Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band

Subject: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 08:39 AM

Hi, i saw them when i was in San Francisco in 2001 and bought a cd. I love the amazing voce of the singer (Juliette). I would like to have more of them but now i found some newspaper articles about Bruce (guitar) killed Juliette. Unbeliveable - what went wrong, I'm so sad. Does anybody know where i can find more music of them or can buy cds? redtop2000.com seems to be dead. Thanks for your help!

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 12:40 AM

Hello -

Did you ever find their other two CDs? I used to hear them all the time and what a tragedy. I've got one of their CDs. If it isn't the one you have I suppose I could burn you a copy and send it to you. Which is the one that you have?

- Steve
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 01:10 AM

For starters, here is a story on them and the death of Juliette.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 01:52 AM

Jesus!

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,Sister of Juliette
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 11:25 AM

Hello All! Just wanted to say that I am finally relieved that the trial is over. Bruce got 15 to life for hitting my sis in the head 14 times with a hammer. News article on cbn5. Unfortunately, the sad part is that we have no closure because they must keep her head for evidence for a total 15 of the 7 years this has been going on so we still have no closure. I listen to her cd's everyday. We are grateful that we still have her voice to listen to. We are in the process of organizing a fund raiser for Domestic Violence in SF.

Please feel free to contact me if you like: [e-mail]
Sincerely,
Gwendolyn

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: Bobert
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 07:55 PM

First of, even though I also play blues, this is the first I've ever heard of these people...

Secondly, and more importantly, I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your sister, Gwendolyn...

Very tragic story...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 10 Mar 09 - 03:49 PM

The article is on cbs5.com.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,Gwendolyn
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 11:53 AM

The family needs to clear up the fact that Juliette was not homeless and no turbulent history of drug and alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, at the time Bruce was abusing drugs and alcohol. Juliette loved her music and they did have a bus utilized for transportation to pursue their music. We just want to make those points clear. Thank everyone for your prayers and condolences. If you know any women or men being domestically violated, tell them to be strong and leave. Please feel free to contact us [e-mail] or (gwen) or (opal) [e-mail]. THINK GOOD THOUGHTS!

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,Deborah James
Date: 02 May 09 - 09:25 PM

I was Juliette's teacher and friend. This was a tragic and horrible thing to have happened to such a beautiful person. Finally, the trial was held (6 years later) and Bruce was sentenced. I am planning to write a short novel about Juliette's life.

I met both her sisters and knew some other people who were involved in her life. This book will be my belated gift to her legacy.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,jaden brooks
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 04:54 PM

dear who
   
brucebrooks is my father juliet was my step mom i lived with them played drums with them and i love them both! and you people are full of          SHIT!!! fuck you

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,AB in Boston
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 05:53 PM

Just came across this thread while searchin the web to see if I could find more of their music. Bought a CD from them on the streets of SF. Very sad to read this....

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,Jackie
Date: 12 May 10 - 06:09 PM

I have a tape that They gave me and I bought a CD a couple years later. I saw them in Chicago on State street many many times and loved their music and loved talking with them.
I was just listening to thier musc and decided to look them up online because I hadn't seen them in a while. I knew they spent winters in San Francisco. This news hurts me terribly. So sorry to Juliettes family and Bruce's as well. Tragic loss.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 07:22 PM

I was walking in the Embarcadero in San Francisco when I came upon them singing the blues and I absolutely LOVED them! Juliette's voice was incredible. I bought their CD which I played all the time until I misplaced it. In trying to get another copy I ran across this sad, horrible news. My heart goes out to the family. This is truly a terrible loss.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,John
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 05:24 PM

One afternoon sometime in 2000 to 2002 I was sitting in my cubicle on the seventh floor of an office building in San Francisco's Financial District when I heard the blues wafting up from the street. When I got off work, I found Juliette and Bruce performing on Market Street. Blues being my favorite musical genre, I listened, among many others, and bought their "Volume 2" CD. Juliette had an amazing, rough voice well suited to the blues.

