James Purify RIP

COVID-19 has claimed the life of yet another soul man - this time James Purify at the age of 76. Born in Pensacola, James joined up with his cousin Robert Dickey to form James and Bobby Purify and had immediate success in 1966 with the Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham song 'I'm Your Puppet' having been signed to Bell records by Papa Don Schroeder. It was produced by Papa Don at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals. Successful follow ups included 'Wish You Didn't Have To Go', a revival of the Five Du-Tones' Shake A Tailfeather', 'I Take What I Want'. 'Do Unto Me' and 'Let Love Come Between Us'. After Bobby left through illness in 1971 James continued as a solo artist before joining up with Ben Moore in 1974 to form another version of the Purifys. Success came with a re-recording of 'I'm Your Puppet' which reached number 12 in the UK in 1976 before the duo split up in 1978.