Elkie Brooks

Elkie Brooks

Elkie Brooks is an English singer and songwriter, born Elaine Bookbinder in Broughton, Salford, England. She begins her professional singing career at the age of fifteen and releases her debut single, a cover of Etta James’s “Something’s Got a Hold On Me”, on Decca in 1964.

Early bands

Before her solo career, Brooks sings with Dada, a British 12-piece jazz-rock fusion group with a Stax influence. The band releases one self-titled album in 1970. In 1971, Brooks forms Vinegar Joe with guitarist Pete Gage, singer Robert Palmer and bassist Steve York, later joined by keyboard player Dave Thompson. The group has no regular drummer, with Conrad Isidore and Rob Tait both playing drums on the first album, released in 1972. Vinegar Joe releases three albums before splitting in 1974.

Solo career

After Vinegar Joe ends, Brooks begins a solo career. She spends time in the United States as a backing singer with the southern boogie band Wet Willie before returning to England. Her first solo album, Rich Man’s Woman, is released on A&M Records in 1975.