Tommy Bruce, the star behind one of the most memorable hits of the early 1960s is to be celebrated in a new biography entitled Have Gravel Will Travel.
Along with his backing group, The Bruisers, Tommy Bruce rode high in the UK pop charts in 1960 with his pop cover of the Fats Waller standard Ain’t Misbehavin. The track, produced by Cliff Richard’s producer Norrie Paramor reached No.3 and spent over 4 months in the UK charts.
Although a minor hit, Broken Doll, followed, further chart success eluded Tommy, but in true showbusiness fashion, he maintained his popularity on the live circuit in the decades that followed.
Pop Legend’s Encounter with Future Biographer
In 1973, a chance meeting with Dave Lodge forged a friendship that would last across four decades resulting in Dave, a former sports competitor in speedway, Rugby and Marathons becoming Tommy’s manager, promoter, and official biographer. As manager and promoter for Tommy, Dave got to meet all the great rock ‘n’ rollers from the Sixties and the entertainment world of the era.
Have Gravel Will Travel not only documents Tommy’s rise to fame from Cockney Barra Boy to Rock n Roll Idol but also looks at his life in the 60s crossing paths with legends such as Billy Fury, Johnny Kidd and Joe Brown. The book also looks at the enduring partnership with the author after the 60s, unhampered by contracts and surviving on friendship through the highs and lows.
- Have Gravel Will Travel – The Official Tommy Bruce Biography by Dave Lodge is published in hardback and available from November 20 for £24.99 via Amazon and to order via WH Smith’s and Waterstones. The book can be ordered via IBSN 978-1-399-0994-5.