Brian Cole
September 8, 1942 – August 2, 1972
Brian Cole’s first foray into show business was as a stand-up comic and actor, eventually joining the Association as bassist. The group had two pop hits with “Along Comes Mary” and “Cherish.” Their other claim to fame was that the were the opening act for the legendary 1967 Monterey Pop Festival which first introduced many to the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Otis Redding. It was also considered by some historians as the beginning of the “Summer of Love.” The band continued to build an audience over the next few and were about to embark on their 1972 when Brian Cole was found dead of a heroin overdose in his room. He was just 29.
What You Should Own
Brian was such an important part of The Association. Even though he was not a prolific songwriter like some of his bandmates, Brian was the glue that kept the band together on stage. He was also an underrated singer. He had what I feel is a great rock-n-roll voice, which he exhibited to great effect on songs like “Reputation” and “I Am Up for Europe.” However, Brian also had a tender voice that could resonate well (i.e. “Little Road and a Stone to Roll”).
Brian has three children: Jordan, Chandler, and Brant. Jordan plays keyboards, guitar, and sings for The Association, while Brant is a drummer for the L.A.-based band, The Blackout Trust.
Is Brian Cole the one whom we can hear delivering a long introduction of The Association in the clips from “Smothers Brothers” and “Monterey Pop” that are on You Tube ?
Is he the one standing all the way on the right of the stages, and he explains that the band is a lot like a machine ?
If that’s him, then I must say it’s very sad that such a talented, handsome man died young.
Emotionally, Cindy
Yes Cindy, Brian Cole was the man you mentioned in the Smothers Brothers clip
My father was in a band called the briarwoods, a.k.a. The briarwood singers,ithey were one of the only bands to open up for the beatles in 64 at Carnegie hall, anyway my father would end up leaving my mother while the briarwoods were still on the upswing and to get back at my father, my mom stood in front of the associations tour bus after their show in south florida in 68 because she knew the association was one of my fathers favorite groups I think brian liked what he saw, invited mom onto the bus and they would date whenever the association was around. With a simple twist of fate, brian cole could have been my father. My mother has been telling that story to me since I was a little boy………by the way, I’m a big fan of the association,,,,,,peace,,,, paul