ATLANTA — Atlanta mourns the loss of a true legend in the drag community after Mr. Charlie Brown, a pioneer and reformer, suddenly died on Thursday.
Surrounded by loved ones, including his husband Fred Wise, Brown passed away following complications of a heart valve replacement surgery at Piedmont Hospital. He was 74.
According to the owner, Richard Ramey, a toast is planned for 9 p.m. at the Atlanta Eagle, and staff and patrons are gathering to celebrate Brown's life. The bar entertainment level where Brown last performed will be dark from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. to honor the late queen.
"He was a light in our community and the light may have gone out but he will live forever because of what he gave us all," Ramey said.
More on Mr. Charlie Brown's career
Born Charles H. Dillard in rural Siloam, Tennessee, in 1949, Brown's journey into drag began unexpectedly while working at a Nashville hotel in the late 1960s. There, he was christened with his iconic drag name, "Charlie Brown," a moniker that would resonate throughout the drag scene for decades to come.
Brown's career in Atlanta began in 1974 with an impromptu performance at Sweet Gum Head nightclub. His rendition of Della Reese's "You Came a Long Way From St. Louis" captivated audiences and earned him an immediate job offer. Thus began a 50-year love affair between Brown and the city of Atlanta.
Throughout his illustrious career, Brown graced stages at renowned venues such as Illusions, Charlie Brown's Cabaret at Underground Atlanta, Lips Atlanta, and the Atlanta Eagle. However, he is best remembered for his 14-year tenure as the headliner at Charlie Brown's Cabaret, where he entertained countless patrons and celebrities alike, including Janet Jackson, Sylvester Stallone, and Sir Elton John.
In 2022, Brown was honored with the Phoenix Award, Atlanta's highest civilian honor, for his lifetime of LGBTQ+ activism, entertainment, and AIDS fundraising efforts. Accepting the award alongside his husband, Fred Wise, Brown expressed gratitude to the city of Atlanta for its unwavering support throughout the years.
A prolific figure both on and off the stage, Brown recently completed work on his memoir, "B***h of the South: How I Survived Vietnam, the AIDS Crisis, and MAGA Drag Bans," co-authored with Atlanta journalist Richard L. Eldredge. The book is set to be released later this year in commemoration of Brown's 75th birthday.
Beyond his contributions to the drag community, Brown was a staunch advocate for gay rights and a dedicated fundraiser for AIDS charities. In 2023, he penned an editorial condemning Tennessee's drag ban, highlighting the dangers it posed to the LGBTQ+ community.
As Atlanta prepares to bid farewell to a beloved icon, friends, family, and fans are encouraged to stay updated via the official Mr. Charlie Brown and Atlanta Eagle Facebook pages.