future. A moment that 00:08:19.269 --> 00:08:21.209 must have felt like a dizzying glimpse into a 00:08:21.209 --> 00:08:24.949 completely different, more hopeful future. A 00:08:24.949 --> 00:08:27.449 co -worker, maybe noticing his resemblance to 00:08:27.449 --> 00:08:31.250 James Brown, or hearing him sing, outright asked 00:08:31.250 --> 00:08:33.490 him if he could perform. But he was shy, wasn't 00:08:33.490 --> 00:08:36.649 he? Terribly shy. Despite his deep -seated desire 00:08:36.649 --> 00:08:39.710 to be on stage, he was initially incredibly shy, 00:08:40.070 --> 00:08:43.169 battling severe stage fright. The story goes, 00:08:43.710 --> 00:08:46.429 it took a crew member literally pushing him through 00:08:46.429 --> 00:08:48.710 the curtains onto the stage. Wow. For him to 00:08:48.710 --> 00:08:51.289 take that terrifying, yet exhilarating leap. 00:08:51.610 --> 00:08:53.289 He ended up performing five or six times with 00:08:53.289 --> 00:08:55.629 a local band, getting that initial intoxicating 00:08:55.629 --> 00:08:57.649 rush of connecting with an audience, of feeling 00:08:57.649 --> 00:09:00.090 the power of his voice. But it didn't last. No, 00:09:00.409 --> 00:09:02.970 tragically short -lived. A cruel twist of fate 00:09:02.970 --> 00:09:05.730 for such a young emerging talent. His bandmates 00:09:05.730 --> 00:09:08.649 were soon drafted into the Vietnam War. Uh, the 00:09:08.649 --> 00:09:12.059 draft. Yeah, and the act. Sadly, never reformed. 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:14.840 It's just a stark and painful reminder of the 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:17.080 era's profound and often devastating impact on 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:19.679 individual lives, on personal dreams, and on 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:22.759 the very fabric of society, snatching away opportunities 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:25.679 just as they began to bloom. Indeed. Following 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:27.940 that brief glimpse of a musical career, what 00:09:27.940 --> 00:09:30.639 we see is this remarkable period of wandering 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:33.179 and incredible perseverance that span decades. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:36.620 Decades. He continued to work in Maine as a cook 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:39.960 for 10 years, honing his culinary skills, but 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:42.419 clearly the open road and perhaps that deeper 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:45.360 calling continued to beckon him. Right. He then 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:47.639 decided to head west, embarking on an arduous 00:09:47.639 --> 00:09:50.500 journey across the country by hitchhiking, truly 00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:52.779 living a nomadic existence. Hitchhiking across 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:55.620 the country. Yeah. His travels took him to a 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:58.639 multitude of places. Upstate, New York, Seattle, 00:09:58.940 --> 00:10:01.320 across the border to Canada, even as far as the 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:04.159 rugged wilderness of Alaska. Wow. Before he finally 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:07.519 settled in California in 1977. For the next two 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:11.179 decades... 20 long years. 20 years. He continued 00:10:11.179 --> 00:10:13.860 to work a dizzying variety of odd jobs, doing 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:16.500 whatever he could, from cooking to manual labor, 00:10:16.940 --> 00:10:19.340 just to make ends meet and survive. But the music 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:21.700 was still there. There. Always. All the while, 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:24.860 he never truly abandoned his dream, playing small 00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:27.240 shows, whatever and wherever the opportunity 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:30.200 arose. It was during this extensive period that 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:32.580 he frequently earned extra money doing James 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:35.419 Brown performances in local clubs. Under those 00:10:35.419 --> 00:10:37.679 stage names. Exactly. Often adopting various 00:10:37.610 --> 00:10:40.809 stage names like The Screaming Eagle of Soul, 00:10:41.129 --> 00:10:43.210 a moniker that would later define him globally, 00:10:43.590 --> 00:10:47.210 as well as Black Velvet and even James Bram Jr. 00:10:47.269 --> 00:10:50.950 Right. This long, arduous period clearly illustrates 00:10:50.950 --> 00:10:54.419 his persistent unwavering, almost desperate connection 00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:57.399 to music, despite the consistent lack of major 00:10:57.399 --> 00:11:00.059 success or widespread recognition. It shows a 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:02.399 man who, no matter what curveball's life threw 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:04.679 at him, kept a crucial part of his dream alive, 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:07.039 even if it was just in dimly lit local venues. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:09.759 Performing for small, appreciative crowds, he 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:12.159 was honing his craft, even if he didn't realize 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:14.259 it fully at the time, just waiting for his moment. 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:16.940 So if you're listening to this, what might we 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:19.940 glean from this particular stage of Charles Bradley's 00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:22.379 journey? I mean, from being abandoned as a baby 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:25.379 and shuffled between guardians to literally living 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:27.700 on the streets, to constantly traveling the country 00:11:27.700 --> 00:11:30.320 and taking on any job he could find. You can 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:33.139 see how his life was already this sprawling, 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:37.740 bluesy song of struggle, survival, and relentless 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:40.639 perseverance. It really was. This was long before 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:42.480 he ever stepped into a professional recording 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:45.720 studio and before he he ever shared his own authentic 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:48.580 voice with the world. Every single note he would 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:51.679 later sing, every guttural cry and soaring falsetto 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:54.360 would be steeped in these deep, profound, and 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:57.299 often painful life experiences, giving his music 00:11:57.299 --> 00:11:59.879 an authenticity that few could ever truly match. 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:02.539 This next chapter of his life reveals an astonishing 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:04.779 turning point, and it raises an important question. 00:12:05.210 --> 00:12:08.269 How does one finally find and embrace their authentic 00:12:08.269 --> 00:12:11.750 artistic voice after years, even decades, of 00:12:11.750 --> 00:12:14.269 embodying another, of channeling an idol like 00:12:14.269 --> 00:12:15.850 James Brown? Yeah, how do you move that shift? 