BIO
TWINKLE BROTHERS
The Twinkle Brothers hail from the
north coast of Jamaica in the ghettos of Falmouth, the Parish of Trelawny.
The two brothers, Norman and Ralston Grant, were baptized
in the church of Anglican Diocese. They started singing in the Sunday
school choir and concerts at the age of six and eight respectively.
At that time they started to make their own instruments since they
could no afford to buy them. They made guitars and drums from various
tin cans (garbage can, sardine, milk, etc.) and fishing line.
After Jamaica received her independence
from England in the early 60's, the Twinkle Brothers started to sing
in real competitions. At that time the government of Jamaica started
National Competitions called "Pop and Mento" festivals. In these competitions
you would start at Parish level, then go the regional level. If successful
there, you move on to the National finals. For years the Twinkle Brothers
were Parish champions, then went onto the Regional finals where (according
to the crowds and the Twinkle Brothers) they were cheated out of the
winning crown for two consecutive years. However, the third time being
the charm, they broke the barriers at the Regional finals in Montego
Bay, and then went on to the Nationals in Kingston. This time they
were victorious, winning first place in the "group" category! Norman
won first place in the "solo" category. They reigned supreme for years
in that competition coming away with several medals.
In the early sixties they joined a
band in their hometown, Falmouth. The band was called The Cardinals.
All the members were Falmouthians, some from middle-class society-teachers,
bankers, and accountants. Norman and Ralston were the only "ghetto
boys." The Cardinals started playing in hotels and nightclubs throughout
the island.
By the late sixties the Twinkle Brothers
decided to do some recording and went to Kingston to try to get an
audition with labels like Coxson, Prince Buster, Beverly's and Treasure
Isle, to name a few. They were fortunate enough to get their first
recording, a solo by Norman called "Somebody Please Help Me",
recorded by Leslie Kong on the Beverly's label. A year later the got
their first group single, "Matthew and Mark", recorded by Duke
Ried on the Treasure Isle label.
In 1970, the entered the Jamaica
Festival Song competition and placed third behind Hopeton Lewis and
the Jamaicans - both groups on the Treasure Isle label. During that
time, the Twinkle Brothers were on the Jack Pot label, produced by
Bunny Lee. From there they moved to bigger and better things - recording
for Dynamic Sounds, Federal Records, Sun Shot and Upsetter labels.
In 1970 they formed their own Twinkle label. They currently have 60+
albums (and counting) and numerous singles to their credit (this could
change before you read this!) a live Sunsplash album and video, one
live album in Poland and three albums on the Virgin label. They have
toured the United States many times and several times in Europe, Africa
and Scandinavia. They've performed at festivals nationally and internationally;
a few of them are the Essential Festival in Brighton, England, Bob
Marley Days, Reggae on the River, Sunsplash, Reggae in the Park, the
Hemp Festival, Roots Mountain Festival, Monterey Bay Reggae Fest,
Helsinki Reggae Festival, Holland's Reggae Eruption, Festivals in
Canada, Spain, Germany, Poland and many more. They are now preparing
for another Family Reunion Tour this summer. Aptly titled, this tour
will feature Ralston's wife, Della Grant, along with other family
members and friends.
TWINKLE RECORDS
P.O. Box 8193
Emeryville, CA 94662-8193
USA
TEL: (510) 918-0354
FAX: (510) 428-1143
www.twinklemusic.com
&
43 Glenelg Road
London, SW2 5 JU
Phone: +0208-673-2485
England
