Tom Smothers — one half of the well-known singing comedy workforce the “Smothers Brothers” — has died.
In an announcement launched Wednesday, Dick Smothers introduced his brother’s passing, saying Tom died at dwelling because of this of most cancers.
Dick went on to say “Tom was not solely the loving older brother that everybody would need of their life, he was a one-of-a-kind artistic associate.”
Continuing, Dick stated, “I’m perpetually grateful to have spent a lifetime along with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years.”
Dick ended with, “Our relationship was like an excellent marriage – the longer we had been collectively, the extra we beloved and revered each other. We had been actually blessed.”
In the late ’50s, early Sixties, Tom and Dick typically appeared on TV selection reveals and launched in style albums of their stage performances. In 1967, they lastly landed their very own selection present, “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” which immediately grew to become one of essentially the most hotly debated TV applications in the course of the Vietnam War interval.
The “Smothers Brothers” received canceled a long time earlier than cancellation grew to become a factor. Tommy grew to become tremendous political when the present was in its second season, railing with satire towards the Vietnam War. The Bros had been particularly important of then-President Lyndon B. Johnson.
On one present Tommy appeared straight into the digicam and stated, “Okay, all you guys in Vietnam, come on home.”
During one episode, Harry Belafonte sang, “Don’t Stop the Carnival,” and the backdrop on stage had been photos of the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, the place then-Mayor (*86*) Daley ordered regulation enforcement to beat Vietnam protesters within the streets.
They took on different points as properly, however it was too scorching for CBS. The community pulled the plug in 1969 at the tip of season 3. People within the anti-war motion, together with free speech advocates, had been outraged.
Tommy and Dick sued CBS for breach of contract they usually ultimately received $775,000. The ‘SBCH’ got here again for a short-lived revival in 1988 however ended after one season
Think Dixie Chicks, however 40 years earlier.
Tommy was 86. RIP.
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