Aired on Treasure Island Oldies– January 19, 2025

In 1968 the Four Tops charted with a great rendition of a song originally released in 1966 by a New York City group often described as an American baroque pop band.

Marrying string arrangements with a vocal harmony style made famous by their contemporaries such as the Beatles and the Zombies, their 1966 debut record reached the #5 position on the Billboard Hot 100.

A year later they had another Top 20 hit.

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The group was formed from New York City session players and consisted of keyboardist/songwriter Michael Brown, drummer/singer George Cameron, bass guitarist/singer Tom Finn, singer Steve Martin (later known as Steve Martin Caro), and drummer Lisa (then known as Warren) David-Schierhorst.

According to Tom Finn, “We never had a plan to be a group, but Michael had the keys to his father’s studio. I’d bring my girlfriend Renee along, and Michael fell for her, getting his heart broken, but writing these amazing melodies.”

Hence we now know the inspiration for the Left Banke’s debut hit single, “Walk Away Renee.” And it would appear that all keyboardist/songwriter Michael Brown wanted, via the group second release, was a date with a “Pretty Ballerina,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.

Epilogue: “Left Bank” is the Anglicized version of the French Rive Gauche which is the southern bank of the river Seine in Paris. The appeal to the band of the name is its association with writers and artists, particularly after WWI. The Left Bank is a phrase associated with bohemianism, counterculture, and creativity. The band added the “e.”

YouTube listing of the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdUovuUJ0fk

This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.