Musician, Songwriter. A keyboardist, he will be best remembered as a member of the ensemble The Left Banke. He penned their 1966 hit "Walk Away Renee" which reached number five on the American Billboards Chart. Born Michael David Lookofsky, his father Harry Lookofsky was a violinist and music arranger. His father gave him a keyboard at the age of sixteen and not long after, he co-founded The Left Banke. When band member Tom Finn brought his girlfriend Renee to one of their practices, Brown became so infatuated with her that he could barely play. The result was the hit "Walk Away Renee." Brown's father became the group's manager and arranged for sessions musicians to contribute all the music to the song, with the exception of Michael's harpsichord playing. Tensions in the band hampered the completion of an album, but in 1967 their debut record "Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina" was released. Brown departed following the recording of their second album "The Left Banke Too" (1968) and resurfaced as a member of the 1970s group "Stories," who were best known for their 1973 hit "Brother Louie." Brown remained an active performer and rejoined the later lineup of The Left Banke a few years prior to his death.
Musician, Songwriter. A keyboardist, he will be best remembered as a member of the ensemble The Left Banke. He penned their 1966 hit "Walk Away Renee" which reached number five on the American Billboards Chart. Born Michael David Lookofsky, his father Harry Lookofsky was a violinist and music arranger. His father gave him a keyboard at the age of sixteen and not long after, he co-founded The Left Banke. When band member Tom Finn brought his girlfriend Renee to one of their practices, Brown became so infatuated with her that he could barely play. The result was the hit "Walk Away Renee." Brown's father became the group's manager and arranged for sessions musicians to contribute all the music to the song, with the exception of Michael's harpsichord playing. Tensions in the band hampered the completion of an album, but in 1967 their debut record "Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina" was released. Brown departed following the recording of their second album "The Left Banke Too" (1968) and resurfaced as a member of the 1970s group "Stories," who were best known for their 1973 hit "Brother Louie." Brown remained an active performer and rejoined the later lineup of The Left Banke a few years prior to his death.
Bio by: C.S.
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