Brenton Wood
Encyclopedia
Brenton Wood is an American
singer and songwriter
, best known for his two 1967 hit
singles
: "The Oogum Boogum Song" and "Gimme Little Sign
".
in Los Angeles
, California
. He attended San Pedro High School
for part of his freshman year before moving to Compton
, where Brenton became a member of the Compton High School
track team and received several awards for his athletic achievements.
Following his high school graduation, Wood enrolled in East Los Angeles College. Soon after, he took the stage name Brenton Wood, possibly inspired by the wealthy Los Angeles enclave of Brentwood
(some sources state that the name is in honor of his "home county"). During this period, his musical interests began to manifest themselves. He was inspired by Jesse Belvin
and Sam Cooke
, and he began cultivating his songwriting skills, also becoming a competent pianist
.
Early singles
for Brent Records and Wand Records failed to chart
. After signing with Double Shot Records, Wood had a hit with "The Oogum Boogum Song" in the spring of 1967. It reached #19 on the US
Billboard
R&B
chart and #34 on the Billboard Hot 100
listing. In Southern California, "The Oogum Boogum Song" hit the top 10 on both KHJ (AM)
in Los Angeles and on KGB-FM
in San Diego. His biggest hit came in September of the same year, as "Gimme Little Sign" hit #9 on the pop chart and #19 on the R&B charts. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc
. In addition, it peaked at #8 in the UK Singles Chart
. In the song, "Gimme Little Sign" is not sung, instead the chorus
repeats "Give Me Some Kind of Sign". In late 1967, Brenton charted a third single, "Baby You Got It", reaching #34 on the Hot 100.
Wood continued to perform, even recording a duet
with Shirley Goodman
. He reached the charts again in 1977, when "Come Softly to Me
" registered in the lower reaches of the listings. Following its release, Wood became part of the oldies soul circuit. In 2001, he returned with an album
of new material, This Love Is for Real. Among his later appearances was a 2006 appearance on the Los Angeles public access
program Thee Mr. Duran Show
, where Wood and his band performed several of his hit singles.
Wood does not own the rights to any of his songs. They are all owned by the Los Angeles disc jockey
, Art Laboe
.
. "Gimme Little Sign" was later covered by Danielle Brisebois
, who had a hit with it in 1994. "Gimme Little Sign" was also recorded
by Ricky Nelson
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, best known for his two 1967 hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
: "The Oogum Boogum Song" and "Gimme Little Sign
Gimme Little Sign
"Gimme Little Sign" is a classic soul music song by Brenton Wood. It was released in 1967 on the album The Oogum Boogum Song. It was written by Jerry Winn, Alfred Smith and Joseph Hooven...
".
Career
When Wood was a child, his family moved west to San PedroSan Pedro, Los Angeles, California
San Pedro is a port district of the city of Los Angeles, California, United States. It was annexed in 1909 and is a major seaport of the area...
in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He attended San Pedro High School
San Pedro High School
San Pedro High School is a public high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District and is located in the San Pedro portion of the city of Los Angeles, California. In 2003, the school celebrated its 100th Anniversary....
for part of his freshman year before moving to Compton
Compton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
, where Brenton became a member of the Compton High School
Compton High School
Compton High School is a high school in Compton, California, part of the Compton Unified School District.-School history:The school first opened in 1896 as Compton Union High School and then later reestablished as Compton Senior High School in the 1950s after the new community college campus opened...
track team and received several awards for his athletic achievements.
Following his high school graduation, Wood enrolled in East Los Angeles College. Soon after, he took the stage name Brenton Wood, possibly inspired by the wealthy Los Angeles enclave of Brentwood
Brentwood, Los Angeles, California
Brentwood is a district in western Los Angeles, California, United States. The district is located at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, bounded by the San Diego Freeway on the east, Wilshire Boulevard on the south, the Santa Monica city limits on the southwest, the border of Topanga State...