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:18.399 Bradley's journey took another pivotal turn when 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:20.419 he returned to Brooklyn. Back to Brooklyn. Yeah, 00:12:20.419 --> 00:12:22.860 the very place of his childhood struggles. And 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:24.960 ironically, the city that would ultimately lead 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:27.940 to his discovery and the unfolding of his true 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:30.879 artistic self. The circularity of his journey 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:33.779 back to Brooklyn is profound, isn't it? Almost 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:36.000 faded. It really feels that way. So this was 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:39.519 the mid -90s. That's right, the mid -1990s. His 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:41.799 mother reached out and called him back to Brooklyn, 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:44.299 expressing this complex desire to finally get 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:46.399 to know him after a life time of estrangement. 00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:48.779 Which must have been complicated. Oh, undoubtedly 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:51.559 bittersweet. On one hand, it offered a potential 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:53.960 chance for reconciliation and understanding, 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:56.720 for healing old wounds. But on the other, it 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:58.779 brought him back to the very environment where 00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:01.539 he had endured so much hardship and trauma. Right. 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:03.940 Back in Brooklyn, he continued to make a living, 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:06.679 or at least supplement his meager income, by 00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:09.639 diligently moonlighting as a James Brown impersonator 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:12.580 in local clubs. Still Black Velvet. Still performing 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:15.059 under his well -known stage name, Black Velvet. 00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:18.039 This period, however, was far from one of ease 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:20.919 or comfort. It was still profoundly marked by 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:23.659 severe difficulties and even more profound trauma. 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:26.820 Yeah, the sources mention some really tough things. 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:30.360 They do. He suffered a near -fatal allergic reaction 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:32.740 to penicillin, highlighting his precarious health 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:35.399 situation and the constant presence of danger. 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:38.639 Wow. And in a truly heartbreaking event, he awoke 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.679 at his mother's house to the commotion of police 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:43.529 and ambulances. only to discover his brother 00:13:43.529 --> 00:13:45.809 had been tragically murdered close by. Oh my 00:13:45.809 --> 00:13:48.049 god, that's just horrific. Absolutely horrific. 00:13:48.490 --> 00:13:52.049 These continuous, often brutal challenges truly 00:13:52.049 --> 00:13:54.250 underline the relentless stream of adversity 00:13:54.250 --> 00:13:56.470 in his life and how he somehow managed to keep 00:13:56.470 --> 00:13:59.090 going, to keep performing, to keep that flame 00:13:59.090 --> 00:14:02.149 of music alive despite overwhelming personal 00:14:02.149 --> 00:14:05.090 grief and danger. It's almost unbelievable, the 00:14:05.090 --> 00:14:07.029 sheer weight of what he carried, the constant 00:14:07.029 --> 00:14:09.629 struggle. But it was during these tireless performances 00:14:09.629 --> 00:14:12.409 as Black Velvet in Brooklyn's smaller venues 00:14:12.409 --> 00:14:15.629 that fate finally intervened in a decisive way. 00:14:15.769 --> 00:14:17.990 Yes, the Dap -Tone connection. He was discovered 00:14:17.990 --> 00:14:20.769 by Gabriel Roth, also known by his musical alias 00:14:20.769 --> 00:14:22.669 Bosco Man. Bosco Man, here we are. Who was a 00:14:22.669 --> 00:14:24.690 visionary co -founder of the highly influential 00:14:24.690 --> 00:14:28.360 Dap -Tone records. And Roth's vision and Dapton's 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:31.899 entire revivalist approach to funk and soul music 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:34.879 were just perfectly aligned with Bradley's deeply 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:38.340 ingrained style and extensive lived experience. 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:41.789 It was like a perfect storm. Absolutely. Daptone 00:14:41.789 --> 00:14:44.049 wasn't looking for a modern, polished sound. 00:14:44.129 --> 00:14:46.070 Quite the opposite. They were celebrating and 00:14:46.070 --> 00:14:49.190 meticulously recreating the authentic, raw, and 00:14:49.190 --> 00:14:52.870 deeply soulful feel of the 1960s and 1970s. Right. 00:14:53.230 --> 00:14:55.509 Using vintage gear, analog recording. The whole 00:14:55.509 --> 00:14:58.710 nine yards. Using vintage equipment, analog recording 00:14:58.710 --> 00:15:01.049 techniques, and a focus on live instrumentation. 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:04.039 For them, Charles Bradley wasn't just a singer 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:06.759 with a good voice. He was a living embodiment 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:09.139 of that golden era. A time capsule, almost. In 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:12.059 a way, yeah. A true vessel for unadulterated, 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:15.419 old school soul, untouched by contemporary trends. 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:18.440 His voice carried the dust and grit of a bygone 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:21.220 era, exactly what Dapton was championing. And 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:23.379 this connection with Dapton then led to another 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:25.879 truly crucial partnership, didn't it, with Tom 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:28.179 Brennick? That's right. One that would fundamentally 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:31.429 shape Bradley's artistic identity. Roth introduced 00:15:31.429 --> 00:15:33.769 Bradley to his future producer and collaborator, 00:15:33.870 --> 00:15:36.450 Tom Brennick. From the Bullets, Manhattan Street 00:15:36.450 --> 00:15:39.309 Band. Exactly. A talented songwriter and guitarist 00:15:39.309 --> 00:15:42.029 for the label's house bands. Brennick invited 00:15:42.029 --> 00:15:44.990 Bradley to a band rehearsal, and this moment 00:15:44.990 --> 00:15:47.889 fundamentally shifted Bradley's artistic trajectory 00:15:47.889 --> 00:15:51.289 away from pure impersonation. How so? Well, instead 00:15:51.289 --> 00:15:53.970 of asking him to sing pre -written songs, Bradley 00:15:53.970 --> 00:15:56.669 made this unique and profoundly telling request. 