Victor Brox
Victor Brox websites at
http://www.ublues.com/victorbrox/
Manchester blues legend Victor Brox studied under a variety of blues pioneers such as Big Bill Broonzy, Bo Diddley, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter and Screaming Jay Hawkins.
He has played with Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillian of Deep Purple, Charlie Mingus, Noel Redding of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Memphis Slim, Dr. John, Keith Moon of The Who, Alexis Korner, Bill Coleman, Lord David Sutch, Tete Montelieu, T.T.Swanston, Marzetta Watts and Nico.
ln the late 1960s he sang, played guitar and keyboards with The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation. They released three albums: Retaliation, Doctor Dunbar's Prescription and To mum from Aynsley and the boy's.
In 1970 Victor performed as Caiaphas on the original recording of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webbers Jesus Christ Superstar.
He appeared as a "look-alike" of Leonardo da Vinci in the motion picture Ever After in 1998.
Victor has gigged around the World from Stockport to Singapore and continues to do so in 2007.
Victor Brox Blues Train / Victor Brox and the Brox Band
Line-up has included
- Victor 'Vic' Brox - ogan (Hammond), harmonica, cornet, lead vocals
- Dunlop Walters- tenor sax, flute
- Danny Oki - alto sax, vocals
- Nigel Taylor - bass
- Richard Dhama - drums
- Jacob McNab (Archie Eugene Kenneth Jacob McNab Taylor) - congo drums, bongos
- Annette Reis (Mrs Annette Brox) - vocals, piano, sax, guitar
Some Victor Brox Blues Train concerts:
- Friday, November 20, 1964: The Little Fat Black Pussy Cat, Millergate, Bradford 1, Yorkshire, UK from 7.45pm
- Friday, January 8, 1965: The Little Fat Black Pussy Cat, Millergate, Bradford 1, Yorkshire, UK from 7.45pm & or
- Saturday, January 9, 1965: The Little Fat Black Pussy Cat, Millergate, Bradford 1, Yorkshire, UK from 7.45pm
- Sunday, January 24, 1965: Sunday Night At The Cavern for Radio Luxembourg, The Cavern, 8 - 10 Mathew Street, Liverpool 2, Lancashire, UK, with Kris Ryan and the Questions, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes
- Sunday, February 28, 1965: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK
- Saturday, May 29, 1965: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK
- Thursday, June 3, 1965: The Birch Hall, Residential Hotel, Oldham, Lancashire, UK
- Sunday, June 27, 1965: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK
- Saturday, July 31, 1965: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK
- Saturday, August 28, 1965: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK
- Saturday, September 25, 1965: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK
- Saturday, November 6, 1965: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK, as Victor Brox and Sermonettes
- Saturday, November 6, 1966: The Oasis Club, 45 - 47 Lloyd Street, off Albert Square, Manchester, Lancashire, UK
- Friday, December 24, 1965: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK, as The Victor Brox Big Band
- New Years Eve, Friday, December 31, 1965: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK, as Victor Brox
- Saturday, June 18, 1966: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK, as Victor Brox
- Monday, December 26, 1966: The Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK
- Tuesday, January 17, 1967: The Pyjama Ball, St George's Hall, Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK, with The Fourmost, John Mayall's Blues Breakers, The Alphabet, Albe's Keynes, Spowgely
Some Victor Bronx and the Brox Band concerts:
- Saturday, January 14, 1967: The Cavern, 8 - 10 Mathew Street, Liverpool 1, Lancashire, UK, supported Alan Cash and the Crawlers, as did Solomon's Mines, The Tremas, Majority Plus, The Klubs, The Pro-tems
- Friday, July 14, 1967: The UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, Soho, West London, UK, with The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Alexis Korner
info courtesy - John H. Warburg - 25/6/14
Memories
"Recently saw Victor Brox at one of his rare performances in this country - now that he's moved to the South of France (http://www.alex-nagel.de/victor/). This was in the Puzzlehall Inn in Sowerby Bridge (http://www.puzzlehallinn.co.uk). His voice is terrific and as usual, he performs a multitude of instruments, including the famous pocket cornet which I remember seeing circa '64, at the Twisted Wheel or was it the Cavern before it became the Jigsaw - could even have been the Band in the Wall.