(some sources state that the name is in honor of his "home county"). During this period, his musical interests began to manifest themselves. He was inspired by Jesse Belvin
Jesse Belvin
Jesse Lorenzo Belvin was an American R&B singer, pianist and songwriter popular in the 1950s, whose success was cut short by his death in a car crash aged 27.-Career:...
and Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
, and he began cultivating his songwriting skills, also becoming a competent pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Early singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
for Brent Records and Wand Records failed to chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
. After signing with Double Shot Records, Wood had a hit with "The Oogum Boogum Song" in the spring of 1967. It reached #19 on the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
R&B
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart and #34 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
listing. In Southern California, "The Oogum Boogum Song" hit the top 10 on both KHJ (AM)
KHJ (AM)
KHJ Radio in Los Angeles, California broadcasts Spanish-language entertainment programming as La Ranchera. It was also one of America's most formidable Top 40 radio stations in the 1960s and 1970s as 93 KHJ before changing its format in 1980....
in Los Angeles and on KGB-FM
KGB-FM
KGB-FM is a classic rock radio station in San Diego, California. It is owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications.-History:...
in San Diego. His biggest hit came in September of the same year, as "Gimme Little Sign" hit #9 on the pop chart and #19 on the R&B charts. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
. In addition, it peaked at #8 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. In the song, "Gimme Little Sign" is not sung, instead the chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
repeats "Give Me Some Kind of Sign". In late 1967, Brenton charted a third single, "Baby You Got It", reaching #34 on the Hot 100.
Wood continued to perform, even recording a duet
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
with Shirley Goodman
Shirley Goodman
Shirley Goodman was an American R&B singer known best for "Shirley and Lee", a 1950s R&B duo. Later in her career, she had a resurgence with the disco hit, "Shame, Shame, Shame" in the 1970s...
. He reached the charts again in 1977, when "Come Softly to Me
Come Softly to Me
"Come Softly to Me" is a popular song written by Gretchen Christopher that was published in 1959 and was performed by The Fleetwoods, composed of Christopher, Gary Troxel, and Barbara Ellis. It was the first release for the new Dolphin Records label....
" registered in the lower reaches of the listings. Following its release, Wood became part of the oldies soul circuit. In 2001, he returned with an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
of new material, This Love Is for Real. Among his later appearances was a 2006 appearance on the Los Angeles public access
Public Access
Public Access is a 1993 American drama film directed by Bryan Singer in his feature film debut. Singer also wrote the screenplay with Christopher McQuarrie and Michael Feit Dougan. The film was shot in 18 days for US$250,000. It was screened at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival, where it was...
program Thee Mr. Duran Show
Thee Mr. Duran Show
Thee Mr. Duran Show is a variety television show. The show is hosted by Richard Duran, and currently films at the LVTV Channel 3 Studio on the campus of the University of La Verne in La Verne, California...
, where Wood and his band performed several of his hit singles.
Wood does not own the rights to any of his songs. They are all owned by the Los Angeles disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, Art Laboe
Art Laboe
Art Laboe is an American pioneering disc jockey, songwriter, record producer, and radio station owner who is generally credited with coining the term "Oldies But Goodies."....
.
Cover versions
"The Oogum Boogum Song" was covered by Alex ChiltonAlex Chilton
William Alexander "Alex" Chilton was an American songwriter, guitarist, singer and producer, best known as the lead singer of the Box Tops and Big Star...
. "Gimme Little Sign" was later covered by Danielle Brisebois
Danielle Brisebois
Danielle Anne Brisebois is an American actress, producer, songwriter and singer. In the 1990s she recorded two solo albums, Arrive All Over You and Portable Life, and was a member of the New Radicals...
, who had a hit with it in 1994. "Gimme Little Sign" was also recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
by Ricky Nelson
Ricky Nelson
Eric Hilliard Nelson , better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor...
.
Studio
- Gimme Little Sign (1967) - (LibertyLiberty RecordsLiberty Records was a United States-based record label. It was started by chairman Simon Waronker in 1955 with Al Bennett as president and Theodore Keep as chief engineer. It was reactivated in 2001 in the United Kingdom and had two previous revivals.-1950s:...
