Donnie Brooks - Mission Bell

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Donnie Brooks (John Dee Abohosh, February 6, 1936 -- February 23, 2007) was an American pop music singer. Brooks is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Abohosh moved to Ventura, California in his teens, where he was adopted by his stepfather and took the name John D. Faircloth. He discovered a singing voice at a young age and recorded a few minor hits with several small record labels under the stage names Johnny Jordan, Dick Bush, and Johnny Faire, the latter gaining some sales with "Bertha Lou" in early 1959, while a cover version by Clint Miller charted nationally. Encouraged by friends Dorsey and Johnny Burnette, he persevered in the music business and in late 1959, he made his first recording using the name Donnie Brooks. Called "Li'l Sweetheart," it received a lukewarm reception, but his March 1960 hit single, "Mission Bell" on Era Records demonstrated a quality voice in an upbeat song that peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. You can see a performance video of Donnie Brooks singing Mission Bell at Wibbage.Net.

His follow-up, "Doll House"/"Round Robin" (a double-sided hit single with a color picture sleeve on Era Records) peaked at #31 in December 1960. Although he continued to record through the 1970s, he never again achieved the same level of success. In 1971, Brooks played the role of Christ in the rock opera "Truth of Truths" for Oak Records. The record was produced by Ray Ruff, who previously worked for ABC-Paramount, Happy Tiger and Dot. Brooks toured with other performers from the early rock and roll era in oldies revival shows.

Brooks died of a heart attack following a long illness on February 23, 2007. He was 71.

There was a special memorial service and rockabilly show in his honor on Sunday, March 26, 2007 at the Elks Lodge in Burbank, California.

SOURCE: Wikipedia

Category:

Education

Tags:

• pop
• rock

[hevilift]

Brings back the memories of high school, am radio, better times, simpler times

[John1948FourA]

@hevilift Way better times.

[motor1044]

this great song by donnie brooks , was featured on the fleetwood mac album , KILN HOUSE !! the whole album was a tribute to rock and roll , and done so lovingly by the original mac , sans peter green .

[John1948FourA]

@motor1044 Thanks! I'm going to check out that album.

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

I still love this song.

Thanks for the memories.

George Vreeland Hill

[John1948FourA]

@GeorgeVreelandHill - It is a great one George.

[protocol183]

before hollywood started pushing soul agitating filth called music

[TheLegendaryTim]

He was areat host at touring oldies rock and roll show in the 90's. A very nice guy who I had the pleasure of meeting. Just a great song, that is not played enough on oldies radio.

[nicoschilder1]

THANKS for your efforts  It is fantastic

[nomiclas]

@motor1044 they did a great cover that did the respect nicely.buddy's song is also a great tune i've had the LP since 1970.

[89savant]

Truth of truths is the greatest Christian album ever made.

[MrEdgarjuan]

my family were movimg to los angeles in july of 1960.and i had a transistor radio at the time.as we were coming from san antonio tex.by train,just as we were by san bernardino.this is the very first song i heard on krla from l.a.for me this brings great memories of days past.thanks for posting.

[missohio83]

Love this song!!! Great tune!