Severin Browne was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1949 to a musical family. His 3-year old sister immediately took him next door saying that she alreadyhad a brother. Severin's father, Clyde Jack Browne, was actually a native Californian who was in Germany with the U.S. Army newspaper, The Stars And Stripes. He had met Severin's mother, Beatrice Dahl, while stationed in Alaska and she had followed him to Germany when he was transferred there. Shortly after Severin was born, the Browne family returned to California and moved into a home that was built by Severin's grandfather in the 1920s. The Spanish style home is located in an old part of Los Angeles and is where Severin spent much of his childhood.

Severin comes from a very musical family. Severin has referred to his father -- a talented jazz musician -- as "The world's greatestunpublished songwriter." Thus, Severin started playing piano and guitar at a very young age. His brother, Jackson, is also a talented singer/songwriter who has recorded many albums for the Asylum/Elektra labels. At the young age of just 21, Severin took out a contract with Motown Records. In 1970, Severin auditioned some of his songs for Motown, not as a performer but as a staff writer. He remembers that Barry Gordy came into his session and asked if he wanted to make a record, to which Severin answered, "No".

It took about eight months before he became the first white folk/country-type singer on Motown's growing white roster. "They paid me a draw -- money to live on, advance against future earnings and all the songs I wrote, they published. They didn't work the songs very much," he says without much regret. But Severin didn't seem to be in such a big hurry. In fact, he spent the better part of a year trying to find the right producer for his debut album. As Severin recalled later, "All Motown wanted to do was
to make their own record... so I just bided my time until I found Larry Murray who had written a lot of things for Johnny Cash including Cash's film, 'Gospel Road.'" Severin's debut album was released on Motown records in 1973.

People who appreciate music will pick up on the great melodies and smooth vocals of Severin Browne when they hear his debut album, titled simply "Severin Browne." The songs on the album cover a lot of subjects, but they all come from Severin's life experiences. Most of the cuts on the album feature, in addition to his savory vocals, Severin's lead acoustic guitar and piano work. The track, "All American Boy And His Dog" has a great honky-tonk feeling with lyrics like "Shut down, thrown out, like
an old motor scooter that's not worth the repair". "Sister" is a beautiful song with a touching metaphysical theme. Severin's subject matter always reflects his growth as an individual as well as an artist.

Severin's second album for the Motown label, titled "New Improved Severin Browne," was released in 1974. The album features a cast of stellar studio musicians and some very fine songwriting. Severin has admitted to being a romantic, a trait no more apparent than in the song "Love Notes From Denver" which chronicles an experience in his own life. Whether the atmosphere is
the purity of "Beginning To Believe", the upbeat plaintiveness of "Do Magnolia Do", or the subtly seductive "Tickle My Lips," the listener cannot resist becoming totally involved. Severin has named his greatest music influences as Paul Simon, James Taylor, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and his brother, Jackson.

By the age of 25, with two albums released, and the secretaries at Motown still asking his name when he visited, he made his get-away and swore he would not make another record. He kept that promise for 20 years before finally releasing his third album, "From The Edge Of The World", in 1995. This new album shows the growth that can come from 20 years of life's experiences. This new album is infused with an amazing flair for great melody and lyrics. Songs like "My Love Mo Betta" and "Uptown" showcase Severin's inspired soul and R&B flair which shows a strong Van Morrison influence. "Edge of The World" is a great rocker with a strong Jackson Browne feel, while love songs like "Leaving You's The Hardest Thing I've Known" and "If I Loved You" show that Severin has not lost the great 70's pop feel that was such a part of his earlier recordings.

These days, Severin is living in Southern California in the home built more than 70 years ago by his grandfather. He still performs regularly in various locations around the Los Angeles area and has plans for a new CD release sometime in the very near future.