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James Brown Obituary
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Anita
February 16, 2018
Grandpa, I wish I could hear you play that trumpet, I wish I could laugh at your jokes. I want to just sit down somewhere and talk to you, talk about everything. I miss you so much grandpa.
Doug Marcus
March 26, 2017
Never forget seeing Rio at the Telemark, first lounge show I ever saw. Reminded of this ever time I hear "Baker Street" on the radio and how Rio blew the Telemark crowd away with his rendition of it with his trumpet solo. When my dad saw Rio outside in his cowboy gear the next day we were even more impressed.
Anonymous Anonymous
July 23, 2016
Dear James. You're not forgotten and never will be. You're are forever loved, respected and honored. You're music lives on in the generations to come and even further down the line. You are always in thought and in heart. Its been nearly 10 years and I will never EVER forget about you.
Tim Belden
December 31, 2006
Jimmy Brown, or "Rio Pardo", as we knew him, came through Minneapolis in 1976 looking for a band to take on the road. We had been playing in bands for years, but we were as green as could be and still in our teens. We answered the ad and he came over to check us out. One week later we were on the road with Rio! He would refer to us as "his boys" for the next 30 years.
He taught us a lot more than that long list of songs that he would draw from each night. He taught us what it meant to be a true "entertainer". He wouldn’t put himself above others. He would treat people with kindness and respect. He could make people feel like they were his best friend and it didn't matter if he had just met you or if he had met you once, twenty years ago. He loved people as much as he did entertaining them. He did this naturally.
His love of performing and his career kept him traveling most of his life, but in the last part of his life I saw him take root on his farm in Ogilvie and again in Maple Grove. Having found Mary, the love of his life, he grew into a devoted husband and family man. Although they didn’t have a lot of money, they were putting the grandchildren through college. He loved to talk about his grandchildren and all of their accomplishments! Finding family as your highest reward in life is not always found in the world of entertainers, but that’s what I saw in him in his last years.
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Susan Lyman
December 29, 2006
I have just read these notes and am so full of grand memories of Rio. He was generous with his talent and his heart. Yes, he has marched right in to Home as it is his due as a saint to do so. I love you Rio and am so grateful to feel the joy that you have shared.
Margaret and Gregory Morton
December 28, 2006
Our deepest sympathy to the Brown family.You will be in our prayers.
Gary Crandall
December 26, 2006
Rio,
Thanks for all the rocking good times at Telemark Lodge in Cable. You got us all up and that nightclub floor was swaying to your great musical expressions.
Carry on in the life beyond - the Saints will be marching in to your lead from now on
Bob Lightfoot
December 26, 2006
I was lucky enough to know Rio and play bass for him for half a year in 1983 as the house band at Telemark Lodge, and after that at the Downtown Lounge on Superior Street in Duluth and The Zoo in Superior. Rio was very kind to me and I've never forgotten it. I learned alot from his incredible talent about music and life and have fond memories of our drives from his farm outside Cable to Duluth and Superior to play those gigs. I'm a better person for having known Rio and my best wishes and sympathies go out to his family.
Lesley and Lonzo Crosby and family
December 26, 2006
You Were "The Godfather of Soul" and you blessed the world with your talents. My prayers are with the family. We have all lost a prescious member of our families.
a barnes
December 26, 2006
Thank you for your great presence on this earth. We now know that the Lord needs you to entertain in Heaven.
drezden (grandson) brown
December 25, 2006
i miss u very much grandpa. i love u grandpa and miss u very much. i was crying for u. thats all i have to say right now
JAIME BROWN
December 25, 2006
Daddy the waddy, I love you so much and will forever miss your constant encouragement and wisdome, you have always been my hero, love Jaime the lamey
Peter Grendysa
December 24, 2006
A true pioneer of R&B, Jimmy's long career included work with Ella Fitzgerald, Nipsey Russell, Buddy Johnson, Redd Foxx, and Hucklebuck Williams. More than that, he was a true, kind friend, and I will deeply miss him .
Mark Leraan
December 24, 2006
Godspeed Rio..Thank you for being a meaningful musical influence in my life. Rio could swing hard on a stage! I have fond memories of this man. Rio could light up a room! My best to family.
kenda helal
December 24, 2006
Dad, as I sit here reading different things that people have written,and some of the names being familier,the article in the paper i think of some of our last conversations and can't erase the image of you playing on many occasions as 'THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN' and I can see you playing that one right into those pearly white gates. May you now rest in peace and be with James.Love Kenda
Beverly Mansfield
December 24, 2006
God Bless Rio,s family and friends. I will never forget how many times I followed that talent around the block. He will truly fit in to God's big band.
Kathie Petersen
December 23, 2006
Not only was he an excellent musician but also a top notch showman. You couldn't help but have a good time, wherever Rio Pardo performed.
Tom Cleveland
December 22, 2006
I remember James Earl Brow (Rio Pardo) well, when, as a graduate of Duluth Central High School, class of 1973 he performed for the school. A great musician and person. God bless him and his family.
Sue (Brown) Stevens
December 22, 2006
Because of the business that Rio brought into the Hotel Duluth I got my start as a bartender. I will never forget him standing on the bar above where I was pouring drinks. He scared me for a bit. He will be fondly remembered. My thoughts go out to his wife and family.
Tony Wiarda
December 21, 2006
A great musician mentor and friend. His knowledge of music passed on to me, enriched my life,
Condolences to Jamie and Mary.
joan DeVault
December 21, 2006
I was the hostess at Black Bear lounge at the time Rio played there...Hot or Cold outside we all followed him. A marvelous musician..Condolences to Mary and the rest of his family
Tom and Linda Vukelich
December 21, 2006
Rio Pardo was playing at the Black Bear ( the former Hotel Duluth) on July 8 1972 where we had our wedding reception in the Morrish room. Rio's trade mark "snake dance " took nearly all the people from our party through the lobby on onto the street. A memory which Linda and I will never forget! God Bless you Rio and my you start the Snake Dance in you next life.
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