The Night James Brown Saved Boston

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated 40 years ago today. Because of the work of several courageous and clever people, Boston avoided most of the rioting that overwhelmed most major cities. Boston's only black city councilor, Tom Atkins, and Kevin White, mayor, arranged to have the April 5 James Brown concert broadcast on the city's public broadcasting station, Channel 2, WGBH. The streets were quiet that night as thousands stayed home to watch the show.

VH1 will broadcast a documentary about the events around and on that night. See Rock Docs : The Night James Brown Saved Boston for more info. WGBH's Greater Boston had a story about the movie and the night. VH1 will release the movie, along with WGHB's concert footage, on DVD.