00:15:57.129 --> 00:15:59.529 He asked the band to simply play a groove while 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:02.519 he improvised lyrics on the spot. Wow, just riffing 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:05.519 off his own life. Basically, yeah. This spontaneous, 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:08.159 deeply collaborative process was revolutionary 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:11.159 for Bradley. It allowed his raw emotional honesty, 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:14.340 his decades of lived experiences, and his authentic 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:17.179 voice to shine through in an unparalleled way 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:19.799 without the filter of preconceived notions. So 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:21.559 he wasn't performing anymore. He was creating. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:23.960 Exactly. It was an environment where his deep 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:26.179 well of personal history could directly fuel 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:29.399 his artistry, unfiltered, allowing the tr - Charles 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:32.399 Bradley, not James Brown Jr., to emerge. He was 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:34.440 finally being asked to be himself and he had 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:37.019 an entire lifetime of material just waiting to 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:40.500 pour out. And from this incredibly fertile collaborative 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:43.940 creative ground, the very first recordings of 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:46.840 Charles Bradley as an original artist began to 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:50.600 emerge. The early singles. Yeah. Dapton. known 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:52.799 for its dedication to the authentic sound and 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:55.620 physical format of soul music, started releasing 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:58.980 these initial recordings on vinyl singles, or 00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:01.519 45s. Those little records, yeah. Beginning in 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:04.180 2002. Yeah. These weren't just practice sessions 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:07.920 or experimental tracks. They were crucial, deliberate 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:11.220 steps towards his eventual debut album, meticulously 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:14.000 crafted. We're talking about specific early singles 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:16.859 like the powerful Take It As It Come, Take One 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:20.019 in 2002 recorded with Sugarman & Co. The deeply 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:22.160 emotive Now That I'm Gone, Look How You're Crying 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:25.259 in 2004 with The Bullets. And the incredibly 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:29.019 potent The World Is Going Up in Flames in 2007, 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:30.920 a collaboration with the Minahan Street Band. 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:34.119 That one really hit hard. It did. Each of these 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:36.099 tracks was a vital piece of the puzzle, building 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:38.859 anticipation and slowly but surely introducing 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:41.559 the world to this incredible, previously hidden 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:44.299 talent. The world is going up in flames, for 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:47.339 instance, with its driving rhythm and Bradley's 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:50.519 pained, urgent vocals. It immediately captured 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:53.960 the feeling of a world in turmoil, directly reflecting 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:56.839 the hardships he knew so well. These singles 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:59.500 allowed him to refine his unique voice and delivery, 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:02.200 transitioning from a celebrated impersonator 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:05.839 to a truly original artist, one raw heartfelt 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:08.200 note at a time. Okay, let's reflect on this pivotal 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:11.359 moment. After literal decades of channeling the 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:13.880 spirit and sound of James Brown, performing as 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:16.259 an impersonator for survival and passion, Charles 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:19.359 Bradley was finally encouraged, no, truly empowered 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:23.240 to find and unleash his own voice. And that voice, 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:26.359 distinct and powerful, was fueled by every single 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:28.559 one of his lived experiences, every struggle, 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:30.880 every heartache, every fleeting moment of triumph. 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:33.420 This wasn't just a record deal for him. It was 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:36.240 a profound, deeply personal validation of his 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:39.339 entire difficult, winding, and often painful 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:42.839 life story. It really was. It was as if the universe, 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.839 through Daptone Records, was finally saying, 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:48.440 we hear you, Charles. Your story, in your own 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:51.529 words, matters. Finally. Here's where the narrative 00:18:51.529 --> 00:18:55.470 truly accelerates. And frankly, it's absolutely 00:18:55.470 --> 00:18:57.789 mind -boggling when you consider the sheer unlikelihood 00:18:57.789 --> 00:18:59.710 of it all. It really is something. After all 00:18:59.710 --> 00:19:01.809 those years in the shadows, all those odd jobs, 00:19:01.970 --> 00:19:04.809 all those nights sleeping in subway cars, 2011 00:19:04.809 --> 00:19:07.609 marked the undeniable explosive launch of Charles 00:19:07.609 --> 00:19:11.849 Bradley as a global force in music. Can you even 00:19:11.849 --> 00:19:14.430 imagine waiting until you're 62 years old to 00:19:14.430 --> 00:19:17.140 release your debut album? It's staggering. In 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:19.539 an industry obsessed with youth, this was truly 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:22.119 unprecedented. Most artists are well into their 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:24.759 careers or even thinking about retirement by 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:26.799 that age. Right. But for Charles, it was just 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.799 the beginning of his public recognition. And 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:30.839 what's truly fascinating here is how his debut 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:33.359 wasn't merely a collection of songs. It was a 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:35.359 profound combination of his life's struggles 