Tony Brent

Tony Brent
Birth name Reginald Hogan Bretagne
Born 26 August 1927
Byculla, Bombay, India
Died 19 June 1993 (aged 65)
Sydney, Australia
Genres Traditional pop music
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1949-early 1980s
Labels Columbia

Tony Brent (26 August 1927 — 19 June 1993)[1] was a British traditional pop music singer, most active in the 1950s. He scored seven Top 20 chart hits in the UK over an almost six-year period, starting in January 1953.[1]

Biography

He was born Reginald Hogan Bretagne,[1][2] and lived at Ebrahim Terrace, Spence Road, Byculla, Bombay, India of Anglo-Indian descent. During the 1950s Brent became a popular UK based vocalist, having relocated there in 1947. Two years after his move, Brent entered and was successful in a talent show held at the Regal Theatre in Kingston. He had sung a version of "Some Enchanted Evening", and this led him on to work with Ambrose and Cyril Stapleton's BBC Showband.[3] His subsequent chart hits included "Walkin' to Missouri", "Cindy, Oh Cindy" and "Dark Moon". Brent's hits were all released on the Columbia label.[1] He enjoyed iconic status in South Asia where his hits topped the music charts on Radio Ceylon.

He resumed his travels in 1961, and left the UK to live in Australia. He owned a succession of Indian food restaurants, whilst maintaining his singing career. Brent died in Sydney, at the age of 65, of a heart attack in June 1993.[3] His ashes were scattered in the Ganges.[2]

Chart single discography

All entries relate to the UK Singles Chart[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 77. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Mathures Paul: October 2008". Mathures.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Tony Brent – Free listening, videos, concerts, stats and pictures at". Last.fm. 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2014-01-31.

External links