Lee Brilleaux | |
|---|---|
 Brilleaux with Dr. Feelgood in 1992 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lee John Collinson |
| Born | 10 May 1952 Durban, South Africa |
| Died | 7 April 1994 (aged 41) Canvey Island, Essex, England |
| Genres | Rock, pub rock, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, harmonica |
| Years active | 1970–1994 |
| Labels | Stiff Records |
Lee Brilleaux (born Lee John Collinson; 10 May 1952 – 7 April 1994)[1] was an English rhythm-and-blues singer and musician with the band Dr. Feelgood.
Lee John Collinson was born in Durban, South Africa, to English parents,[2] was brought up in Ealing, and moved to Canvey Island with his family when he was 13.[3] When he formed Dr. Feelgood in 1971, he gave up his job as a solicitor clerk.[4] He got his stage name after his sweaty ruffled hair after a performance was compared to a Brillo Pad, but made the word sound more French like to add more "mystery".[4] In 1976, Brilleaux helped found Stiff Records, one of the driving forces of the "New Wave" of the mid- to late-1970s, with a loan of £500.[3] His last performance was in January 1994, at the Dr. Feelgood Music Bar in Canvey Island.[3]
Brilleaux met his wife, Shirley, in the 1970s, and were married until Lee's death.[5] They had two children.[5] Brilleaux died on 7 April 1994 of lymphoma, a month before his 42nd birthday, in his home in Canvey Island.[3]
- ^ Roberts, David (1998). Guinness Rockopedia (1st ed.). London: Guinness Publishing Ltd. p. 128. ISBN 0-85112-072-5.
- ^ "Joan's Feelgood memories of her son Lee". Echo. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2013
- ^ a b c d Staig, Laurence. "Obituary: Lee Brilleaux". The Independent. 9 April 1994. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
- ^ a b Burrows, Tim (1 December 2015). "Cult heroes: Lee Brilleaux, the bluesman who helped kickstart punk rock". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Lee Brilleaux 10 May 1952 – 7 April 1994 | Will Birch - Writer. Lyricist". Retrieved 2 January 2025.