After suffering from bouts of stomach and liver cancer, Charles Bradley, the Screaming Eagle of Soul, is dead at 68. A former James Brown impersonator and late-in-life star, Bradley quickly became renowned for his heartfelt vocals and lively performances, becoming both a festival favorite and mainstay.

A rep for Bradley issued the following statement:

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Charles Bradley. Always a fighter, Charles battled cancer with everything he had. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2016 and underwent treatment. Bradley headed out on the road earlier this year after receiving a clean bill of health but the cancer recently returned, spreading to his liver. Thank you for your prayers during this difficult time. Mr. Bradley was truly grateful for all the love he’s received from his fans and we hope his message of love is remembered and carried on.”

When a musician or celebrity passes away, I usually try not to comment here unless I feel like it’s hit me personally. This one has. I had the privilege of finally seeing Bradley at Boston Calling in 2016 and everything I had heard about his live performance was true. The second he opened his mouth and sang those first notes, it sliced through me. His struggles growing up, his pain, his love—his entire story was delivered vocally and it hit me like a brick to the face. It was one of the few times I’ve teared up at a live show; he had a way of charging you with empathic powers, captivating your senses and commandeering your soul. You felt his feels and he felt yours. Rarely is the audience/performer connection that strong, that instantaneous. That’s why I say it was a privilege to have seen the Screaming Eagle live. And I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.

Bradley’s music was a taut mix of love ballads that faced change and sadness head on. Alternating these with turbulent ragers that celebrated life and happiness and survival, Bradley’s music covered the spectrum of what it meant to live a full and meaningful life, with all the highs and lows in between.

Born on November 5th, 1948 in Florida, Bradley’s mother moved him to Brooklyn when he was 8. At 14, Bradley left home and became homeless, crashing on the subway for warmth. “I was afraid that she was going to hurt me, so I left,” Bradley said of his mother in the 2012 documentary Charles Bradley: Soul of America. “We couldn’t see eye to eye and I was getting blamed for everything, so I was very bitter.”

In 1962, everything changed for the singer when his sister took him to see James Brown at the historical Apollo Theater in Harlem. He was just 14 years old. The show set Bradley on a new path; he would later find success in New York as a James Brown impersonator named Black Velvet.

Charles Bradley as Black Velvet: A Tribute to James Brown [LIVE]

Charles Bradley as Black Velvet: A Tribute to James Brown, backed by Jimmy Hill & The Allstarz Band, live at Manhattan’s Hiro Ballroom on January 28, 2012. Bradley and crew perform It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World, Papa Don’t Take No Mess, Cold Sweat and more.

Bradley’s music is about compassion, love, change, and working on your own sense of self. Of trying to understand others. Of unity. It’s all of these things that our country is so desperately lacking right now in this political climate. I’ll miss all of these things about him.

Here are some of my favorite tracks. Rest in peace, Charles.

His Black Sabbath cover, “Changes”:

OFFICIAL VIDEO: Charles Bradley “Changes”

From Charles Bradley’s latest album, Changes, out now!

Strong James Brown vibes on “Ain’t It A Sin”:

OFFICIAL VIDEO: Charles Bradley “Ain’t It A Sin”

Charles Bradley’s new album, Changes, is out now.

“The World (is Going Up in Flames)”:

Charles Bradley – The World (Is Going Up In Flames)

Official music video for Charles Bradley (feat. Menahan Street Band) – The World (Is Going Up In Flames). Download on iTunes: http://georiot.co/7tP Subscribe: http://bit.ly/QzHcrb Director: Poull Brien Producer: Alex Brough Camera: Jon Chen, Stu McCardle © 2011 Daptone Records

“You Put the Flame On It”: 

Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires – You Put the Flame On It (Live on KEXP)

http://KEXP.ORG presents Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires performing “You Put the Flame On It” live on KEXP from the Bumbershoot Music Lounge. Recorded August 31, 2013. Audio Engineer: Kevin Suggs Cameras: Jim Beckmann, Scott Holpainen, Justin Wilmore, Patrick Richardson Wright Editor: Luke Knecht http://kexp.org

“Heartaches and Pain”:

Charles Bradley – Heartaches and Pain (Live on KEXP)

Charles Bradley, backed by The Menahan Street Band, performs “Heartaches and Pain” live from Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop in Austin, TX, during KEXP’s broadcast at SXSW. Recorded 3/17/2011. host: Cheryl Waters engineer: Kevin Suggs Cameras: Jim Beckmann, Shelly Corbett, Scott Holpainen and Christopher Meister editing: Jim Beckmann