Years ago, wondering whatever happened to them and if they had put out any more albums, I ran across the SFGate article about Juliette's murder. What a shocking and sad story, and a tragedy all around.

I wish her, her family, and Bruce peace.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,Robert Briesch
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 04:26 AM

Juliette and Bruce were probably the best buskers to ever play any style, anywhere. They could play blues that sounded like a 4 pc band,setting up in minutes, they must have powered the amps with a car battery. Juliettes voice drew the masses, and she had showmanship and class. They would often set up for lunch break at 2nd and Market in SF when I worked there from 96-01. A crowd of over 100 people would gather, others tipped a dollar or 5 as they passed. The police would show within about 1/2 an hour and people would boo the police, Juliette would say "its ok, it's ok, they are just doing their job. The police seemed to be civil toward them in return, and I have seen well over $100. in their case made in minutes. RIP Juliette.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,carlos guitarlos
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 09:21 PM

i played with bruce and juliette for many years.what a sound they had...blues ,real blues..i think the best time i heard them was at the ivy room,albany ca.,owned then by dot mac beath and later her son bill. randy aka 19th street red, joined them for the night and played his tele,what a night for the blues. bruce commited manslaughter NOT murder.i was with them months at a time,they were both simple folks who could QUICKLY step into a hell all of their own making.

            CARLOS GUITARLOS
          LOS ANGELES,CA OCT 5,2011

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Oct 11 - 03:54 PM

I read the 2005 article in SF Gate linked above.

Man, what a pile of shallow, callow, self-absorbed show biz cant. Somehow the reporter has lost sight of the fact that something brutal, shocking and painful has occurred.

I sympathize with Jaden Brooks (posted in 2009). The crime is terrible enough without journalists using it to strike poses.

I have a plan, however. All these writers who have spent their lives in front of computers should get on a bicycle and start riding really fast. Then they should hit a big bump and be thrown to the ground. (Not an unusual thing when I was a kid.)

When they feel the pain and the shock of that, the will be experiencing maybe 2% of the pain and shock of a murder or a beating. Two percent isn't much, but it will probably be enough to prevent cutesy articles like that from being written.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,bflat peter a.
Date: 07 Oct 11 - 03:36 AM

Ich spiele selber saxophon in einer bluesband und war auf der suche nach einer interpretation vom bobbie gentry song "ODE TO BillIE JOE".
Dies ist die beste version die ich (ausgenommen die originalversion) je gehoert habe. Ich denke ich werde sie benutzen um eine coverversion fuer unsere band zu schreiben. Leider kommt unsere Saengerin nicht an die gesanglichen Qualitaeten von juliette heran, die 90% des songs ausmachen. Habe ihn inzwischen mindessten 100 mal gehoert.

Danke Chicago brother & sisters bluesband!!

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 07 Oct 11 - 11:12 AM

Peter wrote:

I myself play saxophone in a bluesband and was searching for an interpretation of the Bobbie Gentry song "Ode to Billie Joe." This is the best version (except for the original) I've heard so far. I think I'll use it to write a version for our band.

Unfortunately our female singer doesn't have the vocal qualities of Juliette, who is 90% of the song. I've listened to it at least 100 times.

Thanks...

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,Brian N. formerly of SF, CA
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 01:23 AM

I loved watching them play since I first heard them on Market Street in San Francisco in 1997. She had such a beautiful voice! My heart goes out to the families involved. Shes singing with the angels now. I miss you. :'(((

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,Mark m
Date: 04 Oct 12 - 10:19 PM

Wow. I have a now broken cassette tape I bought from them on Market street when I lived in the city in 99. I did not read the article because it won't describe the sense of loss I feel or why.

