The Beau Brummels

The Beau Brummels

Synopsis of Pop Music

“So I’ll cry just a little ‘cause I love you so,
And I’ll die just a little ‘cause I have to go…”

When the British Invasion hit American shores, it was tough for many groups to assimilate the new sounds coming their way. However, The Beau Brummels emerged from San Francisco to face the challenge presented by their competition across the Atlantic. By combining these English sounds with folk and country elements, The Beau Brummels created a sound all their own. In the process, they helped create an influential style of pop that spawned some notable hits and paved the way for future San Francisco-based pop groups like Jefferson Airplane.

The Beau Brummels consisted of four young San Franciscans and one Irish lad who all liked English beat music. They teamed up in the wake of the British Invasion and began performing Beatles and Searchers tunes alongside like-minded original songs. They quickly became popular in the San Francisco area and a disc jockey signed them to his record label. In 1964, they teamed up with producer Sylvester Stewart (who would later become ‘Sly’ in Sly And The Family Stone) to record “Laugh, Laugh.” This song blended pop hooks and folky touches with a melancholy mood and became a Top-20 hit.

The next single was even more successful for The Beau Brummels: “Just A Little” expanded on the moody yet catchy minor-key sound of “Laugh, Laugh” and became their biggest hit, breaking into the Top-10. The Beau Brummels followed their singles success with two fine albums in 1965, Introducing The Beau Brummels and Beau Brummels, Vol. 2. Both records made fine use of the group’s harmonies and their ability to write strong original songs that mixed folk, country and even r&b elements into a consistent pop-rock sound. These albums are still popular with folk-rock fans and remain in print today.

The Beau Brummels continued to record and perform well into the late 60’s. They produced one of their most critically-acclaimed records, the baroque-styled Triangle, in 1967. The next year, they played up their country edge on an album called Bradley’s Barn, thus anticipating the rise of country-rockers like The Flying Burrito Brothers. However, the group broke up shortly after the release of Bradley’s Barn.

With the exception of a brief reunion in 1974, The Beau Brummels have chosen to pursue their separate paths. Both Ron Elliott and Sal Valentino have stayed active as songwriters and session musicians. Meanwhile, the influence of their work with The Beau Brummels continues to make its presence felt. Their mixture of folk, rock and country paved the way for the country phase of The Byrds and also later groups like The Eagles. They will long be remembered by pop fans and musicians alike for their ability to unite many different musical elements into one singular style.

Artist Release History

1965 - Introducing the Beau Brummels
1965 - The Beau Brummels, Vol. 2
1966 - Beau Brummels '66
1967 - Triangle
1967 - Best of Beau Brummels
1968 - Bradley's Barn
1975 - The Beau Brummels
1976 - Original Hits of the Beau Brummels
1982 - From the Vaults (compilation)
1985 - Autumn in San Francisco (compilation)
1987 - The Best of the Beau Brummels: Golden Archive Series
1994 - Autumn of Their Years (compilation)
1996 - San Fran Sessions (compilation)
1999 - From the Vaults (compilation)
2000 - Greatest Hits Classic World
2000 - Don't Talk to Strangers (compilation)
2000 - Live!

Pop Sub Categories

rock
pop

Essential Music Albums

Introducing The Beau Brummels (Sundazed)
Beau Brummels, Vol. 2 (Sundazed)

Band Members

Sal Valentino lead vocals
Ron Elliott guitar, vocals
Declan Mulligan guitar
Ron Meagher bass
John Petersen drums

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