10 Live Covers Of Hard Rock Songs You Need To Hear

The story of Charles Bradley is one of a man who spent the majority of his musical career in the realms of obscurity. Working a variety of odd jobs, he supplemented his income via a string of small club performances, working as a James Brown impersonator. In 2011, at the age of 63, Bradley released his debut album No Time For Dreaming. Over the next few years he blew up, receiving critical acclaim for his inspired performances and a voice that encapsulated all the emotion of a long and difficult life.

Bradley was not familiar with the music of Black Sabbath, but a friend recommended he do a cover of 1972 ballad Changes, and he felt a real connection with the lyrics. After hearing this cover, you can’t help but think this song was written for him. Into every word of the song, Bradley injects all of the pain, suffering and loss experienced by a hard life; screaming in a James Brown style at times and welling up with emotion at others.

Sadly, Charles Bradley passed away just six years after making it big, dying of stomach cancer in 2017. His late rise to stardom solidified him as being one of the greatest embodiments of the saying ‘it’s never too late to live your dreams’.

Thank God this man received the recognition he deserved before his death. He left us with some truly special music.