The Hudson Brothers: They're Gonna Razzle Dazzle You

Born in Portland Oregon. Bill on Oct 17, 1949, Mark on August 23, 1951 and Brett January 18, 1953. The brothers grew up in the suburbs of Portland and were music lovers from an early age. In high school Bill and Brett played music together and their twosome became a trio in 1965 when Mark was bitten by the music bug after he saw the Beatles perform in Portland. He realized he wanted to be a part of the fun that music offered and a newly formed trio, the "My Sirs" band was born. The brothers were talented and this became obvious when they competed in and won a number of band contests in the late 60's. Their first big break came when they were asked by automotive company Chrysler to do a promotional tour for the company. As part of the deal, they were asked to change their name to a model of Chrysler car, so they chose to call themselves the "New Yorkers". In 1967, they released several songs on the Scepter Records label, "When I Am Gone", "Mr. Kirby" and "Show Me The Way To Love".

The band officially changed their name again, this time to the shortened "Hudson" when they signed with Lionel Records and released the single "Love Nobody" in 1971. They also recorded under this name on the Playboy Record label in 1972 when they released "Leave and It's Over" (which is mislabeled on the release as "Leavin' It's Over"). This song landed on the charts, but didn't crack the top 100 as it stayed at position #110.

In 1968 they they signed with Jerden Records and released "Adrianne" and "Land of Ur" in the spring of 1969. Later in 1969, they released a single from Warner Brothers Records, "Lonely". Finally, in 1969, they signed a deal with Decca Records, they changed their name to "Everyday Hudson" and released the singles called "Love is The Word" and "I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City" and that is where they moved too. But, nothing came of the record and Decca released them from their contract. They moved back to Portland in 1970 where they continued to play in and around the Portland area. When they had enough money, they decided to try their luck in California.

In 1973, they signed with Rocket Records and released a single called "If You Really Need Me", off of the "Totally Out of Control" album, which was recorded in France and produced by Bernie Taupin who produces a lot of Elton John's material. Another album titled "Ba-Fa" also produced by Taupin did give them the hit song, "Rendezvous" which was written by "Beach Boy" member Bruce Johnston.

Finally in 1974, they changed their name to the Hudson Brothers when they signed with Casablanca Records and released the album, "Hollywood Situation". Off the album came the single, "So You Are a Star" which peaked at #21 on the charts.

In 1976 they moved to Arista Records where they recorded and released the album, "The Truth About Us" 1976. In 1980, they changed their name back to "Hudson" and released on Electra Records, "Damn Those Kids" and then another move to Columbia Records in 1983, saw them change their name once more to "The Hudsons".

While the brothers were busy making music CBS offered them a chance to have their own show, called, appropriately enough, "The Hudson Brothers Show". It was to be a prime time variety hour show that was used as a summer replacement for the "Sonny and Cher Show". Starting in August of 1974, and lasting for a month, the boys sang, danced and did comedy. CBS liked what they saw and when the show ran it's course, offered the boys a chance to do it all over again, but this time on Saturday mornings. "The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show" was born, the humor, of course was geared more for kids, but it was still a fun show, showcasing not only their singing talents, but their comedic abilities as well. The show had a regular cast with Ted Zeigler, Billy Van, Peter Cullen, Murray Langeston (The Gong Show's Unknown Comic) and Freeman King. Rod Hull and the puppet Emu rounded out the cast. The show lasted for 17 episodes and has been released on DVD for those who want to see it again and for those who never saw it.

In 1978, the brothers did 24 episodes of a British made comedy sketch show called "Bonkers".

In 1978 they starred in a TV movies called "The Millionaire" which was an attempt to revive an old TV series by the same name.

In 1978, they starred with Darren McGavin in a film called "Zero To Sixty" about an man (McGavin) forced to become a repo man to make a living.

The brothers also did an episode of the Love Boat in 1980 called "Not So Fast, Gopher/Haven't We Met Before?/Foreign Exchange"

Officially disbanding in 1982, the brothers have all remained in the entertainment business. Brett works in television production. Bill has a production company and Mark is a respected producer, musician and song writer who has written songs for artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Hanson, Aerosmith---in fact he co-wrote "Living on the Edge" a hit for Aerosmith that garnered him a Grammy Nomination.

John Lennon called the brothers, "The kings of Saturday Morning". John was a good friend of the brothers.

Mark has toured with Ringo Starr's All Starr Band and has produced, written and sung on 3 of Ringo's CD---"Vertical Man", "Ringo Rama" and "Choose Love".

In 1986, Mark was the bandleader in Fox's TV show, "The Late Night with Joan Rivers".

Mark married Wendy Goteley in 1976 and they have one child, a daughter Sara who is also a singer. Mark and Wendy divorced in 1993.

The brothers sang back up on two of David Cassidy's albums, "Home is Where The Heart Is" and "The Higher They Climb".

The Hudson Brothers toured with the Osmonds in the mid 1970's.

Bill married Cindy Williams (of Laverne and Shirley fame) in May of 1982 and the couple divorced December 13, 2000.

Bill was married to Goldie Hawn from 1976 to 1980. He is the father of Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson two successful actors.

The brothers performed one song on each episode of the Razzle Dazzle Show... they are as follows:

Travelin Band
Born to Wander
Fine and Dandy
Gimme Some Loving
Keep the Customer Satisfied
So You Are a Star
Cry Cry Cry
Hollywood Situation
Show Me
Honky Tonk Woman
You Can See The Day
Doin The Best I Can
Free Ride
Coochie Coochie Coo
Great Balls of Fire
Three of Us
Yesterday