THE CALL OF THE MUSIC By Melissa Walsh Photos Yanni
Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and life to everything. It is the essence of order, and leads to all that is good, just and beautiful, of which it is the invisible, but nevertheless dazzling, passionate, and eternal form (Plato).
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hen it comes to male singers, a husky voice with sultry looks is a great combination. The peninsula’s own Nigel Brooker has an undeniable charisma and talent that has allowed him to work as an entertainer for three decades, and there is no sign this crooner will stop any time soon. But for this performer, there is so much more to the music than just good looks and being able to hold a tune. With a slight English accent that is still noticeable, Camden- born Nigel was one of the last 10 pound poms to come out to Australia. “I was born in Camden Town in North London and came to Australia when I was eight years old,” says the 52 year old. “It was 1972 and we moved to Coburg as mum had family there. We were the last of the ten pound poms, coming out on the ship with my mother, brother and sister as dad was already here.” Nigel was a singer first and foremost, and would sing around the house constantly from the time he was a small child. “I was obsessed with singing and learning a whole song from start to finish in my head. I would just practice in my room as if I was on stage so I could sing it from start to finish,” he says with a laugh. “Mum was a brilliant singer and would make up songs all the time. She has a photo of herself with musicians that look like Buddy Holly and it was always a big part of her life. When I was young she would say 'Give me a word and I will find a song with that word in it', and she would start singing ‘do the dishes’ while we did the dishes. My brother, two cousins and I are all musicians which we get from mum’s side.” With the sweet sounds of Roberta Flack, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Rod Stewart, and Motown filling the house, it was a natural progression for young Nigel to be consumed with a passion for music. When the family moved to the peninsula in 1976, the 12 year old turned his hand to the guitar which he was given as a Christmas present the year before. continued next page...
May 2017
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PENINSULA