This past weekend a pioneer in early R&B, Tommy Brown, was laid to rest. As previously reported by rolling out, Brown was a popular entertainer during the heyday of Atlanta’s nightlife and had hits that saw him reach No. 1 on the Billboard R&B charts of the 1950s both in America and Europe. His big hit was “Weepin and Cryin” that gave him the moniker “Weepin and Cryin” Tommy Brown. One of his early hits “Atlanta Boogie,” which was released in 1949 calls out the names of the areas that featured the Black Atlanta life at that time:
“ Yes, Atlanta boogie, boogie woogie all night long
Well, Atlanta boogie, boogie woogie all night long
Yes, Atlanta boogie, where the cats really come on strong
On West Harbor Street, well, on Decatur Street
On Auburn Avenue, well, there’s no one blue
Yes, that’s the place for you
Come on down, while we boogie woogie all night long”
So it was no surprise that at Brown’s funeral, that was the processional song. Brown was also a comedian and he played his final joke when his tune “Weepin and Cryin” began to play at a somber moment. The mourners began to hear Brown’s song that featured him crying inconsolably into the microphone. Family and friends laughed quietly as we all realized that was typical of Brown’s humor.
Many in attendance were pioneers of the early days of the Black Atlanta entertainment circuit that included Sandra Hall, Eddie Tigner, Albert White and many others that Brown performed on stage with over the years. Sandra Hall told the story of Brown and the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown, getting into a physical confrontation over closing a show. The show was eventually closed by Otis Redding to allow the show to continue that night. A moving a cappella version of “Trouble of the World” was performed by blues powerhouse vocalist Betty “Sweet Betty” Echols, a lifelong friend of Brown.
Brown received a full honor guard by the Clayton County Sheriff’s Department because of his community service and acknowledgement of his contribution to the music legacy of Georgia. In addition, full military honors were rendered by the United States Marine Corps, in which he served during the Korean War.
