Kelly Brown as he was popularly known was born Abdulkadir Mohammed Ali Bux in Mombasa . He did his early schooling in Mombasa at Arab School and Mvita school .The first in a big family, Kelly Brown was an inspiration to many young children growing up in Mombasa then.

Nicknamed Kale Khan, meaning the 'Black Khan', Kelly grew up as a sport enthusiast  with a great interest in cycling, in which he was a champion, winning a number of local races.

Musically he idolised the then Pop Idols, Elvis Presley, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Beatles etc. He started as a dancer in competitions and performed at most musical events in Mombasa , not as a Singer, but as a Dancer. He later tried his luck in singing, and gradually started performing in local nite spots such as Central Night Club and Rocco Bar. At around this time competition was high in the Club circuits in Mombasa as Ismail Jingo of the 'FEVER' fame and Feisal Brown were also stepping onto the local scene.

Kale Khan now adopted the name Cally. He was a regular feature in the local papers photographed down on his knees, microphone in hand a whole load of Hair on his head, that one wondered if it was getting heavier by the day for his neck.

Mombasa was getting too small and the Stage overcrowded so Mr Cally, moved upcountry, destination; The Big City in the Sun, Nairobi .

In Nairobi he adopted the name 'Cally The Bushman', Kenya's first Celebrity Superstar, he had everything the big stage required, style, stage presence, voice, looks and of course all the hype that goes with celebrity status.

'Cally the Bushman', was just the kind of Star Nairobi was longing for. He found his base with Jack, a prominent Night Club Entrepreneur and launched his career at the Bonanza Night Club on Koinange Street, today popularly known as New Florida Night Club and as fate may have it , the Club today is managed by Kelly Brown's younger brother Abdul Aziz 'Steve'.

Kelly had a dream and set his goals high, soon he threw a very big farewell Bash at Bonanza and off he moved to Europe.

Like any African act in Europe then, 'Cally the Bushman', was a hot commodity in Pubs and Clubs in the European Circuit. He moved from place to place finally setting anchor in Germany and changed his name, for Image and Marketing, from 'Cally the Bushman' to'Kelly Brown', I guess the name Brown after his idol James Brown, though he always said Brown as the Tan Colour of his Skin.

Kelly always stuck to his African Roots, proudly performing at most Kenyan functions abroad and as a true patriot of Kenya, always branding the National colours, Red, Green and Black with our famous white strips.

In 1973 Kelly Brown organised a home coming trip. He landed in Nairobi and released his single, ‘Something is Wrong’, originally performed by Sam & Dave, and released his cover version of ‘Funky Stuff’ by Kool & the Gang.

After a number of Guest appearances in Clubs, Hotels, TV and Radio, Kelly realised the Music scene had changed in Kenya . Kenyans had moved away from doing cover versions and were into their own thing.

A genius at understanding the market Kelly released his first local hit, ‘ Asante ya Punda’, followed by a patriotic song ‘Kenya Nchi Yetu’, followed closely by  ‘Higher’ which was an instant Hit both locally and abroad.

There was no stopping the 'Bushman' , he was in it and stayed above it. His old rival Ismail Jingo was right there, releasing 'Fever', and a new kid in the block, Slim Ali, came with a knockout album, ‘You can do it’, with a follow up album ‘Sweet Mother’.

Kenyan Music was at its best again, having been low after the 50’s & 60's super performances and compositions of the likes of Fadhili Williams, Daudi Kabaka, Ashantis, Air Fiesta Matata, Hallians Band, Bongo Boys, Les Yoyos and Juma Toto and the Hodi Boys. Kelly Brown set the ball rolling again in the 70’s. seting theKenyan Music scene alight. The Radio DJ’s had, once again, something to be proud of as their own.

His travels shuttled him between his base in Stuttgart and Nairobi regularly, and every time Kelly was in Nairobi  he performed for the orphans and disabled and always did a charity Gig in aid of the less fortunate. He beleived in giving back to the needy in terms of talent, as it brings a smile to the faces of millions who are not as lucky as some of us.

What was to be Kelly Brown’s Mega Kenyan tour and Documentary Film shoot on the tour, was never to be. Kelly Brown, was found dead in his apartment in Stuttgart , West Germany , after weeks of speculation to his whereabouts. The News swept across the Nation like bushfire, Kenyans woke up to the shocking news with disbelief.

Many fingers were pointed and lots of theories involving his mysterious death rang out, but to date many questions remain unanswered. What killed Kelly Brown was it a natural death or was it as they say "Mysterious circumstances".

The Entertainment company, Jambo Entertainment and Promotions Ltd, that was arranging his last tour and documentary, together with close friends both in Kenya and West Germany and with the assistance of Embassy officials, arranged to repatriate his remains. He was buried at the Muslim Cemetery on Station Road Mombasa in a funeral attended by thousands of Artistes, musicians, government official, politicians and fans.

His Last release ‘Can’t Get Enough’, went on to do very well in Europe .