Renowned session guitarist Carlos Alomar recently opened up about why he was let go by the legendary James Brown. Reflecting on his brief yet impactful eight-month tenure with Brown in the late 1960s, Alomar shared valuable lessons from the experience that shaped his future musical career.
During his time touring the East Coast with Brown, Alomar quickly realized the soul icon’s demanding work ethic. Brown was known for his precision and expected his band members to follow his cues flawlessly. Alomar recalled one particular incident that led to his dismissal:
“James kept saying, ‘We’re gonna take it to the bridge,’ but I knew I had to wait for his cue. Then he spun around and said, ‘Hit me.’ Unfortunately, I missed the cue completely,” Alomar admitted with a laugh.
At the time, Alomar didn’t think much of the mistake. However, he was in for an eye-opening surprise when he went to collect his paycheck, noticing part of his earnings had been docked. That’s when he became acquainted with Brown’s strict code of discipline.
“I noticed $20 missing from my pay and asked about it. The guy told me, ‘Yeah, Mr. Brown said you didn’t hit back.’ I was quick on my feet, though. My father had taught me a mantra: ‘If you can’t explain it, defend it.’ So I tried to talk my way through it… but I was fired.”
Though the experience was brief, it left a lasting impression on Alomar, providing him with valuable lessons in professionalism and discipline that he carried into the rest of his illustrious career.
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