( CNN ) -- Funk fans started each Chuck Brown concert with a chant , `` Wind me up , Chuck . '' From there they would be treated to guitar riffs , driving percussion and other rhythm instruments that left them dancing to the beat . Brown , who died Wednesday at 75 , was the `` Godfather of Go-Go , '' a genre blending funk , jazz and soul and other musical forms . `` Go-Go , '' 40 years after its founding , remains especially popular in its hometown of Washington , D.C. `` The groove and vibe he created was unparalleled , '' said manager Tom Goldfogle . `` All of his performances were a journey with the audience . '' Brown engaged in a call-and-response dialogue with fans , ensuring their interaction with each set . He last performed in early March and had been hospitalized for about four weeks . Brown died of multiple-organ failure from sepsis at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore , Goldfogle said . With the Soul Searchers , Brown had a big hit in the 1970s with `` Bustin ' Loose . '' The guitarist and singer was a familiar figure on stage with his brim hat and sunglasses , creating `` the beat '' for dancers . `` Go-Go '' referred to a sound continuing from one song to the next . `` Chuck would describe it as nonstop percussive bass music with its roots in Latin , African and funk , '' said Goldfogle . `` He added his blues and jazz elements . '' While Brown performed worldwide , his most loyal fan base was in Washington . District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray , in a tweet , paid tribute to the gravel-voiced Brown . `` What a loss , '' his message concluded . Fans gathered Wednesday evening at the recently restored Howard Theatre in Washington to celebrate Brown 's life . A local radio station played music while people danced in the street . Brown competed with disco and later had an influence on local hip-hop artists , Goldfogle told CNN . `` They would do hip-hop songs with a 'Go-Go ' feel , '' he said . In 2010 , Brown received his first Grammy nomination , in collaboration with Jill Scott and Marcus Miller , for `` Love . '' A 2007 album , `` We 're About the Business , '' included the singles `` Block Party '' and Chuck Baby . '' Brown , according to his manager , played to several generations . `` His music is loved as much by the grandmother , as the mother , or the daughter , '' Goldfogle said . According to CNN affiliate WJLA , Brown had recently postponed numerous shows due to failing health . Funeral arrangements were pending . `` His family continues to be grateful for the outpouring of love and support and requests respect for their privacy during this difficult time , '' Goldfogle said in a statement . Survivors include Brown 's wife , Jocelyn , sons Nekos , Wiley and Bill , and daughter Takesa . CNN 's Jane Caffrey and Skip Nocciolo contributed to this report .
Manager speaks about Brown 's influence . Performer Chuck Brown dies at 75 . - May : `` Go-Go '' is a form of funk and soul .