Alexander Brown 1950-2007

Alexander Brown, Tony Riley(F), David Turner (B) and Richard Poindexter

Last year I was lucky enough to meet Alexander Brown and the rest of the Persuaders in New Jersey. Sadly this week, I discovered that Alexander had died and we have lost another great guy on the soul scene. My thoughts are with his family and friends and Richard, David and Tony of the Persuaders.

Tonight in Brooklyn there will be a tribute as follows:

Brooklyn: The Soul-Patrol Pre Convention Concert & Tribute
To the Late Alex Brown: Persuaders LIVE w/Marcel & the Truth @ Frank's Place (Showtime 9:30)

Alexander Brown was born on June, 3rd, 1950 in Perdue Hill, Alabama.

The Persuaders website has the following biography for Alexander:

"As a young boy Alex sat in at numerous "Friday night fish fries" Which would be a gathering of people frying good fish listening and/or playing good music and dancing in the moonlight all night long.

As a toddler he was nicknamed 'Bud' by his Uncle, Sam Hardaway, for trying to sneak a sip of his beer. He always had passion and love for music and sang in his local church choir. He tried to sing every song he heard on the radio and anywhere else to better his skills, with the help of his cousins, The Hardaway Twins, he developed a deeper understanding of singing and harmonies.

He spent some of his best childhood years in Pensacola Florida as well as New York City and eventually moved to New York City from Monroeville, Alabama in his late teens.

He started to sing with local groups in the streets of NYC. They would sing under the streetlamps, in hallways, and abandon buildings listening and searching for a sound that was easy on the ears, that "perfect sound".

Eventually, he met and befriended Douglas "Smokey" Scott, The then to be future lead singer of The Persuaders. One day Douglas Scott took Alex to a rehearsal of the group that was yet to be named the Persuaders. Alexander was encouraged by Scott to become an understudy.

After meeting and hearing Richard & Robert Poindexter in action working with the group, Alex felt he needed to perfect his skill and retreated to do so. He then was drafted into the armed services and did a tour of duty in Vietnam during the war.

After returning to the United States he started to sing with a group titled The Natural Blend. He continued to follow the success of The Persuaders, after returning to civilian life he performed in a host of musical groups; Rhythm City Project (RCP), Sudden Moves, Prime Source, Intimate D'Tales and of course The Persuaders. The Persuaders has had various line up changes; B.J. Barnes, Douglas "Smokey" Scott, Willie B. Holland, and John Tobias. Charles Stoghill, Thomas "Tommy" Hill, Robert Holliman and others."

He was a member of the current Persuaders with Richard Poindexter, David Turner, Tony "Showtime" Riley.

Alexander once said; "I am eternally grateful and honored to be chosen by Tommy Hill to be a Persuader and I would like to encourage everyone to pursue your 'DREAM' relentlessly, and I hope you will be rewarded as I have been, seeing your Dream become a reality."A viewing for Alexander will be held as follows:

The Unity Funeral Chapel
2352 8th Ave.
Harlem
May 7, and May 8, 2007 from 2:00 pm-8:00 pm.
*****
The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alexander Brown Fund. C/O Alex Brown Fund1681 Watson AvenueBronx, NY 10472

Funeral Services will be held at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Friday, May 11 at 11:00 am in Claiborne, Alabama.

Alexander Brown RIP and thanks for the memories