Lawrence Williams (songwriter)
Lawrence Williams | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Larry E. Williams |
| Born | Lawrence Eugene Williams United States |
| Genres | Rock, country |
| Instruments | Guitar, Piano |
| Formerly of | The Second Helping |
Lawrence Williams aka Larry E. Williams is an American songwriter, musician and former roadie. He found success with his composition "Let Your Love Flow" which was a hit for the Bellamy Brothers in 1976.
Background
Williams was once a roadie for Neil Diamond.[1] During the 1960s, he was a member of the group The Second Helping that also included Kenny Loggins in the lineup.[2] Williams didn't start out to be a songwriter. He wrote other songs such as "Miss Oo Oo Oo", "City Sadness" and "When You Miss Your Love" etc.,[3][4] but his major successes were "Let Your Love Flow" and "Gentle on Your Senses, Easy on Your Mind".[5]
Career
While at school Williams started learning saxophone but gave it up in favor of guitar and he had assistance from friends in learning to play it. As a teenager he worked in music stores as well as played in club bands. One of the bands was The Second Helping which featured Kenny Loggins on rhythm guitar and vocals.[6] The group recorded three singles for the Viva Records label.[7]
Williams wrote "Let Your Love Flow" for Neil Diamond. However, Diamond didn't want to record the song. Johnny Rivers passed on the song as well. But song had actually been recorded by Gene Cotton but he didn't have the rights to it. Dennis St. John, the drummer for Diamond thought that it was a perfect song for The Bellamy Brothers and after some reluctance by their label Curb Records, they were allowed to record it. The song would get to No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.[8]
Williams wrote "Gentle to Your Senses" which was recorded by Mel McDaniel.[9][10] It was a hit for him, peaking at No. 18 on the Billboard Country chart in 1977.[11] It also peaked at No. 15 on the Cash Box Top 100 Country chart.[12] The song was also the title for Daniel's album.[13]
Williams was a production assistant on Neil Diamond's 1986 album, Headed for the Future.[14] Williams wrote the song "When You Miss Your Love" which was recorded by Neil Diamond and included on his 1991 album Lovescape.[15]
References
- ↑ The Vinyl Dialogues, November 8, 2021 - Doobie Brothers share the backstories of their 1970s songs and albums By Mike Morsch
- ↑ BMI, Issue II, 1977 - Page 38 Lawrence Williams By Robert Musel
- ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Music · Volume 29, 1975 - Page 2255pv=1&dq=%22Larry+E.+Williams%22Loaves+and+Fishes%22&pg=PA2255 EU586779. Miss Oo Oo Oo. w & m Larry E. Williams. 2 p. (c) Loaves and Fishes Music Company, Inc.: 9Jun75; EU586799; EU58671. City sadness. w & m Larry E. Williams. 3 p. (c) Loves and Fishes Music Company, Inc.; 9Jun75; EU58671
- ↑ LP Discography - Neil Diamond, Lovescape, 5. When You Miss Your Love, Larry Williams
- ↑ Louder Sound, 11 November 2022 - How the Bellamy Brothers' happiest hit produced the wealthiest roadie ever By Grant Moon
- ↑ BMI, Issue II, 1977 - Page 38 Lawrence Williams By Robert Musel
- ↑ 45Cat - The Second Helping - Discography
- ↑ The Vinyl Dialogues, November 8, 2021 - Doobie Brothers share the backstories of their 1970s songs and albums By Mike Morsch
- ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third series, By Library of Congress. Copyright Office · 1977 - Page 2402 EU7 3603.
Gentle to your senses, easy on your
mind. W & M Larry E. Williams. 2 p. C Loaves and Fishes Music Company, Inc. :
1Dec76; EU36073 - ↑ BMI, Issue II, 1977 - Page 38 Lawrence Williams By Robert Musel
- ↑ MusicVF.com - Gentle to Your Senses : Mel McDaniel
- ↑ Cash Box, September 3, 1977 - Page 42 CASH BOX TOP 100 COUNTRY September 3, 1977, 20 GENTLE TO YOUR SENSES MEL McDANIEL (Capitol 4430), 8/27 15, Weeks On Chart 15
- ↑ Country Music, January, 1978 - Page 49 Mel McDaniel, Gentle To Your Senses
- ↑ Neil Diamond, Headed for the Future, CBS CBS 26952, 1986
- ↑ LP Discography - Neil Diamond, Lovescape, 5. When You Miss Your Love, Larry Williams
External links
- Discogs - Larry E. Williams