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:38.180 and hard -won triumphs. Exactly. A deeply personal 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:40.839 narrative set to music. It resonated immediately 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:43.559 with audiences and critics alike, precisely because 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:46.200 of its profound authenticity. You felt it was 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:48.890 real. Completely every crack in his voice every 00:19:48.890 --> 00:19:53.099 guttural cry every Soaring falsetto felt utterly 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:56.900 earned, a direct transmission of his soul. And 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:59.160 what made this even more impactful was that his 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:01.940 musical breakthrough was then powerfully amplified 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:05.059 by a documentary. Soul of America. That shared 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:08.240 his incredible, very human personal story with 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:11.119 the world, adding layers of essential context 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:14.319 to his already captivating sound. It transformed 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:17.099 him from an intriguing voice to an inspiring 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:19.859 icon. So let's talk about No Time for Dreaming. 00:20:19.930 --> 00:20:22.549 Released in 2011. The debut. The breakthrough 00:20:22.549 --> 00:20:24.890 debut album, yeah. And its title alone spoke 00:20:24.890 --> 00:20:26.849 volumes about his journey, didn't it? Absolutely. 00:20:27.049 --> 00:20:29.599 No time left to waste. Exactly. Producer Tom 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:31.660 Brennick and Charles Bradley carefully selected 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:34.680 10 of those initial raw, heartfelt recordings 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:36.980 they had been diligently working on for this 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:39.359 pivotal release. And it just took off. It really 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:41.980 did. This album wasn't just good. It was an immediate 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:44.319 phenomenon within the soul and indie music scenes, 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:47.160 quickly establishing his unique, powerful sound 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:50.400 and his incredibly heartfelt delivery, garnering 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:52.559 significant critical attention right out of the 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.680 gate. What were the critics saying? They hailed 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:57.859 it as a genuine throwback, an album that sounded 00:20:57.859 --> 00:21:00.079 like it had been unearthed from a forgotten vault 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:04.019 of 1960s soul. Right. It introduced the screaming 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:07.579 eagle of soul as a true original, a voice that 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:10.539 was both deeply rooted in classic soul traditions, 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:13.500 echoing his idol James Brown, obviously. Yeah, 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:16.119 you hear the influence. But yet powerfully contemporary 00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:19.440 in its emotional resonance. This album made it 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:22.039 unequivocally clear. that while he had channeled 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:24.900 James Brown for years, Charles Bradley was very 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:28.000 much his own man with his own profound story 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:31.500 to tell, his own unique anguish and joy to express. 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:34.619 And then the world got an even deeper, more intimate 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:36.880 look into his extraordinary journey with the 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:39.079 release of Soul of America. The documentary, 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:42.019 yeah, in 2012. This film was directed by Paul 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:44.480 Bryan, who had first met Bradley while directing 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:47.519 the music video for the world is going up in 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:49.720 flames. That's right. So he already had a pre 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:52.400 -existing connection and understanding of Charles's 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:55.000 artistry and persona. Which probably helped capture 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:57.680 that authenticity. I think so. The documentary 00:21:57.680 --> 00:22:00.599 premiered at the prestigious South by Southwest 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:04.339 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas in the spring 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:07.720 of 2012 to widespread critical acclaim and deeply 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:10.640 moved audiences. What did it cover specifically? 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:14.339 It provided this incredibly powerful, immersive 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:17.500 narrative covering basically every facet of his 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:19.819 extraordinary life, his challenging childhood 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:22.759 in Florida, those harrowing days of homelessness 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:25.000 and profound heartache on the streets of New 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:28.180 York, his tireless black velvet gigs where he 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:30.980 honed his craft and waited for his moment, and 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:33.519 ultimately his blossoming career touring the 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:36.019 world and recording at Depton Records. The film 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:38.700 even included captivating footage of his electrifying 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:41.130 performances at festivals worldwide. capturing 00:22:41.130 --> 00:22:43.309 the raw energy he brought to the stage. So you 00:22:43.309 --> 00:22:46.089 really saw the whole journey? You did. This documentary 00:22:46.089 --> 00:22:48.490 wasn't just a companion piece to the album. It 00:22:48.490 --> 00:22:51.809 was instrumental in introducing his raw, honest, 00:22:51.990 --> 00:22:54.890 and truly inspiring story to a much wider global 00:22:54.890 --> 00:22:57.450 audience, showing them the real man behind the 00:22:57.450 --> 00:22:59.670 magnificent voice, allowing them to connect with 00:22:59.670 --> 00:23:02.410 his resilience on a deeply personal level. So 00:23:02.410 --> 00:23:04.670 as you reflect on Charles Bradley's journey, 00:23:04.970 --> 00:23:08.230 culminating in a debut album at 62 and this documentary 00:23:08.230 --> 00:23:11.500 that captured his very essence. What might this 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:14.700 story compel us, you know, the listener, to reconsider 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:17.200 