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Michael Brown
1949 - 2015
Michael Brown
1949 - 2015
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1949
DIED
2015
Michael Brown Obituary
He was 65.
Brown died of heart failure Thursday, according to Marge Finn, a family friend.
Born Michael Lookofsky, Brown grew up in Brooklyn. A keyboardist and songwriter for the band The Left Banke, he co-wrote the 1966 hit "Walk Away Renee" - The Left Banke's biggest hit, which rose to No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart - and composed "Pretty Ballerina," which rose to No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Brown is survived by his wife, Yvonne, and twin sons Skylar and Adrian, both 17, Finn said.
Copyright © 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
78 Entries
Priscilla Gray
September 3, 2024
May the Lord bless you and your family and may you have as many blessings as the joy with which you have shared your music
Deborah Swanger Fortier
September 2, 2023
We met at Amherst Summer Music Center in Raymond, Maine (1966?). He was a sensitive and loving person. He played Pretty Ballerina on the piano for me before his band recorded it. I thought it was the most beautiful song. We met a few times in NYC. He was a fragile and talented and beautiful friend. It makes me happy to know he was married and had wonderful children. Debby Swanger (Fortier)
Bill Weaks
September 8, 2021
I have listened to Walk Away Renee and Pretty Ballerina over and over in the last few weeks. Great musical memories from my youth, and I just wanted to say how much Michael touched me through his work. So happy to read he is with God through Christ.
Chuck Zak
December 15, 2020
Michael was a superior musician and songwriter and brings me joy unto this very day!
How you can show support
David Tetzlaff
October 25, 2019
I really appreciate his songs such as Desirée.There were some real masterpieces!
Michael Hughes
June 23, 2019
I have loved Pretty Ballerina and Walk Away Renee since the first time I heard them. Michael Brown was a brilliant song writer and musician. Michael Hughes
October 18, 2018
Walk Away Renee , My all time favorite song. I only found out today Michael had passed. What a talent! So sorry for the family and his fans. RIP Michael
Phyllis
August 3, 2016
So sad the world has lost such a wonderful person. A true genius. His music has touched the depths of our souls. To Michael's family, I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and father. My heart goes out to you, you are in my prayers <3
Sandy Suzuki
March 7, 2016
To the family of Michael Brown, my heart goes out to you how sad to lose him. I loved the Left Banke my first 45 I bought was Walk away Renee and so know that he left his print on the world. RIP Michael
Voxx Voltair
June 20, 2015
Thank you for the gift of your music, Michael. You are missed. ~Voxx~
Mark Blevins
June 15, 2015
I am a longtime fan of The Left Banke's music. I am very sorry to learn of Michael Brown's passing. His family is in my tho'ts and prayers. Peace.
June 10, 2015
John 11:33 says: "When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping and groaning, he groaned within himself and became troubled." Jesus expressed tears when his friend Lazarus died, he knows how it feels to lose a dead loved one and he understands what you and your family are experiencing. May this bring you and your family comfort in this time of need. cjp (fla.)
I will always be here for the family.
Robert Bartel
May 15, 2015
I know Michael just a very short time ,but I loved his music all of my life. My heart goes out to Yvonne , Skylard, Adrian. The Lord and His Angels are around you ,and so his Michael. I grieve with you all.
Barbara Tripp
May 11, 2015
My heartfelt sympathies to Michael Brown's family and friends on his passing. With the gift of Christ in his life, the mountain is moving for him...
Sam Kogon
May 11, 2015
Michael,
Although we never met in person, I've had the honor and pleasure of getting to know your loving wife and sons and have even performed songs you wrote with them on stage. Through this all, I feel like I've gotten to know you, in a way.
Your music lives on in all of us!
-Sam Kogon
Jude Lyons
May 11, 2015
RIP Michael Brown....Your Music and the Music of your Family will Live Forever...
May 11, 2015
RIP Michael Brown! There are no words...Your Music and Your family's music will live forever....
Gloria Tenewitz
May 11, 2015
My sisters-in-law listened to them practice in the old days when they lived in Englewood. I've gotten to know Michael only through his beautiful and talented wife and children. Knowing them tells me what a wonderful husband and dad he was. I love this family and am honored to know them. Thank you, Michael, for your impact on the world through your songs and through your family!
Steven Bakur
May 10, 2015
someone who's music has always inspired me, a wonderful songwriter/keyboardist, and master of melodicism....thanks Michael.....fortunately for all of us...your magical melodies shall always remain...