It has to be said that Victor is now somewhat portly and has the look of an old pirate - in fact, one of his CDs has him dressed at such on the cover. Have a look at the pic and you'll see what I mean.
The songs he played were many and varied stretching from old blues standards to what can almost be called easy listening. One of my favourites was his rendition of Midnight Hour which morphed into No Woman No Cry - soul with bluebeat!
If you ever get the chance to see one of the last of the great music eccentrics ever, don't pass it over. He has a bit of a twinkle and a touch of magic."
Bob Cummings
I remember Victor at "The Cheadle Hulme Club" on a Tuesday night I think it was called "The Music box". And it was run by a guy called Melvin; from Crewe.
I was working as a drinks waiter at the time, and this was my first introduction into the blues and I have never looked back. I saw Victor a couple of times at "The Deganwy Castle Hotel". In North Wales (which is where I live now) but I will never forget the first time I ever saw him; it was a revelation that opened a young man's eyes and ears.
Colin Masterson - 15/1/11
I have attached some images that might be of interest - including a signed profile page from BEAT INSTRUMENTAL magazine from April 1969, also a ticket and three pages from a programme of a concert that took place at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester called Blues Scene 69.
Caught up with Victor at a pub in Stalybridge. brilliant night ... top muso ... still has it big time. Discussed his tour to Australia and his gig at the iconic Gov live music venue in Adelaide ... shall lobby them to get Victor back to Adelaide for an encore.
Have offered free accomodation for his stay and transport to gigs and airport. I wasn't a huge fan of the blues till I heard Victor and his band.
Paul D'Amico - Adelaide South Australia - 8/10/13
Comments
I remember the sessions well, particularly Kansas City and Dr. Jazz.
Happy days when we were all a bit younger.
I also met Victor in Adelaide, where I have lived since 1994, and attended the Gov set where I took photos which were eventually exhibited in Trades Hall.
I still have them in my rather dated portfolio.
Best wishes!
Richard Stone
I cannot remember the names of those performing with him. I lived in Glossop from 1981-91.
The sessions were really good, attracting local musicians and people associated with blues music. Were any of them filmed?
I met Victor in South Australia about twenty years ago and have some really good photos of him playing at the Gov in my portfolio.
Richard Stone
Australian Journalist: 5950028
Born in Ashton Under Lyne he attended William Hulme's Grammar School where he played trombone in the school cadet force band. He played a variety of instruments including horns, keyboards and guitar as well as being a vocalist and songwriter.
He was the original vocalist, keyboard player and guitarist with the British blues band the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation who recorded their debut album for Liberty in 1968.
Over many years he recorded and played with British blues pioneers Alexis Korner, John Mayall, Graham Bond and Eric Clapton as well as Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, jazz legend Charles Mingus, blues pianist Memphis Slim, New Orleans pianist and singer Dr John, Woodstock hero Country Joe McDonald, keyboard player and session man Peter Bardens, The Who’s Keith Moon, Traffic’s Dave Wood and Screaming Lord Sutch.
Fontana Records released a 45 in 1965 (with his wife Annette Reis) and in 1974 Sonet Records issued an album 'Rollin' Back' featuring his wife Annette and his band The Blues Train.
He was also widely known for his performance as Caiaphas on the original recording of the Jesus Christ Superstar album from 1970
He also appeared on the 1984 compilation album Manchester Rhythm & Blues.
His daughter Kyla is one of the leading members of the current British Blues scene
The Manchester Evening News ran an excellent feature on Victor to mark his passing.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/remarkable-life-blues-legend-victor-26303585
Also the Oldham Evening Chronicle
https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/139/main-news/150549/blues-legend-victor-brox-dies-aged-81
And here is an excellent interview with Victor which appeared on earlyblues.com
https://www.earlyblues.com/Interview%20-%20Victor%20Brox.htm
Tony Burke
Victor's funeral service will take place at the Albion United Reform Church in Ashton (OL6 6QQ), from 12.15pm. Parking there is limited, however, so please consider using a local car park.
Committal will then take place at the Dukinfield Crematorium, from 1.30pm.
A special musical procession has then been planned from 3pm, going from the Band on the Wall venue on Swan Street in central Manchester, heading round to Matt & Phred's, which is on Tib Street. The wake will continue at Matt & Phred's.