The 1960’s “baroque-pop” group The Left Banke is one of those bands that gets some recognition, but for the most part is underexposed. Although their music isn’t nearly as groundbreaking as the Beatles and Beach Boys, there are definitely similarities in their sound. Their hit song “Walk Away Renée” is ranked #220 on Rolling Stones list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The lead singer of the band, Michael Brown, wrote the song when he was 16 years old, and it was about fellow band member Tom Finn’s girlfriend, who he fell in love with. He says when they went to record the song “My hands were shaking when I tried to play, because she was right there in the control room. There was no way I could do it with her around, so I came back and did it later.”

The New York band formed in 1965 by members Michael Brown, George Camron, Tom Finn, Warren David, and Steve Martin. There were some tensions in the band from pretty much the beginning of their formation, and over several years some members were replaced, and the group took breaks here and there. At one point the band even split, and there were two Left Banke’s, which as you might suspect, brought confusion among radio stations and fans. Here is a site where you can learn more about the band, and download some b-sides (Leftbankeisms Vol 1) and music from other projects band members did (Leftbankeisms Vol 2).

“Pretty Ballerina”:

The Left Banke – Pretty Ballerina

The Eels – Pretty Ballerina (The Left Banke Cover)

“Walk Away Renée”:

The Left Banke РWalk Away Ren̩e

Left Banke Cover’s:

The Four Tops – “Walk Away Renée”

Elliott Smith – “Walk Away Renée”

Billy Bragg – “Walk Away Renée”