On this special day I'll share video of an amazing televised 1968 James Brown concert at the Boston Garden that is credited with muzzling rioting in Boston in the wake of the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The splicing/editing of this series of clips is very choppy but it's worth tolerating as Brown delivers fantastic performances throughout.
Pay special attention about 65 minutes in when Boston Mayor Kevin White pleads with the crowd and local television audience to make "Dr. King's dreams a reality in Boston. This is our city and its future is in our hands -- tonight, tomorrow and the days that follow. Martin Luther King loved this city and it's up to our generation to prove his faith in us. So all I ask you tonight is this, to let us look at each other, here in the Gardens and back at home, and pledge that no matter what any other community might do, we in Boston will honor Dr. King in peace."
If anyone needs proof music can unite, this is it. Peace be with all of us.