Tony Brent
Tony Brent | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Reginald Hogan Bretagne |
| Born | 26 August 1927 Byculla, Bombay, India |
| Died | 19 June 1993 (aged 65) Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | Traditional pop |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1949 – early 1980s |
| Labels | Columbia |
Tony Brent (born Reginald Hogan Bretagne, 26 August 1927 – 19 June 1993)[1] was a British traditional pop singer, most active in the 1950s. He scored seven Top 20 chart hits in the UK over an almost six-year period, starting in December 1952.[1]
Biography
Brent was born Reginald Hogan Bretagne[1][2] of Anglo-Indian descent and lived at Ebrahim Terrace, Spence Road, Byculla, Bombay, India. During the 1950s Brent became a popular UK-based vocalist, having relocated there on Boxing Day in 1947.[3] Two years after his move, Brent entered and won in a talent show held at the Regal Theatre in Kingston. He sang "Some Enchanted Evening", which led on to working with both Ambrose and Cyril Stapleton's BBC Showband.[3] His subsequent chart hits included "Walkin' to Missouri", "Cindy, Oh Cindy" and "Dark Moon".[3] 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.[3] 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]
- "Walkin' to Missouri" (1952) – no. 7
- "Make It Soon" (1953) – no. 9
- "Got You on My Mind" (1953) – no. 12
- "Cindy, Oh Cindy" (1956) – no. 16
- "Dark Moon" (1957) – no. 17
- "The Clouds Will Soon Roll By" (1958) – no. 20
- "Girl of My Dreams" (1958) – no. 16
- "Why Should I Be Lonely?" (1959) – no. 24
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 77. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b "Mathures Paul: October 2008". Mathures.blogspot.com. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 47. ISBN 1-85227-937-0.
External links
- Tony Brent at AllMusic. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- British Pathé footage of Brent with Mike and Bernie Winters