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Michael Brown | |
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| Born | Michael David Lookofsky (1949-04-25)April 25, 1949 |
| Died | March 19, 2015(2015-03-19) (aged 65) |
| Genres | Baroque pop,rock |
| Instrument | Keyboards |
| Years active | 1960s–2015 |
| Formerly of | The Left Banke,Stories |
Michael Brown (bornMichael David Lookofsky, April 25, 1949 – March 19, 2015) was an American keyboardist and songwriter, most notable for his work withthe Left Banke. He was born inBrooklyn, New York, the son ofviolinist and arrangerHarry Lookofsky.
Brown was the principal songwriter for the 1960s baroque-pop groupthe Left Banke, writing their two biggest hits, "Walk Away Renee" and "Pretty Ballerina".[1] He also was aharpsichordist andclavinet player for the band.[2] "Walk Away Renee" was also a top 20 hit for theFour Tops,[3] having reached No. 15 on the soul singles chart,[4] and No. 14 on theBillboard Hot 100.
Internal band tensions saw Brown leave the Left Banke in late 1967, prior to the completion of their second record. Brown, along withBert Sommer, co-wrote the minor mid-1968 hit "And Suddenly", initially for Brown's version of the new Left Banke, with Sommer also slated as lead singer. The song went on to be recorded byThe Cherry People, peaking at #45 single on theBillboard Hot 100. The flip side of the Left Banke version of the single was "Ivy, Ivy" written by Tom Feher. He briefly returned to the Left Banke, producing the single "Myrah" in 1969 and Left Banke vocalistSteve Martin Caro's solo single "Two By Two".[5]
In 1969, Brown became involved in the band Montage (again collaborating with Sommer and Feher in songwriting), as well as producing the band's self-titled album.[6]
In 1971 Brown and vocalistIan Lloyd formedStories. They were introduced by their fathers, Peter Buonconsiglio[7] and Harry Lookofsky, who had worked together assessionviolinists. A self-titledalbum andsingle – "I'm Coming Home" (No. 42, 1972) – followed.[citation needed]
The band recorded a second albumAbout Us in (1973). Brown left the band prior to the recording ofHot Chocolate's "Brother Louie", which became a No. 1 hit for Stories in the US and Canada.[8][9]
Subsequently, he became involved withThe Beckies.[5] Brown briefly reunited with the Left Banke at a New York performance in June 2013.
Michael David Lookofsky was born inNew York City in 1949 toHarry Lookofsky (1913–1998), a jazz violinist fromSt. Louis,Missouri, who was a member of theNBC Symphony Orchestra fromc. 1938 to 1954.[10]
On March 19, 2015, Brown died at age 65 of heart failure[11][12] inEnglewood, New Jersey.[1] He is survived by his wife Yvonne and sons Skylar and Adrian.[6] He was the first of the original four members of the Left Banke to pass away: George Cameron died in 2018, and Steve Martin Caro andTom Finn both died in 2020.
(See full discographies atThe Left Banke andStories)
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