Charles Bradley Gives His Heart and Soul to The Roxy

His life is one the best writers couldn’t imagine. Raised by his grandmother and then a mom who lacked necessary means, Charles Bradley left home at fourteen, slept in subway cars and hitchhiked across the US. All the while, a song played in his heart thanks to the one light in his childhood – seeing James Brown at the Apollo Theater in 1962. Years later, he would make a living impersonating The Godfather of Soul. Bradley always had a spark but didn’t release anything mainstream until, proving it’s never too late to start living.

Born in Florida, Bradley stayed there until he was eight and his mother took him from his grandmother and headed to New York. Realizing it was not the best situation; he took off and made his own way by doing odd jobs. He did everything from cooking to playing small shows. When he was 48-years-old his mother convinced him to head back to the Big Apple. Having already lived enough for a dozen people, he went through so much more in his time back. Bradley almost died after an allergic reaction and suffered the loss of his brother, who was murdered down the street from his mother’s home.

People love a good story and Bradley has one of the best. No one likes to hear of the well-off guy who grew up in the business. While there are a handful of those out there on the charts today, that obviously wasn’t the case for the man who has seen and done it all and somehow managed to make a name for himself despite all the hardships. His ability to overcome landed him a deal with Daptone Records and it was there that he created his style that was a throwback to the funk and soul of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

At 54 Bradley released his first single, “Take It As It Come, Pt. 1.” Almost a decade later he released his debut, “No Time For Dreaming.” From that point on he cranked out another, 2013’s “Victim of Love.” In between those records he found himself the subject of the documentary “Soul of America” that premiered at that year’s South by Southwest. Watching Bradley live is an experience. One not only sees a man onstage with talent, but a man who fought long and hard to be up there. Audiences can feel that fight and it makes his performances that much better.

Charles Bradley plays The Roxy April 18. Tickets can be purchased here.