The Brothers Four first got together in Seattle in 1957, with Dick Foley, Mike Kirkland, John Paine, and Bob Flick as the founding members. The “Brothers” in their name refers to the fact all four were members of the same fraternity. Despite line-up changes, Bob Flick is still with the group 66 years after they first started.
The Brothers Four are a folk group, exceling in a genre that was popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Groups like the Kingston Trio, The Weavers, and Peter, Paul, and Mary hit the charts regularly, as did the Brothers Four. Among their biggest hits are “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore,” “Greenfields,” and “Try to Remember.” Their vocal work blends seamlessly with their acoustic instruments of bass, banjo, guitar, and mandolin.
Since they began performing, they have toured the world, performed with jazz greats and symphony orchestras, sung at the White House, and appeared at thousands of concerts on college campuses. Their version of the song “The Green Leaves of Summer,” which was on the soundtrack of the film “The Alamo,” won them an Academy Award nomination. A concert review says:
“Throughout, the band performed with the appealing harmonies and creative vocal arrangements that earned them a worldwide following.”
The Brothers Four will be at the Kirkland Performance Center on Thursday, April 20 at 8:00pm, where organizers can use poster printing to create appropriate advertising.