about the timing of our own aspirations? It's 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:19.640 a huge question. Or the untapped potential within 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:22.579 our own life experiences. Bradley's Journey is 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:26.180 such a powerful, undeniable reminder that it 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:29.259 is genuinely never too late to pursue what your 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:32.700 soul aches to do. Absolutely. It powerfully illustrates 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:34.640 that your life experiences, no matter how tough, 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:36.779 how painful, or how long they've stretched out, 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:39.559 can actually be the very fuel, the very source 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:41.960 material for your greatest creations, your most 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:45.099 authentic expressions. Yeah. His story is truly 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:47.500 a blueprint for perseverance, for holding onto 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:49.640 hope against the longest odds, and for having 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:52.140 the courage to finally truly be yourself, no 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:54.539 matter how much time has passed. It tells us 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:56.880 that profound artistry and greatness can emerge 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:59.380 from the most unexpected places, and at the most 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:02.299 unexp... It really challenges our whole notion 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:05.740 of timelines for success. Exactly. And if we 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:08.000 connect those to the broader trajectory of an 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:10.240 artist's career, Bradley's subsequent albums 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:12.720 weren't merely follow ups to a successful debut. 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:16.299 No, he kept going. He kept going. They were profound 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:19.279 further explorations of his unique voice and 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:22.460 continued to cement his place as a vital, irreplaceable 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:25.539 figure in contemporary soul music. This consistent 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:29.140 output, this sustained artistic momentum demonstrated 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:32.059 that his debut was not a fluke, but the beginning 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:35.759 of a true late career artistic flourishing. He 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:38.859 had found his stride and the world was undeniably 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:41.099 ready and eager to listen to everything he had 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:43.579 to offer. So the second album was Victim of Love. 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:46.099 That's right. Victim of Love released on April 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:49.799 2, 2013, just two years after his stunning debut. 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:52.140 Pretty quick turnaround. Relatively, yeah, especially 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:54.599 given how long he waited for the first one. This 00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:56.940 album continued to meticulously build on the 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:59.220 immense critical success and the distinctive 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:02.880 raw, powerful sound established by no time for 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:05.339 dreaming. It further showcased his remarkable 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:08.519 ability to deliver deeply emotional performances, 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:11.440 cementing his reputation for heartfelt, almost 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:14.819 painfully honest soul music. Critically, Victim 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:18.180 of Love explored themes of, well, love, naturally, 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:20.900 but often through the lens of heartache and struggle, 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:23.559 reflecting his own complicated experiences with 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:26.380 relationships. It proved that his debut wasn't 00:25:26.380 --> 00:25:28.940 just a flash in the pan, but the initiation of 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:32.400 a new, vibrant, and creatively chapter for him 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:34.359 as an artist. He wasn't a one -hit wonder. Not 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:36.339 at all. He was an artist with a clear vision, 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:38.799 an abundance of material born from a lifetime 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:41.480 of experience, and a growing confidence in his 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:43.779 unique artistic voice. And then came his third 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:47.640 album, Changes, 2016. This one felt different 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:50.819 maybe. Had a big moment. It did. Changes, released 00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:54.240 on April 1st, 2016. This album really captivated 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:56.240 audiences and critics alike, not just for its 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:58.559 original material, but for one particular track. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:00.859 The Black Sabbath cover. The Black Sabbath cover. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:03.059 While it featured many of his deeply powerful 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:05.559 originals, it also included that incredibly surprising 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:08.180 and remarkably powerful cover of the iconic Black 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:10.660 Sabbath song, Changes. Which is such an unexpected 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:13.240 choice, right? Yeah. Heavy Metal Ballad to Soul 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:16.180 Anthem. Totally unexpected. What stood out so 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:19.039 profoundly about this choice was how he completely 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:21.819 transformed this heavy metal ballad, originally 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:25.279 a piano -driven lament, into a soaring, deeply 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:28.519 emotional soul anthem. He made his own. Completely. 