Sweet Charles Sherrell obit

 

"Sweet Charles" Sherrell, music director for James Brown, dies at age 80

He was not on the list.

(March 30, 2023) 2023 has been a difficult year for fans of classic soul and funk, who have lost many of the greats of the 1960s,70s and 80s. And, unfortunately, the hits keep coming. Today we are sad to report the passing of legendary bassist “Sweet Charles" Sherrell, best known for his time playing with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. He was 80 years old.

Sherrell's family posted the following today on his Facebook page:

Charles has hung in there amazingly long in good spirits battling lung emphysema, but his heart couldn’t cope anymore.

“I’m having no pain or nothing, just shortness of breath.

There are people much worse off than I am.

I’ve had a wonderful life.

Love my family, love my true friends who stuck by me till the end.

Thank you.

May god bless you.“

The Tennessee-bord Sherrell began his musical career as a trombonist and drummer, but taught himself to play the bass on a used instrument he bought at a pawn shop. By the mid-60s he had improved sufficiently that he played a number of dates with Aretha Franklin. But his big break came in 1968, when he joined the best funk band around, the JB’s, the players who worked with the very exacting taskmaster, James Brown.

Sherrell pioneered the funk guitar, using his thumping style to provide new urgency to the instrument, and giving a fresh sound to Brown’s numerous late 60s hits like “Say It Loud.”

Sherrell quit the band in 1970 due to a financial dispute, and was replaced by Bootsy Collins. He issued his one and only solo album in 1974, For Sweet People From Sweet Charles, before retuning to the JB the fold in 1976, becoming Brown’s music director. He continued in that role for two decades before quitting again in 1996... He then joined the band of former JB bandmate Maceo Parker for another decade, touring well into the new millennium. Throughout this time, Sherrell was a sought-after bassist who worked with such artists at Take 6, Al Green and Snoop Dogg.

He was a musical giant who influenced two generations of funk musicians. And though his name wasn't well-known by casual fans, his pioneering work changed the game.