Marg Finn
May 10, 2015
A brother from another mother, a member of a family I married into. The Left Banke was a unit of a unique family. Once you were in, you are forever in. I will miss your humor, I will miss seeing the pride in your eyes when Skylar and Adrian are close to you. Your loss has left an emptiness in my friend Yvonne's heart. She will heal, but I know I know you will always remain a part of her soul. Bless you dearest Michael.
Tom Finn
May 10, 2015
I had the distinct pleasure to befriend Michael Brown and work with him as a member of The Left Banke and onward for just about 50 years. I'll miss him mostly as a friend and also as a great songwriter. He was a good husband and father as well
Yvonne.
May 10, 2015
Thank you to ALL for the beautiful words about our beloved Michael. We would like to say that Michael received the gift of Eternal Life through Jesus Christ before he died. He is in Heaven!
.
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.
The Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let the one who hears say, Come! Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life." Revelation 22.
Brenda
April 2, 2015
So sorry to hear of Michael's death. I choose to remember his accomplishments that will remain with us. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds during this period of sadness. My condolences to the family!
T january
March 31, 2015
March 31, 2015
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. May the God of comfort be with you all during this hard time.
Anthony Hines,I
March 26, 2015
To the Brown Family:
I want to express my sincere condolences to you on your loss. The world has been made a better place because of the musical genius of Mr. Michael Brown. I remember as a child listening to the radio and hearing "WALK AWAY RENEE " and "PRETTY BALLERINA." Music has made a difference in my life and I am eternally grateful for the life of Mr. Michael Brown.
God bless and keep you all!
Lenore Kramer
March 25, 2015
Yvonne, So sorry for your loss
k gamez
March 25, 2015
As the days continue forward and you continue to mourn the passing of Michael Brown, please remember that God sees your suffering. Let him be your refuge and may the God of all comfort bring you peace, in your heart and mind. Psalms 119:76, Numbers 6:26
Alfred Vanderbilt
March 24, 2015
He was a beautiful soul and a tremendous, prodigious talent, It was an honor working with him as an engineer.
March 23, 2015
Sorry for your lost
long time fan
March 23, 2015
Sad to hear of his passing. Loved his imitation of McCartney on "I'm coming Home" (stories) and Rod Stewart on
"Brother Louie".
March 23, 2015
May the God of compassion comfort the family, your hearts are heavy with sorrow, the hearer of prayer will always have a listen ear my sincere and heartfelt prayer are with you Psalm 65:2. E.L.Atlanta, GA.
Linda Lewis
March 23, 2015
Recently, I was sitting in my car, waiting for a stop light to change. "Pretty Ballerina" came on the radio and beautiful memories came flooding back to me. I hadn't heard that song for a very long time. It is hauntingly beautiful, and it made my day. RIP Michael.
John Collins
March 23, 2015
Thank you for your wonderful songs, Michael. Your family will always have them to remember you. May God reward you and give your family comfort.
John C.
Eleanor Campbell
March 23, 2015
Sorry to hear of the passing of the writer of that beautiful song. I gave my daughter the middle name Renee after hearing Walk away Renee. My condolences to the family.
Darlend Dunn
March 23, 2015
So sorry for the loss of Michael this is the one thing we all face no matter who you are where you live we are Adams children and we inherented death from him. But thanks to JEHOVAH who sent his son to die for us all we can live again one day on a paradise earth with no more sick suffering or evil. May you find comfort in the Bible that gives us hope of a bright future he is just sleep Jesus is going to wake him soon along with many others.
March 22, 2015
My deepest condolences. Michael touched my life deeply and I didn't even know him. Isn't that amazing? Chris
Linda Gelinas
March 22, 2015
Thank you for writing those two beautiful songs Michael. They will live on forever and ever. Rest in peace.
Izetta Williams
March 22, 2015
So sorry for your loss. May the God of peace be present with you. Jesus said, pray for God's Kingdom to come where sickness that leads to death will be eliminated forever. (Matthew 6:10) Amen.
John ( DIZZY )
March 22, 2015
I so deeply sorry to hear about Michaels passing. He was a very talented man and made a big impact on the music world at a very young age. I am very proud to have known him and proud to have been able to do some minor work with him.
GOD BLESS YOU.
D Tyler
March 22, 2015
I wish to extend my deep sincere condolences to the Brown family. Death can be such a painful process for family and friends. "Walk Away Renee" was one of my favorite songs. May the God of tender mercies and comfort, comfort you in knowing that there will soon be no more death Isaiah25:8. Hoping that family and friends shared memories will offer your family strength and comfort along with prayers as this painful time gets older day by day.
