Brett Smiley
Encyclopedia
Brett Smiley is an American
singer-songwriter
who was active in the UK
during the glam rock
era of the early 1970s. Smiley released one single, "Va Va Va Voom," and made an appearance on the Russell Harty
television show.
on Broadway
.
In 1974, Smiley – who, at the time, was managed and produced by Rolling Stones
manager Andrew Loog Oldham
– recorded an album, Breathlessly Brett. The album – which includes the songs "Va Va Va Voom" and "Space Ace" – remained unreleased until 2004, when RPM Records included it as part of its Lipsmackin' 70s collection.
Smiley also starred as the Prince, in the 1977 American erotic musical comedy Cinderella.
In 2004, rock biographer Nina Antonia
published a book about Smiley, The Prettiest Star: Whatever Happened to Brett Smiley.
Smiley still performs occasionally in New York City
, and is recording songs for a new CD.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
who was active in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during the glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
era of the early 1970s. Smiley released one single, "Va Va Va Voom," and made an appearance on the Russell Harty
Russell Harty
Russell Harty was an English television presenter of arts programmes and chat shows.-Early life:Born Frederick Russell Harty in Blackburn, Lancashire, he was the son of a fruit and vegetable stallholder on the local market...
television show.
Career
Smiley began his career as a child actor, playing OliverOliver Twist
Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens, published by Richard Bentley in 1838. The story is about an orphan Oliver Twist, who endures a miserable existence in a workhouse and then is placed with an undertaker. He escapes and travels to...
on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
.
In 1974, Smiley – who, at the time, was managed and produced by Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
manager Andrew Loog Oldham
Andrew Loog Oldham
Andrew Loog Oldham is an English producer, talent manager, impresario and author. He was manager and producer of The Rolling Stones from 1963, and was noted for his flamboyant style.-Biography:...
– recorded an album, Breathlessly Brett. The album – which includes the songs "Va Va Va Voom" and "Space Ace" – remained unreleased until 2004, when RPM Records included it as part of its Lipsmackin' 70s collection.
Smiley also starred as the Prince, in the 1977 American erotic musical comedy Cinderella.
Cinderella (1977 film)
Cinderella is a 1977 American erotic musical comedy, starring Cheryl "Rainbeaux" Smith, Brett Smiley and Sy Richardson, and directed by Michael Pataki.-Plot:...
In 2004, rock biographer Nina Antonia
Nina Antonia
Nina Antonia is an English music journalist and author. She has written articles and books about punk-rock era recording artists, including Johnny Thunders and Peter Perrett and has contributed to Mojo and Spiral Scratch magazines, written liner notes for The Stooges live recording Studio Sessions...
published a book about Smiley, The Prettiest Star: Whatever Happened to Brett Smiley.
Smiley still performs occasionally in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and is recording songs for a new CD.