Tony Brent

Tony Brent (born Reginald Hogan Bretagne; 13 August 1926 – 19 June 1993)^[1][2] was a British traditional pop singer, most active in the 1950s. He scored seven top 20 chart hits in the UK over an almost six-year period, starting in December 1952.^[1]

Tony Brent
Background information
Born	Reginald Hogan Bretagne (1926-08-13)13 August 1926 Byculla, Bombay, India
Died	19 June 1993(1993-06-19) (aged 65) Sydney, Australia
Genres	Traditional pop
Occupation	Singer
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	1949 – early 1980s
Labels	Columbia

Biography

Brent was born Reginald Hogan Bretagne^[1][3] of Anglo-Indian descent and lived at Ebrahim Terrace, Spence Road, Byculla, Bombay, India. During the 1950s Brent became a popular UK-based vocalist, having relocated there on Boxing Day in 1947.^[4] Two years after his move, Brent entered and won in a talent show held at the Regal Theatre in Kingston. He sang "Some Enchanted Evening", which led on to working with both Ambrose and Cyril Stapleton's BBC Showband.^[4] His subsequent chart hits included "Walkin' to Missouri", "Cindy, Oh Cindy" and "Dark Moon".^[4] Brent's hits were all released on the Columbia label.^[1] He enjoyed iconic status in South Asia, where his hits topped the music charts on Radio Ceylon.

He resumed his travels in 1961 and left the UK to live in Australia.^[4] He owned a succession of Indian food restaurants whilst maintaining his singing career. Brent died in Sydney at the age of 65 of a heart attack in June 1993.^[4] His ashes were scattered in the Ganges.^[3]

Chart single discography

All entries relate to the UK singles chart.^[1]

• "Walkin' to Missouri" (1952) – no. 7
• "Make it Soon" (1953) – no. 9
• "Got You on My Mind" (1953) – no. 12
• "Cindy, Oh Cindy" (1956) – no. 16
• "Dark Moon" (1957) – no. 17
• "The Clouds Will Soon Roll By" (1958) – no. 20
• "Girl of My Dreams" (1958) – no. 16
• "Why Should I Be Lonely?" (1959) – no. 24

See also

• List of Anglo-Indians