The Light Brigade were the three Cole brothers and their friends from Little Rock, Arkansas. They released their first 45 on the My label in 1967, which included James Williams on lead guitar.
“Baby You Don’t Care” rides a great fuzz tone while “Won’t You Tell Me” is much gentler. Both these songs were written by Dean Cole and bassist Lonnie Cole. Ray Cole was the other brother in the group.
“Lonnie’s Song” is from 1969, released on the E&M label.
The Light Brigade stopped playing touring around 1971 but continued to play locally.
Thank you to Angela for correcting the name of her father – James Williams, not Williamson as I had read from a comment.
Anyone have photos of the group, especially from the early years?
Later members include John Redam. More info on the band and names of other musicians who played with the Light Brigade would be appreciated.
I’d really dig pix of The Light Brigade in 1967 and 1971 especially if it’s the same boss lineup.
I joined and toured with The Light Brigade as guitarist/vocalist immediately after graduating from Jacksonville High School in June of 1971. I played with Lonnie, Ray, and Dean Cole for about a year, left and went to my own concert band, Joppa Street Band, then returned to The Light Brigade for a short while in late ’72 to early ’73 when I left again and then joined the concert band “Happy Jack”.
The Light Brigade was together for many years, I believe beginning in around 1966 and finally disbanded around 1973. I first saw and heard them at the LRAFB Youth Center in 1968. Fun times, many road gigs, and three brothers who were as different as night is from day.
Who where the other members of the band (Light Brigade)? Was one a Charles Miller? Thank you.
I had the good fortune of meeting Lonnie Cole in the summer of 1994. My friend and I were on a road trip by car in quest of records in the southern US, and I had contacted Lonnie to arrange an in-person meeting. We followed Lonnie to the outskirts of Little Rock, to his home, where something like sixty people were waiting to meet this guy (me) from the East Coast who knew all about the Light Brigade 45s! The entire Cole clan – relatives, friends, you name it were all gathered ’round for a big feast! to date, the best homemade burgers I’ve ever had! And afterward, the three Cole brothers played a few tunes in the living room for us.
As for the original members, their school pal, James Williamson, played lead guitar – he’s on the mid ’67 My label 45. I can’t remember if James played on the E&M 45 in ’69.
Checked with James Williamson (from Iggy & The Stooges) who has no knowledge of this band or 45. There’s obviously more than one James Wiliiamson out there, but on this record it’s not THE James Williamson.
It’s obviously not the same James Williamson – this band is from Arkansas, not Michigan. But the guitar in this song is nothing to shrug at:
His name is actually James WILLIAMS not Williamson. (I’m one of the daughters of Dean Cole.)
I never implied that the James Williamson mentioned as a member of the Light Brigade had anything to do with the Stooges guitarist. People (especially younger folks) get all hung up in idol worship – which brings me to my second point: Why should he (Stooges guitarist) be referred to as Thee James Williamson? He is no better /more important than any other person sharing the same name. Only in someone’s mind, maybe.
First of all, lets get the name right. The man’s name is James Williams not Williamson. He is my father. My name is Angela.
I am the eldest daughter of Dean Cole. They might have quit touring in ’71 but they continued to play in & around the Little Rock area for YEARS off and on after that. I remember loving to listen to them practice at my home. They are the reason for my love of classic rock. For those of you who don’t know, Dean passed away last year (September 2015). I miss that man dearly.
Lonnie Cole is my Grandfather