Andrew Brel
| Andrew Brel | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Andreas Broulidakis |
| Born |
28 September 1960 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | New-age, meditation, wellness |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, Music producer, Author |
| Instruments | Guitar, Bouzouki |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Website | www |
Andrew Brel (born Andreas Broulidakis, 28 September 1960) is a UK author whose work includes 'The Emergency Bouzouki Player' and 'One Day in Paris' and a Music Producer.
Brel was born to Greek parents in the South African suburb of Bryanston, one of Johannesburg's affluent whites-only areas in 1960. He is a native Greek speaker, educated at Bryanston Primary, Bryanston High and Damelin College before completing first year at the University of the Witwatersrand medical school. In 1979, aged 18 he was forcibly conscripted into the South African Army for two years during the height of the Border War. Brel toured the Border war zone as a guitarist in the Entertainment Corps show band, performing with many of South Africa's biggest musical stars of the era on morale boosting concerts for the troops.
In this guise he met and entertained several of South Africa's significant Apartheid leaders, including Minister of Defence, Magnus Malan and Minister of Police Jimmy Kruger. In 1980 as a 19 year old troop in military uniform he narrowly escaped incarceration after publicly directing the words "Your bum stinks" towards South Africa's Leader P. W. Botha during a Dinner/Dance function for the Argentine Prime Minister.
After national service Andrew completed three years of Computer Science whilst performing as a solo musician at many of South Africa's most prestigious musical venues becoming one of the busiest and highest paid performers in South Africa. Acting on the advice of a booking agent he adopted a shortened version of his name appearing professionally as Andy Brel for the first time in 1981. During this time he averaged over 300 paid appearances each year whilst still a full-time student, being reviewed on numerous occasions by The Star, then the most widely circulated news publication in South Africa.
In 1985 Andrew left Apartheid South Africa and emigrated to England working initially as a solo entertainer in London's musical circuit. He enjoyed a 3 year Saturday night sold out stint at Bo-Jangles, in Kingston-Upon-Thames, which at that time was the in-place for musicians, leading to many musical introductions and album recording opportunities and the start of a new life in the UK. From 1986 until 1991 he owned Hampton Court Studios, where he worked as a music writer and producer developing new talent, including the original demos of the Dogs D'Amour whilst continuing public performances as a guitarist/singer, often with other musicians including Duncan Mackay (10cc), John Edwards (Status Quo) and Ronnie Johnson (Van Morrison).
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