On April 15, 2009 many hearts were pained to hear that muscial prodigy, Robert L. Brookins, passed away.
This local hometown hero was a legend in the music industry. He was like my little brother, and his family is my family. I've known Robert since he was 7 years old. His brother, Michael, and I were childhood sweethearts.
From the tight knit Northern California community of Del Paso Heights, "Little Robert & The Fondells" were legendary performers and were as popular as The Jackson 5 in our neighborhood. Our schools, and community were put on the map because of them.
Robert's credentials are far and wide in the music biz. He was a consumate entertainer; singing, writing and arranging for so many great musicians, and managing to have his own solo career as well. Earth, Wind & Fire take credit for launching the break off group, "Afterbach", but a proposed spot on the Ed Sullivan helped launch Little Robert & The Fondells. They never made it on, but were the talk of the town for many years.
Hometown heroes to all of us, Little Robert & The Fondells won talent show after talent show, and traveled all over California performing at State Fairs and other noteworthy venues. B.B. King was one of Robert's favorites to perform with, and they made sweet music together.
Robert cultivated a relationship with Stephanie Mills in the 1980's and recorded a duet with her, remaking the classic Donny Hathaway & Robert Flack song, "Where is the Love?". Thus began his ascent to stardom. Many may not have known his name, but many knew his talent as it was later revealed. George Duke, Stanley Clarke and other reknown musicians routinely worked with Robert and admired his arrangements and musical adeptness. He was a musical genius that the world never fully embraced.
I was thrilled to see him perform on stage with Earth, Wind & Fire when he visited DC back in the late 1990's. We had so much fun reminiscing. He left a legacy that most muscians only dream of.
Right before his death, he created his band and they began playing in Sacramento at a local club owned by Basketball player, Chris Weber. Robert was also the band leader for a late night talk show from Las Vegas featuring DL Hughley, George Lopez and other well known comedians.
His CD, "Sweet Dreams" was his final work, and we're grateful to have his words and music for as long as we live.
Sweet Dreams indeed Robert...rest in peace until we meet again.
No comments:
Post a Comment