Tom Smothers of The Smothers Brothers Useless at 86

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

In a press release launched Wednesday, Dick Smothers introduced his brother’s passing, saying Tom died at residence on account 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 perpetually 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 very good marriage – the longer we have been collectively, the extra we beloved and revered each other. We have been really blessed.”

Within the late ’50s, early Sixties, Tom and Dick usually appeared on TV selection reveals and launched well-liked 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 applications in the course of the Vietnam Warfare interval.

The “Smothers Brothers” received 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 in opposition to the Vietnam Warfare. The Bros have been particularly essential of then-President Lyndon B. Johnson.

On one present Tommy regarded straight into the digicam 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 have been pictures of the 1968 Democratic Conference in Chicago, the place then-Mayor Richard Daley ordered regulation enforcement to beat Vietnam protesters within the streets.

They took on different points as nicely, however 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, have been outraged.

Tommy and Dick sued CBS for breach of contract they usually ultimately received $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.