The Brook Brothers

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The Brook Brothers were an English pop duo comprised of Geoff Brook (born Geoffrey Brook, 12 April 1943, Winchester, Hampshire) and Ricky Brook (born 24 October 1940, Winchester, Hampshire).[1]

The Brook Brothers started out as a skiffle group in 1956, and after winning a local talent show, changed their look and sound to approximate the style of The Everly Brothers.[2] They signed to Top Rank Records in 1960 and released a cover of the song "Greenfields" by The Brothers Four in 1960. The tune was a hit in Italy but attracted little notice in their home country.[2] After a few more singles were released, they switched to Pye Records, and their second release, "Warpaint" (written by Howard Greenfield and Barry Mann), became a UK Top 5 hit. This song was also recorded by Bill Haley, among others.

Following the single's success they released a full-length album and toured with Cliff Richard and Bobby Rydell.[2] They took part in the annual NME Readers' Poll-Winners Concert at London's Wembley Pool on 15 April 1962.[3] They were Produced by a young Tony Hatch, and made an appearance in the film, It's Trad, Dad. The Brook Brothers entered A Song For Europe for the 1962 Eurovision Song Contest, but did not advance in the contest.

The group's popularity faded as The Beatles's sound became more popular, and they left public view by 1965. Their entire cache of Pye recordings was reissued on CD by Castle Music in the 1990s.

[edit] Singles

1960 "Greenfields" - Top Rank Records
1960 "Please Help Me I'm Falling" b/w "When Will I Be Loved?" - Top Rank
1961 "Warpaint" - Pye Records 7N 15333 - UK #5
1961 "Ain't Gonna Wash for a Week" - Pye 7N 15369 - UK #13
1962 "He's Old Enough to Know Better" - Pye 7N 15409 - UK #37
1962 "Welcome Home Baby" - Pye 7N 15453 - UK #33
1963 "Trouble Is My Middle Name"- Pye 7N 15498 - UK #38
[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums, 19th, London: Guinness World Records Limited, p. 79. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  2. ^ a b c Bruce Eder, The Brook Brothers at All Music Guide
  3. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years, 1st, London: Reed International Books Ltd, p. 105. CN 5585.