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| Leroy Bell and Casey James |
| Drummer/guitarist Leroy Bell met guitarist/bassist/keyboardist Casey James while both were members of the Philadelphia band Special Blend. After the band disbanded, the two began a songwriting partnership. Bell's uncle was Philly soul mainstay Thom Bell, a key player at Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records. He signed the duo to a music publishing contract with Mighty Three Music, a company he co-owned with Gamble & Huff. Their songs were covered by Elton John (the gold number nine pop/Top 36 R&B hit "Mama Can't Buy Me Love,") MFSB, LTD, the O'Jays, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Freda Payne, and Pockets. Another one of their songs was included in the 1979 basketball movie "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh." In early 1978 the duo was signed to their own recording contract with A&M Records. Their debut album, "Bell & James" was recorded between June-August of that year. Naturally the duo wrote and arranged the entire effort, besides playing nearly every instrument. 2/3 of the Sweethearts of Sigma Sound (Carla Benson & Yvette Benton) provided background vocals alongside Harriet Tharpe. Rounding out the borrowed talent was Don Renaldo and his strings. Their debut single "Livin It Up (Friday Night)" went gold, going to number seven R&B and number 15 pop on the singles charts and thanks to a remixed version hit even higher on the club lists in early 1979. A followup single didn't fare as well, "You Never Know What You've Got" barely hit #-54 on the black charts and didn't even crack the top 40. A second album, "Only Make Believe" was released in late 1979. A 12" single of "Shakedown" was released and quickly sank. The single peaked at #-65 on the black charts and a followup single of the title track fared somewhat better at #-50. A third album, 1981's "Black And White" came and went without even a notice. Their contract with A&M was fulfilled and the duo disbanded as a recording act. Leroy Bell has continued working doing backing vocals for Chuck Mangione, Ken Boynton and Tony Gable & 206 among others. Casey James has soldiered on as a musician most notably on works by Chuck Mangione and Unwritten Law. |
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