The Left Banke’s Michael Brown Dies

Brown died of heart failure Thursday, according to Marge Finn, a family friend.

Born Michael Lookofsky, Brown grew up in Brooklyn. A keyboardist and songwriter for the The Left Banke, he co-wrote the 1966 hit “Walk Away Renee” — The Left Banke’s biggest hit, which rose to No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart — and composed “Pretty Ballerina,” which rose to No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Both songs are considered highly influential works.

Brown is survived by his wife, Yvonne, and twin sons Skylar and Adrian, both 17, Finn said.