Introduction
The Bellamy Brothers are an American pop and country duo who reached the peak of their career during 70’s music era. Signing to Curb Records in 1975, they achieved their biggest hit with the single “Let Your Love Flow” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. From much of the 1970s up to early 1990s the Bellamy Brothers amassed mostly country hits, including nine chart-topping singles. In the early 2010’s they also became popular and successful in Europe. Find out more about the Bellamy Brothers in this article!
The Bellamy Brothers’ start in the music business
Originated from Darby, Florida, The Bellamy Brothers are known for “Let Your Love Flow” which became a worldwide hit in 1976. The American pop and country music duo consists of brothers David Milton Bellamy (born on September 16, 1950) and Homer Howard Bellamy (born February 2, 1946) who were raised in a musically-inclined family; their father was once a member of a local Western Swing band while they got their classic rock n roll influence from their sister who was into that genre. David and Howard were naturally talented. Without taking any formal training in music, they learned how to play several string instruments by themselves.
The Bellamy Brothers’ earliest musical stint was in San Antonio, Florida, playing for a benefit concert along with their father. Shortly, they formed their own band Jericho when they moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Jericho performed at clubs but soon they grew exasperated of playing from one club to another that they moved back to their hometown. Around 1974, the brothers were spotted by a friend of Jim Stafford, a recording artist who helped them to move to Los Angeles, California. Stafford also hired Howard as his own road manager.
The Bellamy Brothers’ recording career with “Let Your Love Flow” and other hits
In 1975, The Bellamy Brothers was signed to Curb Records where they issued their debut single “Nothin’ Heavy,” which didn’t do badly as it landed at #77 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later, Dennis St. John (drummer of Neil Diamond) suggested to the brothers to record “Let Your Love Flows”. Written by Diamond’s roadie Larry Williams, the song became a big hit, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 while it was at #21 on the country chart in 1976. It also became a hit in several countries, becoming #1 in Australia, Canada (adult contemporary), Germany and Switzerland.
After scoring several moderate-sized hit between 1976 and 1978, The Bellamy Brothers returned to the national chart in 1979 with “If I Said You Have a Beautiful Body, Would You Hold It Against Me,” reaching #39 which was also their last appearance on the said chart. The song was also the duo’s first entry on the country chart which went at #1
For much of the 1980’s, The Bellamy Brothers continued to top the country charts, including the songs “Sugar Daddy” (1980), “Dancing Cowboys” (1980), “Do You Love As Good as You Look” (1981), “For All the Wrong Reasons” (1982), “Redneck Girl” (1982), “When I’m Away from You” (1983), “I Need More of You” (1985), and “Kids of the Baby Boom” (1987).
Recent years
The duo continued to release singles in the 1990’s on various labels such as Atlantic (1991) and Blue Hat Records (1999). Returning to Curb Records in 2005, they released a compilation of their previous hits called Angels & Outlaws. It also featured several artists including Dolly Parton who remade “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body.” In 2007, they issued a gospel album called Jesus Is Coming which is their most recent record.
They are also wildly popular in Europe; their compilation went all the way to #1 on the Norwegian national charts in 2011.
The Bellamy brothers have amassed 10 number one singles on the Billboard’s country charts, making them one of the successful country artists during their time. Their songs have not only touched the hearts of country music fans but also oldies music fans too.