Johnny Brandon

{{Short description|English singer (1925–2017)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

File:Singer_&_songwriter_Johnny_Brandon.jpg

Johnny Brandon (16 July 1925 – 26 July 2017) was an English singer and songwriter, popular during the 1950s, who recorded for a number of labels. His perennial backing group was known as The Phantoms.{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/artist/johnny-brandon/uk|title=Johnny Brandon Discography - UK - 45cat|website=www.45cat.com}} His early hits included "Tomorrow" and "Don't Worry". He also recorded versions of "Slow Poke" (re-titled as "Slow Coach") and "Painting the Clouds with Sunshine".

Brandon later composed several Off-Broadway musicals, including Cindy (1964) and Billy Noname (1970).{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Johnny-Brandon/|title=Johnny Brandon Theatre Credits|website=www.broadwayworld.com}} In 1979, he was jointly nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score for his work on Eubie!.{{cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/eubie-4068/#awards|title=Eubie! – Broadway Musical – Original - IBDB|website=www.ibdb.com}} Brandon is also known for his involvement in the musicals Ain't Doin' Nothin' But Singin' My Song (1982) and Oh, Diahne! (1997).

Brandon released his first solo album, Then and Now, in 2005 (albeit as a compilation of his old recordings combined with several that were new).[http://www.thevillager.com/villager_114/villagarea.html Village area resident releases new album ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210138/http://www.thevillager.com/villager_114/villagarea.html |date=2007-09-27 }}, The villager.com. Retrieved November 13, 2006. He died on 26 July 2017, at the age of 92.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/776a4c38-657d-45e6-8045-b14601b08d67|title=Johnny Brandon - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music|website=BBC}}