The sudden loss of Chadwick Boseman was a horrible shock this weekend. We loved him as James Brown in Get On Up! before he did Black Panther Chadwick was only 43, but he had accomplished a LOT in his short life. Sad to think how sick he was during most of his career. He’s pictured here with Mick Jagger, whose Production Company was responsible for Get On Up! Mick loved Chadwick’s performance in the film.
Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA
In real life, handsome Chadwick Boseman looks NOTHING like James Brown and we cannot imagine what kind of facial appliances were used in the movie “Get on Up” to give him Brown’s face. Now Chadwick can walk through the airport unmolested, but after he’s nominated for an Oscar, those days will be over.
Photo Credit: AKM-GSI
Get On Up! is one of the best movies of the year! And who ISN’T a fan of James Brown’s music? We never realized what a dreadful childhood Brown endured – he was thrust into adulthood with no education and limited knowledge of ethics. Yet he went on to become of the greatest all time entertainers. Chadwick Boseman captures Brown perfectly and played him from the ages of 17 to 63. His hairstyles and wardrobe are perfection. We were lucky to meet James Brown backstage after a performance during the 60’s in the south side of Chicago. (During the show we caught the turquoise rhinestone cufflink he threw to the audience. And we still have it. ) Backstage, James’ southern accent was difficult to understand, but he was friendly and showed us his wardrobe and his beauty secrets, including pink foam hair rollers. He always wore Cuban heel boots and high hair because he was short. Boseman didn’t need the heels because he’s 6 feet tall. This is a fascinating story of Brown’s contradictory behavior and many political and cultural issues of the era are covered. And it’s hard to resist dancing in the aisles!
This James Brown biopic “Get On Up!” that’s being produced by Mick Jagger and Brian Grazer, sounds really fascinating. They’re now filming in Natchez, Mississippi, and Mick has been seen around town by startled locals. Chadwick Boseman (who starred as Jackie Robinson in “42”) is playing James, and we assume he’s mastered the art of doing the splits. Hair will be a significant part of this movie and that reminds us of a story. Back in the 60’s, James Brown appeared at a theater on the South Side of Chicago. We couldn’t WAIT to see him. When he threw his rhinestone cufflinks into the screaming audience, we caught one and still have it. The best part is, we went backstage after the show to meet him and he couldn’t have been nicer. He proudly showed us his amazing wardrobe. His hair was sopping wet from performing and he nonchalantly rolled it up in pink foam curlers and sat under a hair dryer so it would be fluffy for the next show. He was a fast talker and a hard worker and we loved him and memorized his dance moves.
