The Bellamy Brothers took a very different path to country, that’s for sure. They were from very rural Florida (San Antonio area). Two huge breaks helped launch their incredible career, that would rattle off 20 #1 Country Hits and many other terrific top ten’s. They were one of the very big players in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. Before we had Brooks And Dunn, we had the Bellamy Brothers. I played all their hits for many years.
Incredible Song
Howard and David Bellamy formed a band called Jericho. They met up with another young singer, Floridian named Jim Stafford from Eloise, Florida. (I’ve been to Eloise – small) Stafford and David wrote a silly song called Spiders And Snakes that Stafford took to top five pop and country in 1974, as it sold over a million copies. Howard and David took the money they made from that song and moved to Los Angeles to further their music career. Howard became Stafford’s road manager, then came the second break, and it was a big one.
Fans Loved This Song
A roadie on mega-star Neil Diamond’s crew wrote a song for Neil to record, but Diamond passed on it saying it wasn’t a good fit for him. The song was then offered to big pop star Johnny Rivers who also passed. A singer named Gene Cotton recorded it in 1975 as part of an album that went nowhere. Then Diamond’s drummer, Dennis St. John, brought the song to the unknown Bellamy’s saying, “This song sounds like you guys.” The Bellamy’s loved it, took the song, and with Diamond’s band recorded it in 3 takes. The song? Let Your Love Flow. It became one of the 100 most played songs of the entire 20th century. It’s one of biggest country/pop hits of all time and quite frankly, it’s a song everyone knows.
Big Hit
It was number one in the USA and number one in virtually every country at the time that had a music chart. And in most countries it spent several weeks at number one. It was literally a world wide hit. – These were rare. After a couple of years they found their way to the Country charts for good. They recorded classics like, Redneck Girl, Do You Love As Good As You Look, Old Hippie, and Kids Of The Baby Boom. (Rolling Stone calls Old Hippie one of the best country songs of all time.)
Old Hippie – Major Hit
They were versatile and struck it big with Crazy From The Heart, Sante Fe, When I’m Away From You, and many others. They were staples on the country charts starting in 1979 then for many years to come. Their sound was extremely country at times and crossover at others. They could sing fun numbers like Reggae Cowboy, Sugar Daddy, or Dancin’ Cowboys, to very powerful ballads like I Need More Of You, and You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie. In time they took on an Island vibe too. Their list of hit songs is far too long for this writing, so Google them to remember, or to learn and discover some of the best country pop you’ll ever hear.
This Is A Great Song
I emceed them many times in my career. They sounded as great in a bar, as they did in a large theater. One thing I remember is that they were always fun. Their shows were a great time. As their chart success slowed down, they didn’t, as they still play today.
Versatility Was Amazing
Yes, they will always be remembered for recording one of the biggest songs of an entire century. I asked them once backstage if they knew at the time they had recorded a classic. They said laughing, “Hell no, you never, ever know.” Everything about Let Your Love Flow is fantastic. But the thing that really sticks with me from that song is this. I can’t imagine that song being sung by any other artist. It’s the definition of making a song your own. Funny, as big of a song as that was, it has not been successfully remade since. Everyone knows, its been done by the right group, the right way, and that’s that. Sometimes the mold gets broken.
One of the greatest Country Duos Of All Time
Big Number One
