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The Chambers Brothers

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Musicians

The Resume

    Formed in Mississippi in 1954
    1968 line-up:
    Joe Chambers - vocals , guitar, keyboards, percussions
    Willie Chambers - vocals, guitar, percussions
    Lester Chambers - vocals, harmonica, percussions
    George Chambers - vocals, bass
    Brian Keenan - drums
    Recorded 'Time Has Come Today'
    'Time Has Come Today' used in the movies 'Coming Home (1978),' 'Casualties of War (1989),' 'The Doors (1991),' 'Crooklyn (1994) ,' 'Girl, Interrupted (1999) ,' 'Remember the Titans (2000) ,' 'Edison Force (2005),' ' Zodiac (2006)' and 'Talk to Me (2007)'
    Cover versions of the song recorded by The Ramones, Joan Jett, Bo Bice, Steve Earle and The Lords of Altamont
    TV shows using the song include 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,' 'My Name is Earl,' 'Supernatural' and the 2004 Stephen King produced mini-series 'Kingdom Hospital'

Why they might be annoying:

    They are a one hit wonder.
    They were mired in obscurity for 14 years.
    A few major record labels said they would sign them if they wore matching outfits, lost their instruments and became just a vocal group, which they steadfastly refused.
    Keenan was incorporated into the band in 1965, though the brothers were more than able to handle drum duties, and was introduced at concerts as Brian Chambers Keenan.
    They disbanded in 1972, then reunited in 1974 to sporadically play oldies circuit concerts.
    Yet another one hit wonder group that felt the need to release a 'best of' album.
    They made commercials for Levi's jeans.

Why they might not be annoying:

    They grew up in poverty as part of a sharecropping family.
    They were able to change with the times, going from gospel to folk, to r&b to psychedelic rock.
    Known as a powerhouse live drummer, the brothers welcomed Keenan into their fold and nicknamed him Curley.
    Pete Seeger helped secure them a spot at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
    'Time Has Come Today' peaked at #11 on Billboard's Singles chart in the fall of 1968 and remained there for three weeks.
    The full 11 minute album version of the song was a smash on FM radio stations, featuring psychedelic sounds and screams.
    The song proved popular with soldiers fighting the Vietnam War and with anti-war protesters.
    The cowbells used for the 'tick tock' strain throughout the song are one of the best uses of cowbells ever recorded in a rock piece.
    They have become top notch session musicians and were featured on Maria Muldaur's 1980 album 'Gospel Nights.'
    On October 5th, 1985, Keenan suffered a fatal heart attack at age 42.

Credit: Scar Tactics


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 112 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 457 Votes: 65.21% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 85 Votes: 50.59% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 74 Votes: 55.41% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 65 Votes: 67.69% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 130 Votes: 79.23% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 15 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 15 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 23 Votes: 26.09% Annoying