The Left Banke - LeftBanke.nu

»Trivia

The original line up of the Left Banke consisted of Steve Martin Caro, Michael Brown, Tom Finn, Jeff Winfield (on guitar), Warren David (on drums), and George Cameron.

Michael Brown was born Michael Judas Lookofsky in New York City April 25, 1949. His father was violinist Harry Lookofsky who got the Left Banke their record deal with Smash in 1966.

Steve Martin Caro was born Carmelo Esteban Martin Caro in Manhattan, NY October 12th, 1948. His mother was the talented Flamenco vocalist/guitarist Sarita Heredia. His father, Pedro Martin Caro was a representantative for bullfighters. The Caro's are of Spanish origin. The surname Caro means beloved.

"Walk Away Renee", "Pretty Ballerina", and "She May Call You Tonight" were inspired by Tom Finn's girlfriend Renee Fladen whom Michael Brown was infatuated with.

Before he recorded with The Left Banke, Tom Finn recorded a couple of songs at World United Studios with a group called The Magic Plants.

The liner notes of the OOP There's Gonna Be A Storm CD state that Steve Martin Caro "added vocals" the Rolling Stones' "Salt Of The Earth." To be clear, Steve did not contribute to the Beggar Banquet LP. He recorded the song with producer Tom Kaye and Left Banke members at Elephant 5 Studios.

Michael Brown lived with Shangri-las vocalist Mary Weiss for about a year. He wrote a song for her "I Shall Call Her Mary" which was recorded by Montage.

Left Banke Too was originally titled Dress Rehearsal. The LP cover photos were taken at the Woolworth Mansion. The hooded figure in the background is their friend Fred Adams.

Michael Brown released an album by his wife Yvonne Vitale called On This Moment in 1994. It is said that only 200 copies were pressed on the Endangered Records label. Drums on the album were played by George Cameron and Ex-4 Seasons member Gerry Polci.

Tom Finn is currently a very successful Mobile DJ who performs in the Hamptons as well as worldwide. A few of his clients include Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, and The Hiltons.

"Two By Two" and "Love Songs In The Night" from the movie soundtrack Hot Parts were credited to Steve Martin but the members of the Left Banke perform on them. The Left Banke name was not used because their management (Dominic Sicilia) thought the name would depict them as an oldies group and also because they were released by Buddah rather than Smash/Mercury.

Michael co-wrote "Do You Remember When" for Reparata And The Delrons. That group is best known for their song "Whenever A Teenager Cries."

"Sunday Will Never Be The Same" was offered to The Left Banke who turned it down. It became a hit for Spanky And Our Gang.

Lead guitarist Rick Brand is now a psychiatrist in New York.

Emmett Lake filled in for Michael Brown on keyboard in live shows when Michael decided to be a studio musican. After he left, Tom Fair took over.

Anne Murray did a cover of "She May Call You Up Tonight." Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs covered the song in 2006.

Jens Lekman has used Left Banke samples in two of his songs; Black Cab samples "There's Something On My Mind" and Maple Leaves samples "Walk Away Renee."

The group that recorded "And Suddenly" and "Ivy Ivy" under the Left Banke name included Bert Sommer and Mike McKean.

Steve Martin Caro's less-than-clear but authentic vocals on "Walk Away Renee" are a combination of Steve having the flu and not being in the mood to sing the song.

Rick Derringer played the pedal steel part on a 1968 acetate Left Banke demo called "I Have Been Searching" that can be found on Leftbankeisms v1.

The song "Bryant Hotel" was based on the hotel where Tom Finn and Steve Martin Caro lived in the 1960's. Their rooms were numbers 409 and 302 respectively. The hotel still exisits and is now called Ameritania.

Boston's "More Than A Feeling" was greatly inspired by "Walk Away Renee."