RIP Juliette. I miss your voice even more now.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,SV
Date: 01 Feb 14 - 04:58 PM

What an awful tragedy. I remember them well at Market and Powell in San Francisco. Juliette'voice was amazing. We'd rush to see them on Friday nights after work, wondering why they were never signed by a major record label. They were the best in the business. I still have their worn out cassette recording someplace. The quality of it was never good. Sadly, it's barely audible now.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,GeneralESmokin
Date: 05 Apr 18 - 10:23 PM

I was homeless and then started living in downtown SF and I remember when I 1st saw them. as I walked towards 4th and market all I could hear was Juliette riffing WELLLLL BAAAAABY! from 6th Street (on market st. that is some distance. U could hear music bouncing off the buildings like a 7 piece band. I get there and find them two just jamming away. I saw them almost daily. Wow was it always a treat especially when Flames and other musicians joined the session. Juliette you could tell loved to sing and play.... LOUD! she didn't need money an audience or anything like that. She just needed to sing. I always loved how she would look at me (I was always standing in front) and then riff WELLLLL BAAAAABY! amazing. If anybody has her music please contact me. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Apr 18 - 12:14 AM

Nice story, Michael!

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 19 - 08:58 PM

Here it is - Summer, 2019 adn I am still missing the Chicago Brother and Sister Blues Band, searching for any more of their music, and of course feeling sad. I have one CD that I bought from them. I will burn a copy for you if you contact me. If anyone else has the other CDs please let's trade Mark [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,Mark Owens
Date: 03 Feb 21 - 07:28 PM

Would love to have any copy of any of the 3 CDs recorded by this duo!! Will pay for your efforts to 'burn' a copy or if you have an original copy to sell. Mark Owens [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,bluesmanredtop
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 12:11 PM

i am wondering what has become of bruce brooks. evidently he is not in the california prison system anymore.............

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,#
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 01:38 PM

To GUEST,bluesmanredtop 06 Aug 21 - 12:11 PM

If he's still alive, he'd be 75 or 76 now. I cannot find anything online other than a few sites that mention his trial and subsequent incarceration, etc.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: keberoxu
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 04:45 PM

Is this the man you are looking for?

Obituary for Bruce Barton Brooks, deceased November 15, 2017


The most notorious event in his lifetime
is conspicuous by its absence from the obituary.
This may suggest that the man who died is a different person.

However:
died in California
the name of his surviving son is identical
"He was an exceptional guitarist"

He was an Illinois native (met Juliette Williamson there, yes?);
and the man in the obituary,
had his remains brought back to Illinois for interment.
The obituary is surviving-family-oriented.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,#
Date: 06 Aug 21 - 05:28 PM

Nice one, keberoxu.

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Aug 21 - 03:47 PM

'The blues is a hard dark life
full of pain an' lonely strife'

by Crusty Lip Rivers

I 'work' up till mornin
then I collapse in my bed
I 'work' up till mornin
then I collapse in my bed
Yes I work up till mornin
Sunrise is sunset instead

I gum my mornin sausage
without a tooth in my head
I gum my mornin sausage
without a tooth in my head
squeeze out another blockage
but I still feel half past dead

This buildin ain't no castle
cept the walls are fallin down
This buildin ain't no castle
cept the walls are fallin down
the landlord is an ass hole
When it rains I nearly drown

I barely see the sun at all
The moon is my only friend
I barely see the sun at all
The moon's my only friend
Through all these dark days I crawl
To my rest that is my end

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: GUEST,TieDyeEric
Date: 13 Sep 23 - 02:47 PM

I have sent emails to both folks who posted their addresses looking for recordings.

I have two, a tape I bought from Juliette and Bruce sometime around 1991. And the Volume 2 CD. I am willing to send links to anyone who wants them. Email me at ericcoleman at gmail.com

Subject: RE: Chicago Brother And Sister Blues Band
From: NightWing
Date: 13 Sep 23 - 04:48 PM

TieDyeEric: Got them.

Wow! They do sound good! Down and dirty!

Sad what happened and sad I've never heard of them until now. But at least good that I'm getting to hear them now.

BB,
NightWing