Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

LEFT BANKE

Pop group formed '66 in NYC by keyboardist/ writer Michael Brown (b 25 April '49, NYC; real name Lookofsky, son of session violinist Slash Brown); others were Rick Brand, guitar; Tom Finn, bass; George Cameron, drums; Steve Martin, vocals. First single "Walk Away Renee' on Smash featured Brown's prominent harpsichord against strings, was no. 5 USA '66 (no. 14 USA/3 UK two years later covered by the Four Tops). The hit's feel (akin to Yardbirds' "For Your Love') was pursued by "Pretty Ballerina', no. 15 early '67. The album named after hit was Brown's swansong; as followups ("Desiree', others) failed to hit he left, replaced by Jeff Winfield; shorn of principal writer, they struggled to record Too '69 before fading away. Brown recorded with shortlived Montage (eponymous LP '69 on Laurie, Hot Parts on Kama Sutra) before forming Stories with Ian Lloyd on bass, guitarist Steve Love, Bryan Madey on drums; he played on Stories '72, About Us '73 with that lineup and left again, moving into A&R as the group had its only top 40 hit with cover of Hot Chocolate's "Brother Louie'. He then made The Beckies '76 for Sire with Mayo McAllister, Gary Hodgden before continuing to session. Other Left Bankers meanwhile regrouped for a single "Queen Of Paradise' '80 on Camerica. Brown was considered a pop genius by some, overrated and unpredictable by others.