The reception to LeRoy Bell's music has been spectacular. Having performed with B.B. King, Van Morrison, Sheryl Crow, Etta James, Al Green, Paolo Nutini, India.Arie, Erykah Badu, LeAnne Rimes, Michael McDonald, Idina Menzel, Colin Hay, Mavis Staples, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Leon Russell, Sonny Landreth, Charlie Musselwhite and Los Lobos, not only has he grown as a touring artist, but the experience has given his music an edge that places him in a league of performers creating a sound that crosses man...
The reception to LeRoy Bell's music has been spectacular. Having performed with B.B. King, Van Morrison, Sheryl Crow, Etta James, Al Green, Paolo Nutini, India.Arie, Erykah Badu, LeAnne Rimes, Michael McDonald, Idina Menzel, Colin Hay, Mavis Staples, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Leon Russell, Sonny Landreth, Charlie Musselwhite and Los Lobos, not only has he grown as a touring artist, but the experience has given his music an edge that places him in a league of performers creating a sound that crosses many demographics.
The Bell family legacy extended from Philly to Seattle when Thom Bell, LeRoy's uncle and third member of Mighty Three Music (along with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff), opened up the west coast offices of Mighty Three Music in the late 70's. As a young staff writer, LeRoy teamed up with Casey James and wrote songs that would be recorded by The Spinners, The O'Jays, The Temptations, Rita Marley and most notably Elton John.
In the late 70's Elton John discovered LeRoy and quickly became a fan of his song writing - recording two of his songs. Elton's recording of Bell's song "Mama Can't Buy Me Love," from the "Thom Bell Sessions," went to #9 pop, #36 R&B, and #1 Adult/Contemporary in the fall of 1979 - earning Elton a Grammy Nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. That same year, Bell and James had their own million-seller with "Livin' It Up (Friday Night)" on A&M Records.
2003 brought new life for LeRoy as the Fat Boy Slim mix of Elton's "Are you Ready For Love," (composed by Bell) reached #1 in England and most of Europe. LeRoy reinvented himself emerging as a singer/songwriter releasing the acclaimed EP "Spending Time" on his own label, Martez Music Group. After "Spending Time" sold over 15,000 copies, he released "Two Sides to Every Story" and his career was officially re-born.
LeRoy Bell's "Only Friends" (his band), features Terry Morgan on bass who has played with Dee Daniels, Pat Wright & The Total Experience Gospel Choir, Dave Lewis, Thelma Houston and others. The mighty force on drums features Davis Martin, formerly of the band, Maktub. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
