The Paley Brothers
| Company type | Duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Andy Paley, Jonathan Paley |
| Defunct | 1979 |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
The Paley Brothers were an American power pop duo consisting of siblings Andy and Jonathan Paley, who came together in 1976. Their career included the release of one full-length album and an EP before they parted ways in 1979, though the brothers continued to work together afterward. Their music featured a clean-cut AM radio pop sound, setting them apart from other power pop groups that often embraced irony or aggression.[1]
Although they did not achieve significant commercial success, the Paley Brothers cultivated a devoted underground fan base through live shows at venues like CBGB[1] and extensive tours supporting acts such as Shaun Cassidy and the Patti Smith Group. Music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described them as "possibly the finest example of a band that, by almost every standard, should have become stars."[1]
Formation
The Paley Brothers were formed by Andy Paley alongside his younger brother Jonathan, who was a guitarist and vocalist active in Boston’s early punk scene and had played with groups including Mong. The pair officially launched the Paley Brothers while Jonathan was still performing with Mong in 1976.[2]
Under contract with Sire Records, they issued a four-track EP produced by Jimmy Iovine in 1976, followed by a self-titled album featuring ten songs produced by Earle Mankey in 1977 (with the exception of "Come Out and Play" from the EP). This album was later re-released with twelve tracks: one original song was removed, two tracks from the EP were added, along with a single recorded in collaboration with the Ramones, a cover of Ritchie Valens' "Come On Let's Go," which also appeared on the Ramones' Rock 'n' Roll High School soundtrack. The recording took place during lead vocalist Joey Ramone’s illness and prior to drummer Tommy Ramone’s departure.[3]
Their album combined elements of power pop, punk, and straightforward rock influences.[4] Although it did not enter the charts, Sire Records enlisted producer Phil Spector in 1978 to record "Baby, Let's Stick Together" for what would have been their second album. According to Sire’s head Seymour Stein, this session was among the final recordings by the Wrecking Crew at Gold Star Recording Studios before it was destroyed by fire.[5] Additionally, the brothers appeared in the films Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) and Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979).[6]
Breakup
The sessions with Phil Spector caused friction between Andy and Jonathan; Jonathan later reflected that although collaborating with Spector was "amazing," it also proved draining and influenced his decision to explore other paths. The group dissolved in 1979 when Jonathan joined the Nervous Eaters. As a result, their second album and the Spector-produced single remained unreleased. Their last official release was a 1980 novelty track titled "Jacques Cousteau," issued under the name The Young Jacques. Despite the Nervous Eaters disbanding after producer Ric Ocasek was prevented from working on their sophomore album, The Paley Brothers never reunited. Jonathan characterized their separation as a natural progression: Andy went on to tour with Patti Smith’s band and transitioned into production work, while Jonathan shifted his focus toward sailing.
Post-breakup
Following their separation, Jonathan and Andy Paley occasionally joined forces, most notably co-authoring Jerry Lee Lewis's successful track "It Was the Whiskey Talkin' (Not Me)" along with two other songs featured on the 1990 Dick Tracy soundtrack.
In 2013, The Paley Brothers unveiled The Paley Brothers: The Complete Recordings, a collection that included 11 previously unheard tracks from 1978–79—presumably intended for a second album—such as "Baby, Let's Stick Together," in addition to fifteen selections from their earlier EP, debut album, and the Young Jacques single.
Andy Paley died on November 20, 2024, at the age of 73.
Discography
- Studio album
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1978 | The Paley Brothers
|
- Compilation
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2013 | The Complete Recordings
|
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