Brian Cole (musician)

Brian Leslie Cole (September 8, 1942 – August 2, 1972) was an American musician. He was the bass guitarist, bass vocalist[1] and one of the founding members of the 1960s folk rock band the Association.[2]

Brian Cole
Background information
Birth nameBrian Leslie Cole
Born(1942-09-08)September 8, 1942
Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
DiedAugust 2, 1972(1972-08-02) (aged 29)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Bass guitar

Early life

Brian Leslie Cole was born in Tacoma, Washington to Perry Anthony Cole and Violet Elanor Cole. By the early 1960s, he and his family were living in Portland, Oregon and was a father of two.[3] Cole attended Portland State University, before dropping out a year later. Prior to working as a musician, he had moved to Los Angeles, and was working as a lumberjack, before he began work as an actor and comedian.[4]

The Association
Main article: The Association

In 1966, Cole co-founded the folk rock band The Association, a band that had previously been a thirteen-piece ensemble called The Men. The Association signed to Valiant Records in 1966, and released their debut album And Then... Along Comes the Association, shortly after. The Association are best known for their songs “Cherish”, “Along Comes Mary”, “Windy” and “Never My Love”. The Association were an opening act at the Monterey Pop Festival. The group were known for their harmonies. Brian sang bass vocals in their songs.

Unlike the other members, Cole rarely sang lead, most notably singing lead on the song "Reputation", featured on the Association's 1967 album Insight Out. As a member of the Association, he has been nominated for a Grammy Award six times, three times each in the 9th and 10th Annual Grammy Awards, both of which were held in 1967 and 1968, respectively.[5]

In August 1969, a collection of Poems, penned by the seven members of the Association, were released as the book "Crank Your Spreaders".[6][7][8]

Personal life and death

He has three sons, Jordan, Chandler, and Brant. Jordan Cole is now a member of the Association, and has provided keyboards, guitar, vocals, recorder, and drums since 1999.[9][10] Brant Cole is a drummer for the Los Angeles-based band Briana and the Fates.

Cole became a heavy drug user in his final years and died in Los Angeles of a heroin overdose in 1972 at the age of 29, a few weeks before his 30th birthday.[11] Cole’s last release with the Association was their album, Waterbeds in Trinidad! which was released four months prior.

Cole, once known for performing with a Gibson semi-hollow bass guitar onstage, had put the signature bass in his attic sometime in 1969 and was passed on to his oldest son upon his death. In 1997, his son Jordan had it restored and has used it in recordings.[3]

Discography
Main article: The Association § Discography
Cole (top middle) with The Association in 1968.

Albums
Title Year
And Then... Along Comes the Association 1966
Renaissance 1966
Insight Out 1967
Birthday 1968
The Association 1969
Stop Your Motor 1971
Waterbeds in Trinidad! 1972

Nominations

As a member of the Association, he has been nominated for a Grammy Award six times, three times each in the 9th and 10th Annual Grammy Awards:

9th Annual Grammy Awards (1967)
Category Song Note
Best Contemporary Group Performance Cherish [5]
Best Contemporary Recording Cherish
Best Performance By A Vocal Group Cherish

10th Annual Grammy Awards (1968)
Category Song/Album Note
Best Contemporary Group Performance Windy [5]
Best Contemporary Album Insight Out
Best Performance By A Vocal Group Never My Love

See also

References
  1. Searles, Malcolm C. (2018). The Association 'cherish' : the story of America's first folk-rock band. Kibworth Beauchamp. p. 286. ISBN 978-1-78901-361-0. OCLC 1052448729.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. Simmonds, Jeremy (2003). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-55652-754-8.
  3. "Restored Bass Guitar From '60s Pop Group Is Memento Of Dad | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  4. Macamba0 (March 6, 2017). "Brian Cole 8/1972". Rock and Roll Paradise. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  5. "Brian Cole - Grammy". www.grammy.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  6. group), Association (Musical (1966). Crank Your Spreaders. Price, Stern, Sloan Pub.
  7. The Association - Crank Your Spreaders. Retrieved April 25, 2023. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  8. "THE ASSOCIATION : CRANK YOUR SPREADERS. RARE PHOTO-ILLUSTRATED BAND PUBLICATION. Los Angeles: Price/Stern/Sloan and Beechwood Music Corporation, 1969. by The Association (band): Very Good. Paperback (1969) | Once Read Books". www.abebooks.com. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  9. Eder, Bruce. "Brian Cole Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  10. "On Stage". www.theassociationwebsite.com. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  11. Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. Random House. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-8230-7677-2.
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