When Johnny Brandon’s autobiography arrived, I said to my wife, “Did you know Johnny Brandon was called the King Of Zing?” “No,” she said, “Does anyone else?” That, unfortunately, summarises the trouble with his book. The events, mostly prerock’n’roll, are so long ago that they need to be told in a straightforward, chronological manner, and this wayward text is going to confuse readers.
It’s a pity, because Brandon has an intriguing story. In the 50s, he was a white crooner and West End performer (Love From Judy) with a black boyfriend and, although he doesn’t say so, he must have been wary of being outed, which would have ended his career. In the mid-50s, they moved to New York and Brandon wrote for several rock’n’roll and doo wop acts. He also wrote for Mark Wynter and Billy Fury, but we’re not told what songs.
Following the death of his partner, Brandon felt compelled to tell his story, but the book needs better proofing, as well as full details of his records and compositions. According to the text, his own singles, Slow Coach and Tomorrow, were No 1s, although the chart books say otherwise. And why was he called the King Of Zing? Again, the book doesn’t explain.