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:31.400 He made it entirely his own, infusing it with 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:34.140 his signature pain, vulnerability, and a newfound 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:37.380 sense of reflective wisdom, proving his immense 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:40.559 artistic versatility and his unparalleled ability 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:43.599 to interpret material in a way that was uniquely 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:46.299 unmistakably Charles Bradley. Yeah. It wasn't 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:48.559 just a cover. It was a profound re -imagination, 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:51.619 a testament to how true soul can transcend genre 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:54.019 boundaries. And beyond that cover, the album 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:56.259 also included the original song, Change for the 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:58.259 World, which ended up having this whole other 00:26:58.259 --> 00:27:00.299 life later on. That's right. It later gained 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:02.859 significant posthumous popularity as the theme 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:04.880 song for savings won the three of the critically 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:08.599 acclaimed dark comedy crime drama TV series, 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:11.769 Barry. With Bill Hader. Yeah. Starring Bill Hader. 00:27:12.289 --> 00:27:15.269 This unexpected crossover appeal with a mainstream, 00:27:15.549 --> 00:27:18.430 popular TV show is an incredibly interesting 00:27:18.430 --> 00:27:21.349 detail, further extending his reach and introducing 00:27:21.349 --> 00:27:24.069 his timeless music to entirely new audiences 00:27:24.069 --> 00:27:25.970 who might not have otherwise discovered him. 00:27:26.109 --> 00:27:28.380 It's amazing how music finds its way. It really 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:30.619 is. And throughout this period of consistent 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:33.359 recording and releasing acclaimed albums, Charles 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:37.099 Bradley remained, at his very core, a live performer. 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.960 Oh, absolutely. The live shows were legendary. 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:41.920 They really were. He continued to perform extensively, 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:44.819 often alongside other talented Dapton artists, 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:48.319 creating truly memorable and often electric experiences 00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:50.940 for audiences around the world. Events like the 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:53.880 Hamilton, Ontario Supercrawl in 2014, where he 00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:57.000 commanded the stage, or his powerful appearances 00:27:57.069 --> 00:27:59.769 as part of the broader Dapton Super Soul review, 00:28:00.230 --> 00:28:02.589 were absolute highlights, showcasing the collective 00:28:02.589 --> 00:28:04.849 talent and raw energy of the label, with Bradley 00:28:04.849 --> 00:28:07.130 always a standout. What was it about his stage 00:28:07.130 --> 00:28:10.099 presence? His dynamic stage presence, his profound, 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:12.559 almost spiritual, emotional connection with the 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:14.480 audience, and his signature move like dropping 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:16.920 to his knees or tossing roses into the crowd. 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:19.819 Yeah, the roses. Were the unmistakable hallmarks 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:22.180 of his performances. He didn't just sing the 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:25.380 songs, he lived them on stage, pouring his entire 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:28.599 being, his entire life story into every single 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:31.759 note, making each concert a truly unforgettable 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:34.460 and deeply moving experience for everyone present. 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:36.980 You felt that connection. Absolutely. He was 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:39.630 no - for making direct eye contact, for reaching 00:28:39.630 --> 00:28:42.230 out, for making every person in the room feel 00:28:42.230 --> 00:28:45.750 seen and connected to his incredible story. So 00:28:45.750 --> 00:28:48.750 what aspects of this period from victim of love 00:28:48.750 --> 00:28:52.109 to changes and those powerful live shows particularly 00:28:52.109 --> 00:28:54.410 resonate with you? You know, it's not just the 00:28:54.410 --> 00:28:56.230 sheer quality of the music across these albums, 00:28:56.269 --> 00:28:58.869 which is consistently high, but the depth and 00:28:58.869 --> 00:29:01.170 the incredible variety of his artistry. From 00:29:01.170 --> 00:29:03.970 those profoundly heartfelt originals born directly 00:29:03.970 --> 00:29:06.390 from his personal history and pain to taking 00:29:06.390 --> 00:29:08.569 on and completely reimagining a Black Sabbath 00:29:08.569 --> 00:29:10.950 classic. Bradley showed the world that he was 00:29:10.950 --> 00:29:13.930 a true uncompromising artist. He was constantly 00:29:13.930 --> 00:29:16.920 pushing his own boundaries, exploring new interpretations, 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:20.160 and sharing his immense hard -won talent with 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:23.440 the world, leaving no emotional stone unturned. 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:26.599 His voice was truly unchained, wasn't it? finally 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:29.279 free to express the full complex spectrum of 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:31.940 his life's experiences. Absolutely. A voice finally 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:34.099 unleashed. Here's where Charles Bradley's story 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:37.460 takes an incredibly poignant and deeply sad turn. 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:40.200 Yeah, this part is tough. Just as he was truly 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:42.619 soaring, finally reaching the heights of recognition 00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:44.920 and adoration he had so profoundly deserved for 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:48.039 so long, his extraordinary journey took an unexpected 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:51.059 and devastating turn. Yet, even in the face of 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:53.900 this, his powerful, unique voice continues to 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:56.819 resonate. echoing far beyond his physical presence 00:29:56.819 --> 00:30:00.519 and enduring force. And this final chapter raises 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:03.059 an important and deeply human question for us. 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:05.819 How does an artist's body of work take on new 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:07.819 and even deeper meaning after their passing? 