Bell & James
"We had been signed [to A&M] due to the demos we had sent out. At the time we recorded that music we had to play all the instruments since we didn't have the bread to pay studio musicians. Since A&M had bought the sound on those tapes, we felt we should play all the instruments on the album too. We wanted to give them the sound they paid for. We won't be one of those new groups that get a hit record, start a production company, a publishing company, and then go bankrupt. All That is too hard to do, especially if you have only a few people involved. We want to grow, but we'll take our time and do it right." Leroy Bell told Billboard.
The demo tape Bell mentioned above was sent to Almo/Irving Music, A&M Records music publishing wing. The demo was produced by Bell & James. They were already established songwriters having placed their songs with The Spinner and The O'Jays. Following the release of their debut album, they wrote "Mama Can't Buy You Love." The song became a hit for Elton John.
The first Bell & James single was released in September 1978. A&M's New York office got it started on black radio where it went into heavy rotation and continued to be played for six months. It took until December for popular radio to add it and that happened after it was played in clubs. "Livin' It up (Friday Night)" became a Top 20 hit.
OFFICIAL PROMOTION BY A&M RECORDS
Bell & James Provided Fuel For Elton's Chart Comeback Press Release
Bell & James: Only Make Believe
Bell & James: Only Make Believe
- Bell, James Blow Their Own Horns. Nelson George. Billboard, April 4, 1979.
| Name | Member Years | Instruments |
|---|---|---|
| Casey James | 1978-1981 | guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion |
| LeRoy M. Bell | 1978-1981 | guitar, drums, congas, percussion |
| Name | Birth | Death |
|---|---|---|
| Casey James | ||
| LeRoy M. Bell | 1951-09-13 |
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