Song:The Three Bells
Album:Soft as the Voice of an Angel
The Browns were a very popular country music trio known for their harmonies. The 1959 hit The Three Bells not only topped the country charts but topped the pop charts. Siblings Maxine, Jim Ed and Bonnie Brown grew up in Pine Bluff, AR. Maxine and Jim Ed signed a record contract as a duo in 1954 and 18 year old Bonnie joined them in 1955. Their first single Looking Back To See was a hit after The Browns appeared on the Ernest Tubb radio show. They also appeared on Louisiana Hayride and Ozark Jubilee. The Browns signed with RCA Records in 1956 and scored with I Take The Chance and I Heard The Bluebirds Sing. Jim Ed Brown was drafted into the US Army in 1957 and another sister Norma and Billy Walker filled in while he was away. When Jim Ed returned in 1959, The Three Bells topped the country and pop charts. It was their only number one hit. A lot of fans think the song title is Jimmy Brown and that the song must be autobiographical. But the song was written by French composer Jean Villard Gilles. The English lyrics were written by Bert Reisfeld. He specialized in writing English lyrics for foreign language songs. In France the song was a hit for Edith Piaf in 1952. The English version was first recorded by The Melody Maids in 1948 and then The Andrews Sisters in 1951. But it wasn't a hit until The Browns recorded it in 1959. Other hits by The Browns include Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair) and The Old Lamplighter. You can get all of them on this Eric Records comp. Jim Ed Brown started recording solo in 1965 and that was the beginning of the end. The Browns split up in 1967. Jim Ed Brown has had a long career in music and was especially successful recording with Helen Cornelius in the 70s. He currently hosts the weekly Country Music Greats Radio Show. Maxine Brown attempted a solo career briefly and Bonnie Brown retired. The Browns reunited for the 2006 PBS show Country Pop Legends. Here are The Browns performing The Three Bells on National Life Grand Ole Opry July 16, 1965.
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