The Alexander Brothers:
Two Music Legends
Direct from Scotland
VANCOUVERis no stranger to the Alexander Brothers who have delighted audiences around the world for years as part of the White Heather Show. They have also played the United Scottish Cultural Centre innumerable times, never disappointing their loyal following!
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THE ALEXANDER BROTHERS - Tom and Jack - have delighted audiences around the world for almost 50 years.
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Tom and Jack, were born in Cambusnethan, near Wishaw. Their father, Jimmy worked in the local steel works and was the driving force behind the family. Their musical talents came from Mum, Helen who sang and played the piano.
Tom started to learn the accordion at the age of nine and in 1952 won the Classical Open Solo at the N.A.O. Championships in Glasgow. Jack started piano studies when 11 and within six years had several diplomas to his name.
On leaving school the "boys," as they were affectionately known, gained valuable experience in front of live audiences all over central Scotland. They went on to win every contest they entered from 1950 to 1956 at which time Jack did his National Service.
In 1958 they decided to turn professional and soon developed a repertoire of Scottish material. In 1962 came a major break. Songwriter Tony Hatch heard them and took them down to London to record their first album Highland Fling, on the PYE Label which was a massive seller. In 1964 they recorded Nobody's Child as a single, it was an instant hit. The critics noted that the "boys" were outselling the Beatles in Scotland!
Tom and Jack went on to record over 30 albums and countless singles for PYE and RCA. Offers from radio and televison came flooding in. They co-starred with Shirley Bassey in 1967 on the famous London Palladium Show and hosted their own show on STV which topped the ratings for many years.
Around this time they made their first trip to Canada and the States with Andy Stewart, playing all the major venues. Next, they went to Australia and New Zealand. In Sydney they starred in their own show at the Sydney Opera House with guest Jimmy Shand, an enormous success, a highlight of an incredible career.
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