Twinn Connexion
Identical twin brothers who blended pop harmonies with late-1960s soft rock.
Twinn Connexion was a singing duo of identical twin brothers Jerry and Jay Hopkins, signed to Decca Records. They released a self-titled album in 1968 featuring pop harmonies influenced by late-1960s soft rock and folk rock. Their songs have appeared on multiple sunshine pop compilations, and a digitally remastered expanded edition of their album was reissued in 2010.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Helena, Montana, U.S.
- Genre
- Sunshine pop
- soft rock
- bubblegum pop
- Years active
- 1968–1969
- Label
- Decca
- Now Sounds
- Big Pink
- Past members
- Jerry Hopkins; Jay Hopkins
Facts from the source article.
Biography
Jerry and Jay Hopkins, identical twins, came into the world on January 15, 1941, in Helena, Montana. Their musical partnership started in elementary school, and they later acted in productions at the Old Brewery Theatre, a local summer stock venue. A national Imperial Margarine commercial saw them reprise their roles from the play The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker. In high school, the brothers hosted their own half-hour weekly TV program, "Teen Time Varieties". After time at the University of Montana, they relocated to New York City in January 1963. There, they performed in Off-Broadway shows, handled costume and set design, and kept day jobs. Regular singing spots at Greenwich Village coffeehouses and clubs caught the ear of Decca Records executive Bill Downer. Signing with Decca, Twinn Connexion started recording an album with producer Jerry Keller, his frequent partner Dave Blume, and session players from the Carolyn Hester Coalition. Their debut single, "Sixth Avenue Stroll", came out in July 1968. Record World described it as a "bright song" and predicted the duo "should make a connexion with kids". The self-titled debut album followed in October, its cover featuring the brothers side by side in matching yellow and white Nehru suits, green ascots, and pins marked "2x". In the July 20, 1968, Billboard, "Oh What Lovely Day" earned a "Special Merit Spotlight" mention; the critic felt its cheerful beat and the duo's sound "could easily hit with much play and sales impact." Their last Decca single, "I Think I Know Him", arrived late in 1968. Cash Box praised its instrumentation and vocal delivery. The B-side was a cover of The Cyrkle's "Turn-Down Day", a 1966 single also penned by Keller and Blume.
Twinn Connexion (1968)
The album was released by Decca Records on October 4, 1968, with songs by Jerry Keller and David Blume. Its musical style featured pop harmonies influenced by the soft rock and folk rock popular in the late 1960s. Interest in the duo revived when their sound was recognized as belonging to the sunshine pop subgenre. Their songs appeared on several sunshine pop compilations, and rare copies of the original album fetched high prices on the collectors' market. A digitally remastered and expanded edition was reissued by Now Sounds on May 18, 2010. The remastered CD includes eight bonus tracks and a 24-page booklet with liner notes by Sheryl Farber and commentary from surviving member Jerry Hopkins. The original album tracks are: "Sixth Avenue Stroll", "I Think I'll Just Go and Find Me a Flower", "I Think I Know Him", "Dilemma", "Turn Down Day", "The Music Turns Me On", "Foolin' Around", "Wind Me Up and I Dance", "Summer Sadness", "Young and Free", and "Oh What a Lovely Day". Bonus tracks include "The Silent Parade", "Think I Will", "Mary", "Reach Out to Meet Myself", and mono single versions of "Turn Down Day", "I Think I Know Him", "Oh What a Lovely Day", and "Sixth Avenue Stroll".
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Twinn Connexion active?
Twinn Connexion was active from 1968 to 1969.
Which record labels has Twinn Connexion released music on?
Twinn Connexion has released music on Decca, Now Sounds and Big Pink.
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