Brian Cole

Brian Leslie Cole (September 8, 1942 – August 2, 1972) was an American musician. He was the bass guitarist, bass vocalist and one of the founding members of the 1960s folk rock band the Association. Early life Brian Leslie Cole was born in Tacoma, Washington to Perry Anthony Cole and Violet Elanor Cole. By the early 1960s, he and his family were living in Portland, Oregon and was a father of two. Cole attended Portland State University, before dropping out a year later. Prior to working as a musician, he had moved to Los Angeles, and was working as a lumberjack, before he began work as an actor and comedian. The Association In 1966, Cole co-founded the folk rock band The Association, a band that had previously been a thirteen-piece ensemble called The Men. The Association signed to Valiant Records in 1966, and released their debut album And Then... Along Comes the Association, shortly after. The Association are best known for their songs “Cherish”, “Along Comes Mary”, “Windy” and “Never My Love”. The Association were an opening act at the Monterey Pop Festival. The group were known for their harmonies. Brian sang bass vocals in their songs.