Lee Brilleaux facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lee Brilleaux
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lee John Collinson |
| Born | 10 May 1952 Durban, South Africa |
| Died | 7 April 1994 (aged 41) Canvey Island, Essex, England |
| Genres | Rock, pub rock, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, harmonica |
| Years active | 1970–1994 |
| Labels | Stiff Records |
| Associated acts | Dr Feelgood |
Lee Brilleaux (born Lee John Collinson; 10 May 1952 – 7 April 1994) was a talented English singer and musician. He was best known as the lead singer of the popular rhythm-and-blues band Dr. Feelgood. Lee's powerful voice and harmonica playing made him a memorable figure in music.
Contents
Early Life and Moves
Lee Brilleaux was born in Durban, South Africa. His parents were English. He spent his early childhood growing up in Ealing, England. When he was 13 years old, his family moved to Canvey Island, where he would later become famous.
Starting a Music Career
In 1971, Lee Brilleaux helped create the band Dr. Feelgood. He started the band with Wilko Johnson. Lee was the lead singer, played the harmonica, and sometimes played the guitar.
Dr. Feelgood's Unique Style
Lee and Wilko were known for their exciting performances. They often wore dark suits and loose ties. Their music had a raw and energetic feel. This style matched the band's strong and unique sound.
Helping New Music Grow
In 1976, Lee Brilleaux helped start Stiff Records. This was a very important record label. It helped launch many bands during the "New Wave" music movement of the 1970s. Lee even loaned £500 to help get the company started.
Wilko Johnson left Dr. Feelgood in 1977. But Lee continued the band with a new guitarist, Gypie Mayo, in 1978. Lee was the only original member left in the band by 1984. In 1986, he recorded an album called Brilleaux. It featured songs by the famous singer Johnny Cash.
Later Years and Final Shows
Lee Brilleaux's last performance was in January 1994. He played at the Dr. Feelgood Music Bar in Canvey Island.
Remembering Lee Brilleaux
Lee Brilleaux passed away on 7 April 1994. He was almost 42 years old. He died from lymphoma, a type of cancer, at his home in Canvey Island.
After Lee's death, Dr. Feelgood took a year off. Then, they chose Pete Gage to be their new lead singer.
Tributes and Biographies
Many people wanted to remember Lee Brilleaux. In 2011, an artist named Scott King had an idea. He wanted to build a huge gold statue of Lee. It would be 300 feet tall and placed near the Kursaal in Southend-on-Sea. This was a famous place where Dr. Feelgood often played. An online petition was started to support this idea. It gathered about 1500 signatures.
In 2014, music writer Zoë Howe decided to write a book about Lee's life. The book is called Roadrunner. It shares stories and memories from Lee's life. It also includes classic and never-before-seen photos. People helped fund the book by donating money online. This is called crowd-funding. The book was successfully published as Lee Brilleaux: Rock'n'Roll Gentleman.
