I V A N B R O W N E
THE VOICE OF
THE CLASSIC #1 HIT
WITH THE LEMON PIPERS
"GREEN TAMBOURINE"
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Ivan Browne (vocals/rhythm guitar), Bill Bartlett
(lead guitar), R.G. (Reg) Nave (organ), Steve Walmsley (bass) and Bill Albuagh
(drums) - made its debut in 1967 with ‘Turn Around and Take A Look’. Its
rudimentary style was then replaced by the measured approach of aspiring
songwriting/production team, Paul Leka and Shelly Pinz. Together they created a
distinctive Lemon Pipers sound, a sparkling mélange of sweeping strings and
percussive vibraslaps exemplified on the group’s million-selling hit, ‘Green
Tambourine’. The attendant album contained several songs - ‘Rice Is Nice’,
‘Shoeshine Boy’
- which were recorded in a similar style, but the set also contained
the startling ‘Through with You’, an extended tour de force for Bartlett’s
rampaging guitar work and a surprise for those anticipating easy-on-the-ear
fare. Subsequent recordings failed to match their early success, and although a
second album, Jungle Marmalade, offered several inventive moments, the Lemon
Pipers were tarred as a bubblegum attraction on the strength of that first hit.
The group broke up in 1969, although Bartlett later found success as a member
of Ram Jam predominantly known for their hit single
"Black Betty" in 1977.
IVAN and his wife ISA
started traveling together in 1973. They performed in R.I., Hawaii, Alaska and
New Hampshire, where they were married and started the IVAN and ISA BAND
in October of 1975. Their musical travels continued to Florida and Ohio. In
1977, I and I settled down in Sonoma County, California, where they
played 108 consecutive weeks as a house band at Santa Rosa's Ponderosa Club. In
May 1981, they once again packed up their equipment and headed for the east
coast and traveling through R.I., Ohio, and back to California. In March of
1985, IVAN and ISA bought a ridgetop home in Mendocino County from the
"DOOR'S" Ray Manzarek's family.
For more information about Ivan & Isa Browne visit www.ivanandisa.com
Very special thanks to
Isa Browne for arranging this interview with Ivan Browne and of course the dynamic duo of Doug & Don Newsom of BBS Radio for
making the magic happen for each and every broadcast of The Ray Shasho Show. If
you have comments of suggestions for the show contact me at therayshashoshow@gmail.com.
IVAN BROWNE
THE VOICE OF
"GREEN TAMBOURINE"
SPECIAL GUEST
ON THE RAY SHASHO SHOW
BBS RADIO
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Have
a great week everybody!
