Born Elaine Bookbinder in Salford, Manchester on 25 February 1945, Elkie Brooks was born and raised in a Jewish family which encouraged and nurtured her inborn love of music. Her earliest singing lessons were received from her local Rabbi, as well as from Elkie's uncle Nat. It was her uncle's band the Chapters that Elkie first took centre stage. Her first and binding love was Jazz, with just a little Blues on the side, and her potential was encouraged by no less a personality than the

As the sixties waned, Elkie stuck at it, gaining experience as a session singer before joining Dada, whose ambitious style gave her a vehicle to express herself a little more.

In 1975 she made her debut album Rich Mans Woman which included the self penned single Where Do We Go From Here. Then came Two Days Away which included the track Pearls A Singer which when released as a single gave Elkie her very first top ten hit, after which another track from the same album Sunshire After The Rain also charted for her. In 1985 the album Pearls 2 was released which topped the half million barrier.

In 1989 she signed with Telstar records and produced Inspirations which included sixteen tracks mixing and matching all Elkie's dynamic vocal qualities with some terrific songs, some standards and some of Elkie's own songs. Her next album was Close To The Edge - Pearls 3 with Freestyle records to which Elkie contributed 80% of the tracks, self penned. In her quest for ultimate control over her output, she and her husband Trevor

February 1995 saw Elkie celebrate her 50th birthday when instead of slowing down, she was putting plans together for one of her most arduous UK tours she had ever taken. At the end of 1995 Elkie began yet another tour.

Amidst the constantly shifting world of entertainment, star qualities will always shine through. Elkie Brooks has those in abundance, together with the charisma to present them and the resilience that makes them count. That is why Elkie Brooks is so special to her fans, and why her live concerts are such a joy. Her timeless qualities leave us breathless in anticipation of just what she will come up with next, and impatient to share her brilliance.

Profile courtesy of Norman Phillips Organisation