Imus asked me if I knew Fats Domino. Like all black people know each other. Lucky for Imus I do know all black people.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 James Brown?? I knew him when he was just starting out. He was a hard worker but he wasn’t the hardest working man in show business yet. Back then dry cleaning was expensive and James would sweat a lot. I was the stage manager at a theater in Brooklyn. James was performing. I said, “ Hey Mr. Brown. My name is Tony. Anything you need just ask for Tony.” He said, “I could use some more towels. I’m sweating like an African mother of two in front Madonna’s limo. I’m sweating like Adam Lambert eating a hot dog. I’m sweating like Don Imus reading a spot for Dark and Lovely hair relaxer.” I said, “who?” Because I hadn’t met Imus yet. Then I said, “No Problem Mr. Brown”. He said, “Thank you Timmy.” I said, “Tony. My name is Tony.” James was bad with names. So James is doing the show and he’s drenched and he starts yelling, “Terry! Tommy! Every time he called out a name the band would toot the horns so I thought he was talking to the band. Then he looked at me and screamed, “Heyyyyyyy!!” I pointed at myself and said, “Me??” and the band said, “ Yeah!!” Then the MC comes over and asks me if I have any more towels. I said no. Then I look on the stage and James is sitting on the floor in a cold sweat. I said, James you ok? He said, “ I don’t feel good. I’m sweating too much. I’m thinking I’m gonna lose my job. So I gave the MC a table cloth and told him to put it on his back and let him dry himself off” James wiped himself off and goy up off the floor and the audience went crazy. After the show James wanted me to tour with him. I said no. He said, Please, please, please. I said when you leaving. He said that they were leaving on the night train. I said , “ Tony got to get a new bag.” Then I looked at all the people he had with him and realized he couldn’t pay me what I was worth so I said, Sorry James. I can’t do no more. You better get on the good foot and get on outta here.” That cape thing became famous. Not even a mention in the will.
