Joe and Eddie

Joe and Eddie was an American gospel and Folk music group whose vocal career peaked in 1964. Composed of two African American men, Joe Gilbert and Eddie Brown, Joe and Eddie became popular with their vocal talent. In their career, they toured the United States and Canada, appeared on over 20 major television shows and recorded eight albums. [Charles, Don. The Best of Joe and Eddie] [ [http://www.joeandeddie.com/disc.html Discography ] ]

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The two's focus was creating harmony with Joe singing tenor and Eddie singing baritone. The rich blend created the sound that identifies Joe and Eddie. Throughout each album, the music stays raw, simple and within the genres of African-American gospel music, folk tunes, and Blues with a little jazz flavor. Songs contain little background instrumentals, since the "main objective was to focus on Joe & Eddie's singing...". [Charles, Don. The Best of Joe and Eddie] This duo was known for their "rapid-fire delivery" and vocal improvisations, as can be heard in the songs "Green Grass" and "Children Go".

Their style closely emulated that of The Everly Brothers, The Kingston Trio, and The Brothers Four.

Early career

Both from being raised in the South and from being born in 1941, Joe Gilbert and Eddie Brown had a lot in common before even meeting. Joe was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana while Eddie grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. Around the same time, the two boys migrated to Berkeley, California with their respective families and met in the mid 1950's at Willard High School in the A Capella Choir. Their first performance together was in the Berkeley High School Talent Show where they sang a duet and won first place. This was only the beginning.

With the help of their high school choir professor, Earl Blakeslee, the two boys formed a partnership and strived to go professional. It's been said that their first gigs were held at college fraternity and sorority parties where they performed a variety of gospel, folk and blues numbers. Soon the two black singers were creating a buzz on many California college campuses. After a couple of years, the two decided they needed to step out in order to further their career. Professor Blakeslee advised them to audition for The Don Sherwood Show, which originated from San Francisco. They earned their spot and were asked back to the show several times afterward.

Through their television appearance, Joe and Eddie were introduced to Gene Norman, president of GNP Crescendo Record Co., and then co-owner of Crescendo and Interlude nightclubs, who assisted in launching their career. Norman was impressed with not only their unique style, but their handsome and youthful look. He knew their looks would capture the younger crowd. It was through Norman that the two recorded their first single and by 1962 recorded their first album titled "Exciting Folk Duo: Joe & Eddie" (re-released after Gilbert's death as "Down to Earth").

After the release of their first album, Joe and Eddie received numerous invitations to appear on even more television shows, including "The Tonight Show", "The Lively Ones", and "The Jackie Gleason Show". Celebrities such as Danny Kaye and Jackie Gleason were giving a good word for the duo and creating even more publicity for them. During this time, they recorded their second album, "There is a Meeting Here Tonight", and adapted that song as their signature tune. They performed this song in the film "Hootenanny".

They began touring all over the United States and Canada doing their own shows and for four years continued to record more albums with GNP/Crescendo Records. Along with recording their harmonies, the two took turns in recording solos ("The Work Song," and "The Things I've Saved"). In their four years of recording, they had several different music directors who influenced their sound differently. Bill Munday accompanied them on his guitar, while in other songs, the Les Baxter Chorus sang back up. Still careful attention was given to keeping the focus on Joe and Eddie's vocals. Their unique, zany style seemed to appeal to audiences both young and old.

End of the duo

On August 6, 1966, Joe Gilbert was killed in an automobile accident while driving home after a performance in the Cosmos Club in Los Angeles. Gilbert's death marked the sudden end of the Joe & Eddie partnership (he was survived by a wife, Judy, and two sons). Brown continued to record as a solo act. Today (2007), Brown continues to work as a producer and arranger, most recently with the musical group Gravity. [ [http://www.joeandeddie.com/bio.html Bio ] ]

Discography

*"" (1962) (reissued after Gilbert's death on Sunset Records as "Down to Earth")
*"There's A Meetin' Here Tonight" (1963)
*"Coast to Coast (Joe and Eddie)" (1964)
*"Volume 4" (1964)
*"Tear Down The Walls! (1965)
*"Live in Hollywood"
*"Walkin' Down The Line"
*"The Magic Of Their Singing"
*"The Best of Joe & Eddie" (1967); later re-released on CD with additional tracks
*"The Gospel Truth", compilation

References

External links

* [http://www.joeandeddie.com/bio.html Eddie Brown Website]
* [http://www.amazon.com/Best-Joe-Eddie/dp/B000001OUK]
* [http://www.musicstack.com/item/142334656/joe+_apz_+eddie/tear+down+the] [Charles, Don. "The Joe & Eddie Story", "The Best of Joe & Eddie" CD, GNP Crescendo Records; Feb 05 1993, GNPD 2032]