The Unexpected Journey of the Bellamy Brothers’ Iconic Hit ‘Let Your Love Flow’
In a twist of fate,Neil Diamond unknowingly let go of a golden opportunity when he declined a song penned by his roadie,larry E. Williams, back in 1975. At that time, Diamond was immersed in recording demos for his upcoming album, Gorgeous Noise, in Los Angeles.
Simultaneously occurring, the song found its way to the Bellamy Brothers, Howard and David, who had just moved to Los Angeles. Their debut single, “Let Your Love Flow,” not only made waves in the U.S. but also soared internationally, clinching the top spot on charts in Germany and making it into the Top 10 in various othre countries.
the backstory of how the Bellamys came to possess this hit is as intriguing as the song itself, and it all began with a little homegrown cannabis.
From Struggles to Success: The Bellamy Brothers’ Early Days
In 1974, the Bellamy brothers were just two aspiring musicians from darby, Florida, with a modest portfolio that included writing jingles for local advertisements. Their collaboration with comedian and musician Jim Stafford led to the co-writing of “Spiders & Snakes,” which became a number-three hit for Stafford that same year. This breakthrough was pivotal for the brothers, providing them with the financial stability they desperately needed.
“Jim and that song were crucial for us as we were struggling financially,” David recalls. “That success allowed us to relocate to Los Angeles.”
It was in L.A. that they crossed paths with Diamond’s band. “We met through mutual friends and quickly became close,” David shares.
“We spent a lot of time together, often enjoying some homegrown weed, which helped us bond,” Howard adds with a chuckle.
A Fortuitous Encounter
As the brothers began recording demos with the help of diamond’s backing band, a significant moment arrived when Diamond’s drummer, Dennis St. John, approached them with an exciting opportunity.
“He said, ‘Hey, Larry, our roadie wrote this fantastic song, and you guys should check it out.’ That song was ‘Let Your Love Flow,’” Howard recalls.
Interestingly, the song had already been turned down by both neil Diamond and Johnny Rivers.
“when we first heard it, we were blown away,” David admits. “It was just such a grate fit for us.”
“Dennis was right; it sounded like something we would do,” David adds.
Creating the Hit
With the creative atmosphere enhanced by the lingering scent of cannabis, the Bellamys got to work, utilizing Diamond’s band and their equipment.
“We recorded using Richard Bennett’s acoustic guitars, including a black Gibson Everly Brothers J-180 and a Martin D-28,” David remembers. “Richard would frequently enough take the Gibson out of its case to play.”
“We didn’t have to start from scratch; we recorded the single in just five or six takes.”
The recording sessions were efficient.”The band had already played on the original demo, and the arrangement was spot on,” David explains.”We didn’t need to overhaul anything; we wrapped up the single quickly.”
“however, the mixing process took three long days,” Howard interjects. “We were on a quest for the perfect sound, and I remember our engineer getting frustrated and throwing his headset against the wall. It was a challenge, but we eventually found the right mix.”
Chart-Topping Success
released by Warner bros. Records in January 1976, “Let Your Love Flow” skyrocketed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 by May, also making its mark on the Adult Contemporary and Country charts. David notes that their label shared the single with visiting executives from the Netherlands, who then introduced it to their counterparts in Germany. The song subsequently topped the charts in both countries and enjoyed significant success in Norway, Sweden, the U.K., South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.
“I’m not sure if Neil ever regretted passing on it, but he has always been very supportive of our version.”
A Lasting Legacy
Over the years, the Bellamy Brothers have continued to thrive, especially on the country charts, with hits like “If I Said You have a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)” and “Do You Love as Good as You Look,” contributing to their impressive tally of 26 Top 10 country singles. they are currently on their 50 Years of Hits tour, which includes their first-ever headlining performance at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on June 25.
As for Neil Diamond, did he ever express regret about passing on “Let Your Love Flow”? David reflects, “I can’t say for sure if he regretted it, but he has always been complimentary. We’ve maintained a amiable relationship over the years.”
