Born Elaine Bookbinder in Salford, Manchester, Elkie Brooks has become one of the most successful and respected singing talents in the UK. Her career has spanned nearly five decades, produced 19 studio albums, and earned her numerous awards and accolades.
I was first aware of Elkie when she fronted Vinegar Joe...Back then she was often compared to the late great Janis Joplin
Vinegar Joe was a British R&B band in the early 1970s, who were best known for live shows.
The core members were lead singers Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer, bassist Steve York, keyboard player Tim Hinkley and guitarist Pete Gage .
They released three albums on different record labels defore the band dissolved at the end of 1973.
Around 1976 Elkie formed her own band and released an album followed by a tour. band members consisted of
Elkie Brooks (vocals)
Isaac Guillory (guitar)
Steve York (bass)
Tim Hinkley (keyboards)
Trevor Morais (drums)
Jimmy Chambers (backing vocals)
I managed to see Elkie in one of these concerts during 1977 at Ronnie Scott's club in London and she was brilliant, The songs 'Pearl's a singer' and 'Sunshine after the rain' were hits in the UK around then.
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Elkie is 64 years of age now and tonight, I am with anticipation, looking forward to seeing her perform at Wakefield Theatre Opera house.
She has consistly performed throughout the years so although I don't quite know what to expect tonight, what I am sure of is that she will still be giving it her best shot.