A chat with The Bellamy Brothers
Their first official debut was in 1968, playing a free show with their father at the Rattlesnake Roundup in San Antonio, Florida. They followed that up by playing black clubs throughout the South and singing back-up for artistes such as Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd and Little Anthony and The Imperials. This was followed by the break they needed with the song “I need more of you” which led to mega concerts and almost 14 US number one hits. To this date The Bellamy Brothers remain one of the most successful bands in the country music circuit.
Speaking to www.life.lk ahead of their Sri Lankan concert which concluded over the weekend (February 8) at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium), David Bellamy says “We do almost a 150 to 160 shows a year in the US alone and in addition to that we tour all over the world especially Australia a lot because they are big fans of country music.”
I had to ask them, after so many years, how they are not at each other’s throats in an industry where many bands can’t last for long.
To which they both say,
“Well, I don't think it's anything I or he is responsible for. I think we were just kind of born with a pretty good chemistry with each other. And, we can both credit our parents for teaching us at an early age how to get along. We were raised on a ranch in Florida and were taught how to work together and accomplish things when we were kids. We think that had a lot to do with it. We don't agree on everything, but we've survived for years in the music business together.”
Speaking about why they took so long to visit Sri Lanka, Howard says “Sri Lanka has been calling for the last 10 years. However each time a company called we were either busy or the deal didn’t fall through but we are glad to finally be here.”
A favourite question I love asking musicians is what they think of present day music amidst all the “twerking” and Biebers - and David gave me the perfect answer.
“Music has quite literarily gone to hell, everything is so technologically advanced that even a person who can’t sing just auto-tunes himself/herself and becomes an artiste. I also doubt that there will ever be evergreens from the present generation as musicians don’t last for long in present times.”
When speaking about their two biggest hits, “Let your love flow” and “Beautiful Body” I asked them which one of two they would consider the greatest hit and they replied,
“‘Let your love flow’ was a worldwide hit and ‘Beautiful Body’ was a hit where people spoke English.”
As for future plans the duo will be launching their 40th anniversary celebratory album comprising 15 of the greatest hits and also 15 brand new songs.
The duo’s performance in Sri Lanka was a tremendous success and they surely intend to make it back before they retire.
Text by Reihan Stephen
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