) - The Oogum Boogum Man (1967) - (Double Shot) - Billboard Hot 200 #184
- Baby You Got It (1967)
- Come Softly (1977) - (CreamCream RecordsCream Records is a record label started by Alvin Bennett in 1968, after he sold Liberty Records to Transamerica Corporation. In 1977, it acquired Hi Records from Willie Mitchell...
) - This Love Is for Real (2001)
- Lord Hear My Prayer (2009)
Compilation
- Brenton Wood's 18 Best (1991)
- 18 More of the Best, Vol. 2 (1999)
- Better Believe It (2000) - (Demon / WestsideWestside RecordsWestside Records was a record label subsidiary of Kingfisher. When Kingfisher acquired Demon Records, they merged the two record labels....
)
Singles
- "The Oogum Boogum Song" (1967) - U.S.United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
#34; US R&B #19 - "Gimme Little SignGimme Little Sign"Gimme Little Sign" is a classic soul music song by Brenton Wood. It was released in 1967 on the album The Oogum Boogum Song. It was written by Jerry Winn, Alfred Smith and Joseph Hooven...
" (1967) - US Billboard Hot 100 #9; US R&B #19; UK Singles ChartUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#8 - "Baby You Got It" (1967) - US Billboard Hot 100 #34; US R&B #30
- "Lovey Dovey Kinda Lovin'" (1968) - US Billboard Hot 100 #99
- "Come Softly To Me" (1977) - US R&B #92
Filmography
- Popdown - (1967) - (Brenton Wood appeared in the movieFilmA film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, alongside Julie DriscollJulie DriscollJulie Tippetts is an English singer and actress, known for her 1960s versions of Bob Dylan's "This Wheel's on Fire", and Donovan's "Season of the Witch", both with Brian Auger & The Trinity...
, Zoot MoneyZoot MoneyGeorge Bruno Money, known as Zoot Money is a British vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader best known for his playing of the Hammond organ and association with his Big Roll Band...
, Andy SummersAndy SummersAndy Summers is an English guitarist born in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. Best known as the guitarist for rock band The Police, he has also recorded twelve solo albums, collaborated with many other artists, toured extensively under his own name, published several books, and composed...
, Don PartridgeDon PartridgeDonald Eric Partridge was an English singer and songwriter, known as the "king of the buskers". He performed from the early 1960s as a busker and one-man band, and achieved unexpected commercial success in the UK in the late 1960s with the songs "Rosie" and "Blue Eyes".-Life and musical career:Don...
and Tony HicksTony HicksTony Hicks is a guitarist and singer who has been a member of the British pop group The Hollies since 1963.-Career:...
. - Almost FamousAlmost FamousAlmost Famous is a 2000 musical comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe and telling the fictional story of a teenage journalist writing for Rolling Stone magazine while covering the fictitious rock band Stillwater , and his efforts to get his first cover story published...
- (2000) - Wood's "Oogum Boogum Song" (written by Brenton Wood - billed as Alfred Smith) appeared on the soundtrack. - ColorsColors (film)Colors is a 1988 police procedural crime film starring Sean Penn and Robert Duvall and directed by Dennis Hopper. The story takes place in South Central Los Angeles, and is about Bob Hodges , an experienced LAPD Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums Police Officer III, and his rookie partner,...
- (1988) - "Oogum Boogum Song" appeared on the soundtrack in the background as gang members are parked under the bridge at 4th and Lorena Streets in Los Angeles. - Beverly Hills, 90210Beverly Hills, 90210Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
Episode 28 of Season 4 - "Gimme Little Sign" played in the background as the Beverly Hills High kids are at their favorite malt shop, the Peach Pitt. - Beverly Hills, 90210Beverly Hills, 90210Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
Episode 9 of Season 3 - "Oogum Boogum Song" was used in the background. - Lymelife - (2009) - "Oogum Boogum Song" appeared on the soundtrack in the bar at one character's going away party
- Eastbound and Down - (2010) - Season 2 Episode 5 (Chapter 11) of the HBO series, featured a segment on 4 wheel ATV's in which "Oogum Boogum Song" is played. Episode originally aired on October 24, 2010.
External links
- The Official Brenton Wood website
- [ Brenton Wood biography] at Allmusic websiteWebsiteA website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...