ABOUT
The R&B/soul duo known as James and Bobby Purify were cousins James Purify and Robert Lee Dickey (September 2, 1939 - December 29, 2011). This Florida-based vocal ensemble was formed in 1965 with Dickey taking his cousin's surname as his stage name.
James and Bobby Purify made their national debut in 1966 on both the Pop/Rock and R&B charts with the Dan Penn/Spooner Oldham-penned soul classic, "I'm Your Puppet," which became a Top 10 hit on both charts and received a Grammy nomination the following year. Their long string of hits also included "I Take What I Want" (1967), "Let Love Come Between Us" (1967), "Shake A Tail Feather" (1967), and "Wish You Didn't Have To Go" (1967).
After Dickey left the duo and the music business in 1971, James Purify continued on as a solo artist until 1974 when he paired up with Ben Moore and reformed the James and Bobby Purify act with Moore as Bobby Purify. They had one R&B chart hit in 1974 with their rendition of Isaac Hayes' "Do Your Thing." (1972). They later released a new version of "I'm Your Puppet" that became a UK chart hit in 1976.
MERCHANDISE
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- James And Bobby Purify - CDs, vinyl, & more - Amazon.com
- James And Bobby Purify - Digital music - Amazon.com
- James And Bobby Purify - Rare vinyl, CDs, & more - MusicStack.com
SONGS
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James And Bobby Purify
- I Take What I Want 1967
- I'm Your Puppet 1966
(This song later became a minor hit for Dionne Warwick (1972). The 1991 Hi-C hit, "I'm Not Your Puppet," includes samples of the original James and Bobby Purify version of this song.) - Let Love Come Between Us 1967
- Shake A Tail Feather 1967
(This song was previously a hit for the Five Du-Tones (1963). Ray Charles also recorded a cover of this song which was part of the soundtrack of the 1984 movie, "The Blues Brothers.")
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