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Posted on 08/13/2025 10:20:27 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Yesterday’s classic song of the day was the 5th Dimension’s recording of “Puppet Man.” Sticking with the puppet theme, today’s classic song of the day is “I’m Your Puppet” by James & Bobby Purify. Released in September of 1966, the single went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on Billboard’s R&B chart. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, losing to the now-forgotten “Hold It Right There” by Ramsey Lewis.
James & Bobby Purify were a pair of singing cousins from Florida, James Purify and Robert Lee Dickey. They started singing together in 1965 and signed their first record contract, with Bell Records, the year following. “I’m Your Puppet” was their first hit, and they followed that up with “Shake a Tail Feather,” “Let Love Come Between Us,” and other tracks.
Interestingly, Purify cousin Bobby didn’t particularly like singing “I’m Your Puppet.” In his own words:
“I hated it. It was originally intended to be the B-side. But things got changed… I sang it for 23 hours straight (in the studio), that’s why I hate it.”
“I’m Your Puppet” was written by the team of Dewey “Spooner” Oldham and Dan Penn. Penn was a professional songwriter who wrote or co-wrote a number of big hits, including “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” for Aretha Franklin, “Cry Like a Baby” for the Box Tops, and “Sweet Inspiration” for the Sweet Inspirations. Oldham was better known as a studio musician, playing organ on sessions for Wilson Pickett (“Mustang Sally”), Percy Sledge (“When a Man Loves a Woman“), Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young, and others.
Purify cousin Bobby Dickey retired from performing in 1971, due to health reasons. He returned to his hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, and became a custodial crew supervisor at the Tallahassee Police Department. He continued singing with his church and as a member of the Bethlehem Male Singers. He passed away in 2011, age 72.
After Bobby retired from performing, his cousin James Purify continued as a solo act for a few years. He joined up with Ben Moore in 1974, with Moore becoming “Bobby Purify” in the James & Bobby Purify act. James passed away in 2021, age 76.
Today’s daily bonus video of the day, then, is a television performance by James and Bobby Purify, lip synching “I’m Your Puppet.” No idea where this appeared.
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Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
Classic. Great song. Didn’t know they had a video. Going to down load that. I dj, and play that song every now and then depending on the age of the crowd. Video makes it even better. Thanks.
YW. What do you DJ for?
Just a couple of clubs. A lot of karaoke these days.
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