The Left Banke

1960s Baroque Pop Band

The Left Banke was an American baroque pop band formed in New York City in 1965. They are best known for their string-heavy, classically influenced "baroque pop" sound, which was quite innovative at the time. The group's most famous lineup consisted of Steve Martin Caro (vocals), Tom Finn (bass guitar), George Cameron (drums), Michael Brown (keyboards), and Jeff Winfield (guitar). They gained fame with their hit single "Walk Away Renée," written by Brown and band members, which was released on their debut album "Walk Away Renée/Pretty Ballerina" in 1967. The song became a chart success and is considered a classic of the 1960s. Their follow-up album, "The Left Banke Too," released in 1968, featured another hit, "Pretty Ballerina." However, internal tensions and disputes over musical direction led to the band's breakup shortly after the release of their second album. Despite their brief initial career span, The Left Banke's music has endured, influencing many artists in the baroque pop genre. They attempted a few reunions over the years with various lineups and released the album "Strangers on a Train" under the name 'Steve Martin's Left Banke' in 1986, although it did not achieve the success of their earlier work.