Hundreds of Chuck Brown fans turned out in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday (29May12) to pay their respects to the late funk pioneer at a public viewing.
The singer, nicknamed the Godfather of Go-Go, passed away on 16 May (12) in a Baltimore, Maryland hospital after losing his battle with pneumonia.
His memorial is scheduled for Thursday (31May12), but fans flocked to a public viewing at the Howard Theatre on Tuesday.
Brown's body was dressed in a suit, sunglasses and his signature fedora as he lay in his casket, which was behind a velvet rope at the venue.
District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray called Brown "one of the greatest assets the city has ever had", and mourners were greeted by the late star's stepdaughter, KK Brown.
She said, "He loved everybody. (If he could see this) he would be crying."