The Talbot Brothers of Bermuda

The story so far.

Written and edited by Smokiller

The Talbot Brothers were a calypso group from Bermuda who became known well beyond the island in the 1950s. The Bernews profile says the members were born in Tucker's Town and lists the lineup: Archie on lead vocals, guitar and harmonica, Austin on guitar and harmonica, Bryan, known as Dick, on a ten string tipple, Ross, known as Blackie, on electric guitar, Roy Talbot on bass and their cousin Cromwell "Mandy" Mandres on accordion. They organised in 1942, played the local hotels and began touring the United States in the early 1950s. Roy's upright bass, built from a meat packing crate and a single fishing line, became a famous curiosity. The group recorded for Audio Fidelity in the mid 1950s and then made the albums Calypsos and Talbot Brothers of Bermuda for ABC Paramount after signing in 1957. They also appeared on Ed Sullivan's television shows. Recording stopped in 1962, though live shows continued into the 1980s, and Roy, the last surviving brother, died in 2009.