Tom Smothers of The Smothers Brothers Dead at 86

Tom Smothers — one half of the well-known singing comedy workforce the “Smothers Brothers” — has died.

In an announcement launched Wednesday, Dick Smothers introduced his brother’s passing, saying Tom died at house because of most cancers.

Dick went on to say “Tom was not solely the loving older brother that everybody would need of their life, he was a one-of-a-kind artistic associate.”

Persevering with, Dick stated, “I’m endlessly grateful to have spent a lifetime along with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years.”

Dick ended with, “Our relationship was like a great marriage – the longer we had been collectively, the extra we liked and revered each other. We had been really blessed.”

Within the late ’50s, early Sixties, Tom and Dick typically appeared on TV selection exhibits and launched in style albums of their stage performances. In 1967, they lastly landed their very own selection present, “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” which immediately grew to become some of the hotly debated TV packages throughout the Vietnam Conflict interval.

The “Smothers Brothers” bought canceled many years earlier than cancellation grew to become a factor. Tommy grew to become tremendous political when the present was in its second season, railing with satire towards the Vietnam Conflict. The Bros had been particularly crucial of then-President Lyndon B. Johnson.

On one present Tommy seemed straight into the digital camera and stated, “Okay, all you guys in Vietnam, come on home.”

Throughout one episode, Harry Belafonte sang, “Don’t Stop the Carnival,” and the backdrop on stage had been pictures of the 1968 Democratic Conference in Chicago, the place then-Mayor Richard Daley ordered legislation enforcement to beat Vietnam protesters within the streets.

They took on different points as effectively, nevertheless it was too scorching for CBS. The community pulled the plug in 1969 on the finish of season 3. Folks within the anti-war motion, together with free speech advocates, had been outraged.

Tommy and Dick sued CBS for breach of contract they usually finally bought $775,000. The ‘SBCH’ got here again for a short-lived revival in 1988 however ended after one season

Suppose Dixie Chicks, however 40 years earlier.