[4] He was born in Maidstone, Kent, England and attended Bexhill Grammar School in Sussex, where he became friendly with Mike Leadbitter.
[1][5] After leaving school, he worked for the Midland Bank, a career that he maintained for over thirty years.
[4] Broven made his first trip to Louisiana in 1970,[1] when he met musicians Archibald, Professor Longhair and Huey "Piano" Smith.
[7] American Songwriter[8] and Pop Matters also gave Record Makers and Breakers, which was published in 2008, favourable reviews.
[3] Broven has also lectured and made radio broadcasts covering the history of R&B music.