|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
| Book
Preview |
| |
The creation of the Talbot Brothers book has been a
labour of love for the Talbot Family, creating a journey
through Bermuda's musical era. Below is a preview and
excerpts from the forthcoming book and gift set.
Introduction
Britain had the Beatles, Bermuda the Talbot Brothers.
Anyone remembering the heady days of tourism on the
island from the late 1940s through the ’50s, ’60s and
’70s inevitably recalls these charismatic performers
whose music, wit, warmth and humour made them icons of
Bermudian hospitality and drew thousands of guests to
their shows.
Night after night in most of Bermuda’s resort hotels,
brothers Archie (leader) on guitar and harmonica, Austin
on guitar, Roy on his unique homemade bass, Ross
(Blackie) on guitar, Bryan (Dick) on ukulele and cousin
Mandy on accordion would woo audiences with the harmony
of their mellifluous voices and their inimitable brand
of calypso.
They all had that indefinable charm, thanks in part
perhaps to their good looks, but also to their sheer
love of life and their infectious
sense of humour that infused all their performances. In
this regard they were more than singers; they were
entertainers.
They created a spontaneous atmosphere where absolutely
everyone enjoyed the party. In fact, often after
finishing a show in one of the hotels, they would
lead their large following of guests to the Leopards
Club or the Clay House Inn, both black-owned prestigious
clubs that stayed open till three in the morning.
And it was not unusual for them to continue the party at
their own homes in Harris Bay. Bermudian Talbot
Brothers’ fan, Barbara Mulder, remembered regularly
enjoying the Talbots’ shows at the Bermudiana and
following them to parties later. Indeed, she remembers
it being impossible for her and her husband, Peter, to
drive past their house on the weekend without being
invited in for a rum and coke or fruit juice.
This was particularly extraordinary given the rigid
segregation in Bermuda right through the 1950s when
“whites only” notices were common in restaurants,
businesses, hotels, theatres, train carriages, and beach
facilities. Through their careers the Talbot Brothers,
therefore, not only transcended but also helped to
remove the racial and colour barriers of the time.
Fame in Bermuda and Beyond
Though their fame began in Bermuda, it soon spread to
the United States of America where for over 20 years
they held an annual three-month tour, performing in
elite country clubs, and the most select hotels. They
rubbed shoulders with famous stars of the time and twice
appeared on the prestigious Ed Sullivan Show, an
American television variety show featuring celebrities.
The weekly prime-time show, which was broadcast live
from New York City, was a staple of American pop culture
at the time. They also toured in England, performing at
the London Palladium and Mayfair Hotel.
Everywhere they went the Talbot Brothers were promoting
the beauty and spirit of Bermuda, not just through their
performances but through their warm personalities
and distinctive identity. They became Bermuda’s best
ambassadors. No wonder in May 1970 they were awarded the
The Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour by Queen
Elizabeth which Archie as leader received on their
behalf. And no wonder they are still remembered with
love, affection and pride.
There has never been a group like them before or since.
Party Time in Tucker’s Town
Throughout the 1930s, the Talbots were in huge demand
for private parties held in Tucker’s Town and in other
wealthy properties on the island. They’d sing in
living rooms, in the Mid-Ocean Clubhouse, in gardens
under shady trees while the guests, entranced, would sit
at tables, laugh and join in. Drinks flowed along with
the music.
Often the parties were impromptu and the Brothers would
receive telephone calls at a moment’s notice. They never
ever turned down an engagement. Often the American
families and their friends would go to Tom Moore’s
Tavern and would want the Talbots to perform while they
were dining. Roy remembers that sometimes the dinner
parties turned into breakfast parties and then into
lunch parties. It wasn’t unusual for their own
families not to see the Talbots for days.
Because many of the hosts were high society, their
parties were of considerable interest to the press.
Journalists were eager to know titillating bits of
gossip about what went on at these parties in the early
hours of the morning. Sometimes slightly scurrilous
happenings did occur but the Talbot Brothers could be
totally trusted for their discretion and
confidentiality.
They resisted all pressures on them to reveal
information, including the offer of bribes from the
press. One time guests at a private party had so much to
drink they decided to go swimming fully clothed. But
before taking to the water, the men pulled thousands of
dollars from their pockets and left the money with the
Talbots for safekeeping. As Roy explained, “There was a
trust. There was a bond.”
Entertaining, however, was not their fulltime
occupation,. It alone couldn’t pay the bills. The Talbot
Brothers must have had inordinate amounts of energy
because they’d work all day – cutting stone in the new
family business, and driving the horse and buggies.
Factoid
As is often the case with famous singers, they began
singing in the church, first in Tucker’s Town’s Wesleyan
Methodist church where their mother Mamie had played the
organ and then in the new Marsden Methodist Church built
opposite their new homestead. Once again Mamie was the
organist and the church was filled with Talbot voices.
Archie had the idea to form a quartet, which he would
lead. The others were Austin, the eldest, cousin Ernest
Stovell and younger Roy who was initially considered too
physically short to join. But when he was measured it
was demonstrated he wasn’t so short after all.
So they started by singing hymns. But they also sang at
home with Mamie accompanied by her harmonium and piano
and with Osmond playing his concertina. Perhaps never
realising the full value of what she was doing for their
future, Mamie trained them rigorously in four part
harmony and in voice projection. She made them practise
endlessly, telling them, “Your voice doesn’t go out
singing by itself.” And so they learned to sing clearly
without amplification. They never learned to read music,
however. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
