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| The Beau Brummels | |
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 (l-r) Sal Valentino, John Petersen, Ron Elliott, Ron Meagher
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| Background information | |
| Origin | San Francisco, CA, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Country-rock, Folk-rock, Pop |
| Years active | 1964-1968 |
| Label(s) | Autumn, Vault, Warner Bros. |
| Website | http://www.beaubrummels.com/ |
| Former members | |
| Ron Elliott (guitar, vocals) Ron Meagher (bass, harmonica, guitar, vocals) Declan Mulligan (guitar, harmonica, vocals) Sal Valentino (vocals) John Petersen (drums, vocals) Don Irving (guitar '65-'66) Daniel Levitt (guitar '74-'75) |
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The Beau Brummels were a successful 1960s American rock band, formed in San Francisco in 1963. Their sound was influenced by The Beatles and other British Invasion bands, as well as by such American groups as the Kingston Trio and the Everly Brothers.[1]
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History
The band took its name from a 19th century English dandy, Beau Brummell, as a way of identifying with the British music scene. Additionally, band members figured that since everyone was looking for and at Beatles records, having a name that naturally followed Beatles alphabetically would be a shrewd move. In addition, the band took to wearing British-influenced mod clothes. As a result of their sound and look, they were often mistaken for an English band, especially in their first few years. However, as their music progressed, they mixed the British sound with American folk and country music and created a distinctly American sound.[2]
The Beau Brummels had three Top 40 hit singles: "Laugh Laugh", "Just A Little" and "You Tell Me Why".[1] "Just a Little" was the biggest hit of the three, spending 9 weeks in the Top 40 and reaching #8 on Billboard, while "Laugh, Laugh" hit #15, and "You Tell Me Why" peaked at #38.[3]
The Beau Brummels recorded six studio albums as well, with Triangle and Bradley's Barn receiving significant critical acclaim.[2] Lead singer Sal Valentino and various former members of the Beau Brummels also toured and recorded as Stone Ground in the early 1970s.
"Laugh, Laugh" is listed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 most influential songs that shaped rock and roll, and was also featured in the 1989 John Candy film Uncle Buck. On The Flintstones, in the episode based on the Shindig! TV series, the band was caricatured as "The Beau Brummelstones", singing "Laugh Laugh." They were also featured in the movie Village of the Giants which starred Beau Bridges and was later featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000. The Beau Brummels are considered by some to be the first folk rock group (although the Byrds were formed - and recorded - earlier) and they influenced numerous other acts in the genre, particularly later San Francisco groups including Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead.
Drummer John Petersen died suddenly on November 11, 2007, of a heart attack. He is survived by his wife of many years, Roberta, a former Warner Brothers senior executive, and sister of former Warners record producer Ted Templeman.[4]
Discography
Studio Albums
- Introducing the Beau Brummels -- Autumn 103 (1965)
- The Beau Brummels, Vol. 2 -- Autumn 104 (1965)
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- Band becomes a quartet with departure of Mulligan
- Beau Brummels '66 -- Warner Bros. 1644 (1966)
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- Don Irving joins group for this album consisting of cover versions of popular hits of 1966
- Triangle -- Warner Bros. 1692 (1967)
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- Group is now a trio featuring Elliott, Valentino and Meagher
- Bradley's Barn -- Warner Bros. 1760 (1968)
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- Reduced to duo of Elliott and Valentino
- The Beau Brummels -- Warner Bros. 2842 (1975)
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- Reunion album featuring all five original members (although Meagher is only listed as a session musician and is not included in the back cover photo)
Compilations
- Best of The Beau Brummels -- Vault 114 (1967)
- The Beau Brummels, Vol. 44 -- Vault 121 (1968)
- The Best of the Beau Brummels, 1964-1968 -- Rhino 75779 (1987)
- Autumn of Their Years - Rare and Unissued -- Big Beat (1994)
- The San Fran Sessions (3 disc set) -- Sundazed Records SC 11033 (1996)
- From The Vaults -- One Way Records Inc (1999)
- Beau Brummels Live (1974 Concert) -- DIG Records 102 (2000)
- North Beach Legends (LP) -- Sundazed Records LP 5088 (2001)
- Gentle Wanderin' Ways (LP) -- Sundazed Records LP 5089 (2001)
- Magic Hollow (4 disc set) -- Rhino Hand Made RHM2 7892 (2005)
Charted singles
| Year | Song | US Hot 100 |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | "Laugh, Laugh" | 15 |
| 1965 | "Just a Little" | 8 |
| 1965 | "You Tell Me Why" | 38 |
| 1965 | "Don't Talk to Strangers" | 52 |
| 1965 | "Good Time Music" | 97 |
| 1966 | "One Too Many Mornings" | 95 |
References
External links
