Brett Smiley

Brett Smiley (born September 25, 1955 – died January 8, 2016) was an American singer associated with the 1970s glam-rock scene. He recorded the single "Va Va Va Voom" (b/w "Space Ace") and an album produced by Andrew Loog Oldham that was shelved and later issued as Breathlessly Brett.

Born September 25, 1955. Met producer Andrew Loog Oldham in the early 1970s. Released the single "Va Va Va Voom" b/w "Space Ace" (1974). A master album recorded in the 1970s was shelved by Anchor and later acquired and issued by RPM/Cherry Red as Breathlessly Brett. Nina Antonia wrote The Prettiest Star (2005), a book that renewed interest in Smiley. Died January 8, 2016.

A sympathetic, ironic take on Brett Smiley’s brief 1970s push: a Bowie/bolan-influenced single and a shelved album that later resurfaced. The review traces early promise, commercial failure, and later posthumous interest. The consensus is that Breathlessly Brett is historically intriguing if imperfect.

For:Fans of 1970s glam rock, collectors of lost albums, readers of DeBaser