b. J.R. Bailey a.k.a. James Ralph Bailey/Ralph Bailey, 17th June 1937, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
d. 6th September 1985, New York City, New York State, U.S.A.
J.R. Bailey was an R & B singer and songwriter, who hailed from Baltimore.
the cadillacs (l to r: bobby spencer, bill lindsay, waldo champen and j.r. bailey)
He was a member of the Cadillacs from 1956 to 1972 and scored five R & B singles hits under his own name between 1968 and 1975, the biggest of which was 'After Hours' (number 29, 1973).
the cadillacs (j.r. top-centre)
After his stay with the Cadillacs, J.R.Bailey began songwriting for the likes of Ben E.King, The Three Degrees, The Platters, Esther Phillips, The Sweet Inspirations, The Rayletts, Arthur Prysock and Ike & Tina Turner.
He is also the author of the hits 'Everybody Plays the Fool,' by the Main Ingredient, and 'Love, Love, Love,' by Donny Hathaway.
J.R. also sang backgrounds for the likes of Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Melvin Van Peebles and Jimmy Castor.
During 1965, J.R. released the singles 'Hush' b/w 'If Goodbye Means Gone' and 'I Miss Her' b/w 'Happy Train' for the Columbia label.
He later released several singles between 1973 and 1975, including 'I Can't Keep Holding On', 'Everything I Want I See In You' and 'If They Could See Me Now' for the MAM and Midland International imprints.
J.R. Bailey With the Manhattans 1975
In 1974, J.R. Bailey released 'Just Me N' You' on MAM Records, distributed by London Records, which contained his version of 'Love, Love, Love'.
Produced by Bailey, Jerome Jasper, Ken Williams and Mel Kent, this album has become highly collectable amongst the U.K. soul fraternity.
photo courtesy of gilles petard (ace records)
love and conversation - 1977
In 1977 he released the album 'Love And Conversation' for the United Artists imprint, which included the Sweet Soul stepper 'That's Love'.
J.R.Bailey's additional releases included 'I'm Still In Love With You' (1982), while as a songwriter his credits included 'Sweet Music, Soft Lights And You' (lsaac Hayes / Millie Jackson), 'Just Me And You' (Erasmus Hall), 'I Can't Keep Holding On' (Ace Spectrum), 'Gift Wrap My Love'/'She's My Summer Breeze' (The Reflections) and 'Spoiled' (Ben E. King).
J.R. was one of the co-writers for 'Let Me Prove My Love To You' by The Main Ingredient.
Alicia Keys sampled the track for her melody 'You Don't Know My Name'.
J.R. passed away in New York City in September 1985.
Albums:
Rockin,' Rollin' and Strollin' (Capitol Records 1958)
Just Me N' You (MAM Records 1974)
Love and Conversation (United Artists Records 1977)
