Tony Brent born 13 August 1926

 

Tony Brent (13 August 1926* — 19 June 1993) was a British traditional pop music singer, most active in the 1950s. He scored seven Top 20 chart hits in the UK over an almost six-year period, starting in January 1953. 

He was born Reginald Hogan Bretagne, and lived at Ebrahim Terrace, Spence Road, Byculla, Bombay, India of Anglo-Indian descent. During the 1950s Brent became a popular UK based vocalist, having relocated there in 1947. Two years after his move, Brent entered and was successful in a talent show held at the Regal Theatre in Kingston. He had sung a version of "Some Enchanted Evening", and this led him on to work with Ambrose and Cyril Stapleton's BBC Showband. 

 Brent's hits were all released on the Columbia label. He enjoyed iconic status in South Asia where his hits topped the music charts on Radio Ceylon. 

Contrary to disinformation spread at the time by his agent, and subsequently repeated by his record company, he had not arrived in England from the USA, nor had he sang with former Glenn Miller accompanist Tex Beneke and his band. 

 In 1952 he made his chart debut with a cover version of one of Sammy Kaye’s last hits, ‘Walkin’ To Missouri’, and began to tour the variety circuit and appear on television. His other chart entries through until 1959 included ‘Make It Soon’, ‘Got You On My Mind’, ‘Cindy, Oh Cindy’, ‘Dark Moon’, ‘The Clouds Will Soon Roll By’, ‘Girl Of My Dreams’ and ‘Why Should I Be Lonely?’. He additionally duetted with Billie Anthony on a recording of the similarly titled ‘I Get So Lonely’. Brent also released two sets of standards, Off Stage and Tony Takes Five. His EPs included Time For Tony and Tony Calls The Tune. He was subsequently overwhelmed by the 60s beat group scene and retreated to the clubs.  

 

 

He resumed his travels in 1961, and left the UK to live in Australia. He owned a succession of Indian food restaurants, including the popular “Shalimar” which incorporated a cabaret where he would continue to entertain by singing with the various appearing acts.

 

 

Brent died in Sydney, at the age of 66, of a heart attack in June 1993. His ashes were scattered in the Ganges.

*Date given by All Music Guide although others sources give Tony's birthdate as 26 August 1927.

(Info edited from AllMusic & Wikipedia)