Al James (bassist)

Al James
Background information
Birth name	Geoffrey Edwin Ransome Betts
Born	13 January 1946 Billesdon, UK
Died	16 November 2018(2018-11-16) (aged 72) Kettering General Hospital, UK
Instrument(s)	Vocals, bass
Formerly of	Showaddywaddy

Geoffrey Edwin Ransome Betts, known as Al James, was a British bassist in the British rock and roll revival band Showaddywaddy.

James, who was in the band The Golden Hammers, met local band Choise and in 1973 became Showaddywaddy. Geoffrey Betts chose the nick name Al James, and he was a backing singer and part time bassist. He also sang lead vocals on a few of their songs.

James retired in December 2008, and his health began to worsen. He suffered from several bouts of cancer which weakened his body, and in October 2018 suffered injuries after falling down a flight of stairs in his home. Less than a month later, James died in Kettering General Hospital, aged 72.

Early life

Geoffrey Edwin Ransome Betts was born on 13 January 1946 in Billesdon, Leicestershire. James was the third oldest original member of Showaddywaddy. He learned to play guitar and bass guitar at age 13.

Career

James began his musical career in the group Choise, composed of James, guitarist Trevor Oakes, singer Dave Bartram, and drummer Romeo Challenger. The group released a song in 1969.

In 1973, James co-founded Showaddywaddy. He served as the band's second bassist with Rod Deas, as well as a backing singer along with Buddy Gask. Betts used the stagename "Al James" once Showaddywaddy started to sell more records, but on a few singles is still credited as "Geoff Betts". James himself apparently didn't even remember how or why he started using a stage name. He occasionally sang lead vocals, including on “King Of The Jive” (1974), “Rocker Boots” (1975), “Record Machine” (1976), “Superstar” (1977), “Feelin’” (1977), “Teen Canteen” (1980) and “Do It Again” (1982), and also on a cover of “Say Mama” (1976) and "Hound Dog".

In 1977, James opened Alvic Studios in West Kensington with Vic Sweeney. They worked closely with Kevin Coyne. James played bass and was a studio engineer on a few of his albums including Dynamite Daze, Millionaires and Teddy Bears, and Bursting Bubbles.

In 1981, James, Buddy Gask, and Malcolm Allured were all in a band called Burglar's Dog. James wrote the B-side to one of their songs, "Mississippi". They released a cover of the Trevor Oakes written song "I Don't Like Rock n Roll No More" in 1981. Also in the band was guitarist Ray Martinez, who was in Showaddywaddy for one decade after replacing Russ Field in 1985.

His favourite bass guitars to perform with were the Fender Jazz and Danelectro Longhorn Bass.

James' retirement was announced during a gig at the Cheese & Grain club in Frome on 20 December 2008. In a January 2018 interview, James said, "It just felt like it was the right time to call it a day".

Personal life

James had two daughters and a son. His son is called James, after Betts' stage name.

Near the end of his life, James had cancer multiple times, weakening his body. In late October 2018, he fell from the top of the stairs in his Market Harborough home, sustaining serious injuries. Because he lived alone, he wasn't found until several hours after the fall. He died at Kettering General Hospital on 16 November 2018 at age 72. His funeral was held at St John the Baptist Church in Billesdon. Showaddywaddy members Dave Bartram, Trevor Oakes, and Romeo Challenger helped carried his coffin, which was brought into the church while the song "Hotel California" by Eagles was playing.