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:11.200 And how do we as listeners and as a society ensure 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:13.480 that their profound legacy endures for future 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:17.039 generations? Bradley's final years, tragically 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:19.660 marked by illness and the subsequent posthumous 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:22.720 releases of his music, speak volumes about his 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:25.740 immense impact and the lasting power of his artistry 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:29.339 and his indomitable spirit. His music took on 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:31.779 another layer after he passed. It did. It became 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:34.140 not just a testament to his life, but a source 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:36.980 of comfort and a profound inspiration to countless 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:39.819 fans, even after his death, serving as a reminder 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:42.059 of his enduring message of hope and perseverance. 00:30:42.619 --> 00:30:45.160 So the illness started in 2016. That's right. 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:48.880 In August 2016, a mere five years after his stunning 00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:51.480 debut album and just months after releasing changes, 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:54.619 Bradley fell gravely ill. Just terrible timing. 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:57.500 Awful timing. This devastating news forced him 00:30:57.500 --> 00:31:00.000 to kill a planned Canadian tour and an important 00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:02.119 appearance at the prestigious Cambridge Folk 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:04.200 Festival, which was scheduled for July 30th of 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:06.640 that year. This marked the very difficult and 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:08.500 public beginning of his health decline. And it 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:11.279 was cancer. It was. The battle he was fighting 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:13.640 was a formidable and aggressive one. Stomach 00:31:13.640 --> 00:31:17.200 cancer. It was a swift, cruel, and deeply unfair 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:19.259 turn of events for someone who had just found 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:22.420 his true calling, who was finally experiencing 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:24.960 the joy of connecting with so many fans around 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:27.559 the globe, and whose career was at its absolute 00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:30.500 peak. Despite the diagnosis, he famously tried 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:33.140 to continue performing as much as possible, a 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:35.299 true testament to his dedication and love for 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:38.720 his craft and his audience. And sadly, on September 00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:42.519 23, 2017, Charles Bradley passed away in Brooklyn, 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:45.440 New York. at the age of 68. Gone too soon. Way 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:48.059 too soon. The sources tell us that he was surrounded 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:50.819 by his loving family and close friends, a detail 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:53.279 that truly warms the heart, particularly when 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:55.579 you consider his early life of abandonment and 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:58.180 displacement. This intimate scene included members 00:31:58.180 --> 00:32:00.259 of all the bands he'd worked so closely with 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:03.500 during his remarkable, if belated, career. Adaptone 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:06.069 family. Exactly. This detail is particularly 00:32:06.069 --> 00:32:08.289 touching, emphasizing the strong community, the 00:32:08.289 --> 00:32:11.450 profound love, and the deep artistic bonds he 00:32:11.450 --> 00:32:14.769 had fostered in his final glorious years. It 00:32:14.769 --> 00:32:17.390 speaks volumes about the man he was beyond just 00:32:17.390 --> 00:32:19.150 the artist. Definitely. Showing that despite 00:32:19.150 --> 00:32:21.650 a lifetime of hardship and feeling like an outsider, 00:32:21.930 --> 00:32:24.670 he ultimately found deep connection, belonging, 00:32:25.089 --> 00:32:27.769 and an expansive family in his final chapter. 00:32:28.009 --> 00:32:30.549 And what's truly remarkable and a powerful testament 00:32:30.549 --> 00:32:33.450 to his enduring impact is that even after his 00:32:33.450 --> 00:32:36.109 death, Bradley continued to feature on several 00:32:36.109 --> 00:32:38.130 archive recordings. Right, his voice lived on. 00:32:38.369 --> 00:32:40.809 Testifying to the lasting power and ongoing relevance 00:32:40.809 --> 00:32:44.069 of his work, his unique voice brimming with soul 00:32:44.069 --> 00:32:47.029 simply could not be silenced. For instance, a 00:32:47.029 --> 00:32:49.950 posthumous studio album titled Black Velvet was 00:32:49.950 --> 00:32:52.829 released in 2018 by Daptone's Dunham Records. 00:32:53.069 --> 00:32:55.009 Black Velvet, bringing back that old name. Yeah, 00:32:55.130 --> 00:32:58.049 nice touch, right? This album was a meticulously 00:32:58.049 --> 00:33:00.869 curated collection of unreleased tracks, B -sides, 00:33:00.930 --> 00:33:03.569 and alternate takes, providing fans with entirely 00:33:03.569 --> 00:33:05.970 new material and allowing his artistry to continue 00:33:05.970 --> 00:33:08.789 to evolve and be appreciated even beyond his 00:33:08.789 --> 00:33:11.269 lifetime. It felt like a final gift from Charles. 00:33:11.650 --> 00:33:13.420 That's lovely. And there were live recordings, 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:15.920 too. Yes, essential live recordings, such as 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:18.660 a powerful performance from the legendary Apollo 00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:21.140 Theater. Wow, the Apollo again. Full circle. 00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:23.960 Absolutely full circle. Captured as part of the 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:27.000 Dapton Super Soul Revue release. The significance 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:29.619 of this particular venue cannot be overstated, 00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:31.359 bringing his journey right back to the place 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:33.700 of his childhood inspiration, where he first 00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:36.940 saw James Brown. These recordings allow us to 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:39.660 experience his electrifying stage presence and 00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:42.160 the profound connection he made with audiences, 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:45.039 almost as if he were still there performing for 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:47.500 us. And his music kept appearing in other places 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:50.980 too, right? Singles collaborations? It did. His 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:53.460 musical presence continued to be felt powerfully 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:55.720 through posthumous singles and collaborations. 