Ted Brooks:

Ted was born in 1950 in Fort Madison, Iowa. His love for music has been a lifelong affair, A passionate affair at that. Anyone who has seen Ted perform knows the instant he strikes his first note, his voice commands your attention! He is a legend in Southeast Iowa.

Ted started playing piano at age 9, but wasn’t feeling it; so he started playing guitar. He took lessons from Harry Rempe. After a while, he switched to bass. There, he found his calling. He is a self-taught bass player, plain by ear and soul! His first bass was a Sears Silvertone. When he heard “Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett, he knew he wanted to play music.

His first show was in 1965 at the Legion Hall in Dallas city Illinois. Being a young black performer wasn’t an easy gig in those days. The town had a sunset sign and he was worried for his safety. His band, “The Shadow” tore through their set and he’s never stopped rocking since. He was 15 years old at this time. 

Almost 7 decades in, nobody rocks like Ted. From opening for A Flock of Seagulls, to backing up Tom T. Hall, Smokehouse, Bluzillion and Blue De Gras, his bottom end is untouchable! Did I mention his voice? Holy smokes! Got more soul than anyone I know.

His biggest inspiration was Leonard Brooks, his uncle, who bought him his first guitar. His uncle wasn’t his only inspiration, his whole family was inspired by music and he was surrounded by it. His father was a preacher and sang all the time.  After his family his next inspirations would be Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Motown, all of which built the foundation of what his style is today. His current band Bluzillion is a funk monster, a blues beast and full of talent.

I hope this letter finds the right person and Ted Brooks is the right person for the Iowa rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame. He’s paid his dues and deserves the title. Ted lights up any room he walks into. He always has time to talk to anyone, and offers advice for any young players. I thank you for reading this and I hope your consider Ted for the 2022 class. 

Bands he has played in:

The Shadows 1965
Speck Funk 1966
Midd Sky Eye and Ear 1975
Teazer 1977
Smokehouse 1973-1974
Hot Buttered Toast 
The Full House Band 1981
Bleu De Gra late 80’s to early 1990’s
BTT 1991
Cranken 
Stryder
Bluzillion 2001-Present time
Mississippi Spice 
Ripping Incident 1968
Street Talk 
SSH Knxtion 2016-2019

Thank you,

Chris and Tara Vincent
Vinnie’s Longbranch