Ray Brown & the Whispers

Ray Brown & the Whispers were an Australian rock band from 1964 to 1967. Led by singer Ray Brown, they ranked alongside the Easybeats, Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs and Normie Rowe as one of the most popular acts of the period. In 1964, the band played at the Bowl, a Sydney nightclub, doing covers of popular songs such as "Shakin All Over".

Ray Brown & the Whispers
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
GenresRock, pop
Years active1964-1967
LabelsLeedon
Past members
  • Ray Brown
  • Lawrie Barclay
  • Bobbie Richardson
  • John Manners
  • Pat Jeffery
  • Al Jackson

Over a period of two years, Brown and the Whispers issued four albums, seven singles and eight EPs. Some of their discography includes the songs: "(Ain't It) Strange," "That's Evil," "Too Late to Come Home" (with the Bee Gees on backing vocals), and "Go to Him."

Brown left the group at the end of 1966 and continued as a solo artist. He died of a heart attack in Sydney on 16 August 1996, aged 51.

Personnel

Previous lineup of 1964
  • Ray Brown [Vocals]
  • Lawrie Barclay [Rhythm guitar]
  • Bobbie Richardson [Lead guitar]
  • John Manners [Bass]
  • Pat Jeffery [Drums]

Classic lineup of 1965–1966
  • Ray Brown [Vocals]
  • Lawrie Barclay [Rhythm guitar]
  • Al Jackson [Lead guitar]
  • John Manners [Bass]
  • Pat Jeffery [Drums]

Discography

Albums
  • Ray Brown & the Whispers (self-titled) (1965) #4 Australian charts
  • Hits & Brass (1965)
  • Heading For The Top (1966) #4 Australian charts
  • Dance Dance Dance (1966)

Compilation albums
  • Miles of Hits (1988)
  • Ray Brown & the Whispers: The Ultimate Collection (2002)

Singles
Year Single Chart Positions
AUS
1965 "20 Miles" / "Devoted To You" 11[A]
"Pride" / "Say It Again" 3[A]
"Fool Fool Fool" / "Go To Him" 3
1966 "In The Midnight Hour" / "Now Is The Time" 4
"Tennessee Waltz Song" / "I am What I am" 4[A]
"Ain't It Strange" / "I Can't Get Enough" 38[A]
"Too Late To Come Home" / "Respect" 55[A]
1967 "The Same Old Song"[B] / "New Kind of Love"[B] 12[A]
  • A ^ Charted as a double A-side.
  • B ^ Ray Brown solo.

References
  • The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop - Ian McFarlane - Allen & Unwin, Sydney - 1999 - ISBN 1-86508-072-1
  • Noel McGrath's Australian Encyclopedia of Rock & Pop - Rigby Publishers - 1978 - ISBN 0-7270-1909-0
  • The Who's Who of Australian Rock - Chris Spencer - Moonlight Publishing - ISBN 0-86788-668-4
  • An Australian Discography 1960-1989 - Chris Spencer - Moonlight Publishers - 1990 - ISBN 0-7316-8343-9


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