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:58.400 We saw the release of deeply moving tracks like 00:33:58.400 --> 00:34:01.720 Lonely As You Are and Lucifer in 2019, showcasing 00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:04.339 even more of his diverse emotional range. He 00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:06.759 also collaborated on Grant Green with Mr. Jukes 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:10.039 in 2017 and Otis with Eddie Mitchell also in 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:12.719 2017, demonstrating his willingness and ability 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:14.519 to connect with different artists and expand 00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:17.239 his sound even in his final works. And even beyond 00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:20.059 music. Yeah, beyond dedicated music releases. 00:34:20.010 --> 00:34:23.090 his unique voice found its way into various other 00:34:23.090 --> 00:34:25.630 media, demonstrating his broad and surprising 00:34:25.630 --> 00:34:28.730 cultural impact. He lent his distinctive singing 00:34:28.730 --> 00:34:31.110 voice to the character of Krampus in the American 00:34:31.110 --> 00:34:34.690 Dad episode, Minstrel Krampus, in 2013. Huh, 00:34:34.789 --> 00:34:37.010 I don't remember that. A surprising and delightfully 00:34:37.010 --> 00:34:39.150 unexpected appearance that brought his voice 00:34:39.150 --> 00:34:42.230 to a comedic, animated context. His powerful 00:34:42.230 --> 00:34:44.409 song, Ate it a Sin, was prominently featured 00:34:44.409 --> 00:34:47.449 in the Marvel Netflix series, Luke Cage, in 2017. 00:34:47.510 --> 00:34:49.670 Yeah, perfect fit for that show. Bringing his 00:34:49.670 --> 00:34:52.110 raw soul to a whole new generation of viewers 00:34:52.110 --> 00:34:54.369 and perfectly underscoring a pivotal moment in 00:34:54.369 --> 00:34:57.480 the show, and as recently as... 2023, a poignant 00:34:57.480 --> 00:35:00.960 cover of Sixto Rodriguez's I'll Slip Away appeared 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:03.159 on the compilation album Light in the Attic and 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:05.619 Friends. Still reaching people. Constantly. All 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:07.780 these appearances, both planned and posthumous, 00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:10.360 serve to underscore the incredible timeless quality 00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:12.380 of his work and how it continues to resonate 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:14.760 across different platforms and forms of media, 00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:17.380 constantly reaching new listeners and solidifying 00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:19.940 his place as a true soul legend. So as we draw 00:35:19.940 --> 00:35:22.500 to a close on this section, what does all of 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:25.519 this signify? Charles Bradley's life was nothing 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:27.739 short of a master class in human perseverance. 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:30.780 Absolutely. A testament to enduring unimaginable 00:35:30.780 --> 00:35:34.480 hardship with an unbroken spirit. And his death, 00:35:34.659 --> 00:35:37.500 though heartbreakingly premature, didn't silence 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:40.960 his voice. Instead, it solidified his legend, 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:44.119 cementing his place in the pantheon of soul greats. 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:47.199 Well said. His music, his deeply personal stories, 00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:50.039 indomitable spirit, they all continue to inspire 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:52.739 and resonate with profound authenticity, proving 00:35:52.739 --> 00:35:54.559 that true soul, the kind that comes from the 00:35:54.559 --> 00:35:57.340 very core of one's being, is absolutely timeless. 00:35:57.880 --> 00:36:00.059 It's a powerful reminder that some voices are 00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:02.800 simply too profound, too powerful to ever truly 00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:05.500 fade away. Hear, hear, hashtag, hashtag outro. 00:36:05.820 --> 00:36:08.039 We've truly taken a deep dive into the extraordinary, 00:36:08.260 --> 00:36:10.460 often unbelievable life of Charles Bradley today. 00:36:11.150 --> 00:36:13.909 Quite the journey. From his early years of profound 00:36:13.909 --> 00:36:17.030 hardship and utter obscurity through his incredible 00:36:17.030 --> 00:36:19.789 against all odds discovery in his early 50s to 00:36:19.789 --> 00:36:23.269 his meteoric rise as the screaming eagle of soul 00:36:23.269 --> 00:36:26.840 and his truly enduring legacy. You've heard how 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:29.280 every single one of his personal struggles, every 00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:32.260 single tear in triumph, infused every note he 00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:34.800 sang, making his music not just entertaining, 00:36:35.239 --> 00:36:37.880 but profoundly authentic, touching the deepest 00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:40.420 parts of your own soul. And what's truly fascinating 00:36:40.420 --> 00:36:43.800 here is how... Bradley's story transcends the 00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:45.900 realm of just music, doesn't it? It really does. 00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:48.480 It's a powerful, almost mythological narrative 00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:50.400 about the sheer strength of the human spirit 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:53.280 to overcome what seem like insurmountable adversities, 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:56.219 to never, ever give up on a deeply held dream, 00:36:56.219 --> 00:36:59.739 and to ultimately find one's true identity and 00:36:59.739 --> 00:37:01.719 voice, even when it feels like time is rapidly 00:37:01.719 --> 00:37:04.019 running out. His journey truly makes you consider 00:37:04.019 --> 00:37:06.099 the profound, inseparable connection between 00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:08.480 an artist's entire life story and the incredibly 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:10.619 powerful, heartfelt art they create. Yeah, that 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:12.840 link is un - Every crack in his voice, every 00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:15.519 guttural cry was a chapter of his life, a testament 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:18.679 to the journey he undertook. So, as you reflect 00:37:18.679 --> 00:37:21.300 on Charles Bradley's incredible moving life, 00:37:21.739 --> 00:37:25.199 consider this. If we, as a listening and appreciating 00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:28.679 public, only ever knew artists at the absolute 00:37:28.679 --> 00:37:30.960 peak of their fame. Right, the finished product. 00:37:31.219 --> 00:37:34.119 Exactly. How many equally incredible, equally 00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:36.940 inspiring stories of perseverance and truly late 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:39.309 -blooming talent would we completely miss? So 00:37:39.309 --> 00:37:41.369 many probably. And what does that tell us about 00:37:41.369 --> 00:37:44.510 the hidden gems waiting to be discovered or perhaps 00:37:44.510 --> 00:37:46.929 the profound unfulfilled dreams we still hold 00:37:46.929 --> 00:37:49.050 within ourselves just waiting for their moment 00:37:49.050 --> 00:37:51.590 to take flight? That's a powerful thought to 00:37:51.590 --> 00:37:53.969 leave with. His journey truly makes us question 00:37:53.969 --> 00:37:57.130 the value we place on instant gratification versus 00:37:57.130 --> 00:37:59.409 the enduring power of a life patiently lived 00:37:59.409 --> 00:38:00.670 and authentically expressed.