, Staff Writer
Fifty-three years ago, on April 5th, 1968, James Brown had a hard decision to make. Would he take the stage at the Boston Garden, or would the show be canceled? It was the night after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. People all around the country were heartbroken and angry. At a time when racial tensions in our country were at an all-time high, James Brown decided to be seen. That night, he played one of the best and most important shows of his life.
SCRAMBLING BEFORE THE SHOW
Earlier that day, the young Mayor Kevin White was contemplating how to best keep the city safe. Already having seen the riots take place the night before, he was afraid of the violence continuing at Brown’s concert. At first, he thought it best to cancel the show entirely. That morning, city council member Thomas Atkins received a call from the beloved radio host, James “Early” Byrd of WILD, saying that word was out that the show might be canceled and that it would be a mistake to do so. Atkins came together with Mayor White and convinced him not to cancel the show, the city needed James Brown. He even proposed televising the concert so people all over Boston could experience it. Atkins and White convinced WGBH to televise the show, no small feat for a station that had primarily only broadcasted live Pops and other symphony concerts.