Tommy Brown (singer) facts for kids

Tommy Brown (born May 27, 1931, died March 12, 2016) was an American R&B singer. He became famous in the early 1950s. He was especially known for his songs with The Griffin Brothers.

Tommy Brown's Musical Journey

Early Life and First Songs

Tommy Brown was born in Lumpkin, Georgia. In the 1940s, he started his own small band. He played the drums and performed in clubs around Atlanta.

In 1949, he recorded a song called "Atlanta Boogie." This song was released on the Regent label. It was one of the first songs to mention "rock and roll." The lyrics even said:

Well, the whole town's rockin' just about the break of day

Well, when the bar starts jumpin' you can hear the cats all say

Well, let's rock'n'roll, well, let's rock'n'roll

Yes, let's rock'n'roll till the break of day...

Teaming Up with The Griffin Brothers

In 1951, Tommy Brown joined Dot Records. Here, he started working with The Griffin Brothers. This was an R&B orchestra led by brothers Jimmy and Ernest Griffin. They had toured with other famous musicians. They also played for singer Margie Day on her hit songs.

In August 1951, Tommy Brown was the main singer on "Tra-La-La." This song became a Top 10 R&B hit. Later that year, they had an even bigger hit. Their song "Weepin' and Cryin'" reached number one on the R&B chart!

Life Changes and New Music

In early 1952, Tommy Brown joined the United States Marine Corps. While he was away, his old record label released "No News From Home." This song was from earlier recording sessions.

When he returned in October 1952, he moved to Chicago. He played with Bill Doggett's band for a while. He even said he helped write Doggett's hit song "Honky Tonk." Over the next ten years, he recorded many R&B songs. He even started his own record company with his wife, singer Liz Lands.

From Music to Comedy and Back

In the 1960s and 1970s, Tommy Brown also performed as a comedian. He released two live comedy albums. These were I Ain't Lyin' in 1967 and I Ain't Lyin' Vol. 2 in 1968.

In 1977, he moved back to Atlanta. He managed a care center there. But fans wanted him to sing again! So, in 2001, Tommy Brown made a comeback. He started recording and performing at blues festivals around the world. His old songs were also re-released.

On May 6, 2015, Tommy Brown was honored. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 84.

Tommy Brown's Music Collection

Albums Released

• 1967: I Aint Ly'ing (Live From The Club)
• 1968: I Ain't Lying, Vol. Two: Live From The Shed House
• 1973: Soul Brother In Heaven And Hell
• 2004: Remember Me
• 2009: Rockin' Away My Blues

With Bill Doggett

• 1956: Everybody Dance the Honky Tonk

Popular Singles

• 1951: "V-8 Baby"
• 1951: Griffin Brothers Orch. Featuring Tommy Brown – "Tra-La-La"
• 1951: Griffin Brothers Orch. Featuring Tommy Brown – "Weepin' & Cryin'"
• 1952: Tommy (Weepin' And Cryin') Brown – "No News From Home"
• 1953: Little Tommy Brown – "Goodbye, I'm Gone"
• 1954: "Southern Women"
• 1955: Little Tommy Brown – "Don't Leave Me"
• 1956: Little Tommy Brown With The Four Students – "The Thrill Is Gone"
• 1957: "Someday, Somewhere"
• 1958: "Just For You"
• 1960: Griffin Brothers Orch. Featuring Tommy Brown – "Tra-La-La" / "Weepin' And Cryin'"