Harry Simpson
March 22, 2015
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Sandra Reed
March 21, 2015
So sorry for your loss. I send my sincere condolences to you during your time of loss and grief. May God's grace be ever present with you.
Cindy Thornburg
March 21, 2015
Michael wrote hauntingly beautiful songs. Now those songs will be even sadder for knowing that he left us so soon. Deepest sympathies to the family. Know that we shall see him again.
Holden W.
March 21, 2015
The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same...
Paul McCartney
March 21, 2015
Condolences to Michaeal's family, friends and former bandmates. The Left Banke was an amazing band and Michael was a gifted song writer. May he rest in peace.
Rev. Mike Petroski
March 21, 2015
I am thankful for Michael's composing talents, especially "Pretty Ballerina".
May he rest in peace.
March 21, 2015
Please accept my deepest sympathy. May the God of all comfort, provide your family with the needed strength to endure the loss of your love one.
Adrian Barnette
March 21, 2015
We'll miss you !
March 21, 2015
My sincerest condolences about the loss of Michael, I hope your find memories of him and trust in the God of comfort can get you through this difficult time.
Jane Dowling
March 21, 2015
"Walk Away Renee" will always be one of my favorite songs - it brings back memories...God bless you and your loved ones ~ Rest in peace.
March 21, 2015
So sorry for the loss of this soul,may the love of God be with the family at this time...Matt.5:4......
Doug
March 21, 2015
"Walk Away" is One of my all time favorite songs!! Rest in peace Michael and thank you for your gifts and talents. Peace and comfort to your family.
March 21, 2015
Thank you for the beautiful music; safe travels.
March 21, 2015
May You continue in your next phase to contribute your music like "pretty ballerina"
March 21, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Dwayne Bickham,Sr.
March 21, 2015
In God's care rest in peace
B Lucas
March 21, 2015
There is an appointed time for everything, A time for every activity under the heavens: A time for birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what was planted; A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up; A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to wail and a time to dance. My sincere condolence.
tina
March 21, 2015
My thoughts and prayers go to the family of Michael Brown. May the "God of comfort" sustain you during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1,2
Virginia Tamuts
March 21, 2015
What beautiful music Michael Brown has given us out of a very special part of his heart. This music will be a part of our lives forever. May God comfort his family in their loss. My sincere condolences.
2 Corinthians 1:3, 4
March 21, 2015
I'm sorry for your loss. May "the God of all comfort" provide your family with the needed strength to endure as you mourn for your loss.
March 21, 2015
I am the same age as Michael. What a talent he was. I loved the band and him.
God rest his soul.
Bob Wilson Huntsville AL
March 21, 2015
My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends during this difficult time. I hope that the promise found in 1 Thessalonians 4 : 14 can bring you some comfort. It is so reassuring knowing that there is a future for the ones we have lost in death
March 21, 2015
One of my favourite songs in high school , RIP BROTHER... Steve
March 21, 2015
Such a talented person, we are so sorry for your loss. May you be blessed with the peace of God that surpasses all thought during this time of mourning.
March 21, 2015
Comfort from knowing that God feels for us when we suffer.Zechariah 2:8.
Phyllis Bauer
March 21, 2015
My deepest sympathy to the Brown family. Walk Away Renee was my 1st 45 I bought with my allowance when I was young. Their songs were great. He will be remembered.
Rose Paolillo
March 21, 2015
RIP! You are in Rock & Roll Heaven Now! Thanks for The Great Music!
March 20, 2015
RIP....Loved those two hit songs.
michelle plakas-kaiser
March 20, 2015
rip
March 20, 2015
May the all wise and knowing Father of peace grant your family a calm and firm heart.
M.H. Baltimore
George Bongert
March 20, 2015
My very deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Family of Michael Brown. I too was a young lad of 16 when he wrote Just Walk Away Renee. May God comfort you on the loss of Husband and Father.
March 20, 2015
We are grateful to have his legacy of beautiful music. I hope to meet him in Paradise.
March 20, 2015
Mary Jo sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Bob and Karen Harrison
Scott Chamberland
March 20, 2015
Rest in Peace
Carl Villanueva
March 20, 2015
So sad to hear of Michael's passing. I thank him so much for the gift of his music. Fortunately, it will continue to live on.
G. Freeman
March 20, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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