Ironically enough for an act built around the tensions of sibling rivalry, the Smothers
Brothers were the longest-lived comedy team in history: originally a folk duo, the
brothers tempered their childlike, irreverent musical humor with enough sly satire and
subtle political commentary to earn both an ardent following from the counterculture and
considerable backlash from more conservative quarters.
Tom born in 1937 and Dick born in 1939, first teamed together
Professionally while attending San Jose State University. After a tenure in a folk group
dubbed the Casual Quintet, the Smothers Brothers broke off as a duo in 1959. While their
act initially consisted of straightforward folk tunes, audiences responded even more
favorably to their between-song banter and gradually all of the brothers' material
reflected their offbeat comic sensibility, a perennially wide-eyed worldview steeped in
playful sibling rivalry primarily directed at Tom's supposed dull wit.
By the time of their 1961 live debut at the Purple Onion, the Smothers
Brothers' act still skewed towards straight songs, and the comedic content of their
performance resided primarily in the introductions to the musical performances. As
indicated by its title, 1962's Top 40 hit "The Two Sides of the Smothers
Brothers" reflected the dichotomy even more clearly. While one half of the record was
devoted to serious, if lightweight, songs like "If It Fits Your Fancy" and
"Stella's Got A New Dress," the remainder focused on comic numbers like
"Cabbage" and "Chocolate," the latter penned by frequent accomplice
Pat Paulson.
With 1963's "Think Ethnic," their transformation into pure
comedy was complete. All of the songs were performed with tongues planted firmly in cheek,
punctuated by breezy banter and light-hearted bickering. "Curb Your Tongue,
Knave" followed later in the year and was the duo's biggest hit, falling just short
of the Top Ten, while 1964's "It Must Have Been Something I Said" reflected
their continued growth as performers capable of everything from love song send-ups to
cracked history lessons.
Tom and Dick Smothers have been entertaining audiences all over the
world for over 40 years. The contributions Tom and Dick Smothers have made to the world of
entertainment throughout their career are so highly respected that the Museum of
Broadcasting in New York produced a retrospective and seminar on their work, an honor not
lightly accorded. Hollywood also honored them with a star on the noted Hollywood Walk of
Fame.
They have been considered ahead of their time, masters of timing and
practitioners of timeless comedy. Now as they mark over 40 years in show business, The
Smothers Brothers have become legends, surpassing all other comedy teams in history.
There is not much left to be said about a career as celebrated and
public as that of this talented twosome. For their abundant tributes, the Smothers
Brothers are one of the most successful comedic teams in the history of entertainment.
They have become an American Classic.
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