JAMES & BOBBY PURIFY

James & Bobby Purify are remembered as one-hit wonders despite going top forty with four different songs.

James Purify was born in Pensacola, Florida, on May 12, 1944. His cousin, Robert Lee Dickey, was born in Tallahassee on September 2, 1939, and had previously worked as a guitarist with the Dothan Sextet. When he and his cousin started singing together, Dickey changed his name to “Bobby Purify.”

In 1966, “Papa” Don Schroeder signed the duo to Bell Records and recorded them at the FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Their debut release, “I’m Your Puppet,” was co-written by Dan Penn (who produced the session) and Spooner Oldham. The single came out in September 1966, reaching #5 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart and #6 pop. It was also a certified million-seller.

Though “I’m Your Puppet” was by far their biggest hit, the Purifys placed eight singles on the Billboard charts through 1968, four of which made the pop top forty. They continued to record and perform together until 1971, when Dickey left the music business for health reasons. He returned to Tallahassee, where he worked as a custodial crew supervisor at the town’s police department. Dickey also played the guitar and performed gospel music with the Bethlehem Male Singers.

James Purify worked a soloist until 1974, when he hired Ben Moore to be the new Bobby Purify. Moore’s previous experience included working with Otis Redding and James Brown. Their 1974 single, “Do Your Thing,” was the first James & Bobby Purify release to make the charts in six years. In 1976, they recorded a new version of “I’m Your Puppet,” which became a hit both in the UK and in New Zealand.

Though he and James Purify toured together until the 1980s, Ben Moore signed with Mercury Records as a solo act in 1977. As Bobby Purify, he released an LP, Purified, two years later. In 1983, Moore’s recording of “He Believes in Me” received a Grammy nomination for Best Soul Gospel Performance—Traditional.

In 1998, Moore went blind from severe glaucoma and left the music industry. However, with the encouragement of Ray Charles, he returned to performing and recording. In 2005, as Bobby Purify, he released an album (produced by Dan Penn) titled Better to Have It. Moore later joined the acclaimed gospel act, the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Robert Lee Dickey, 72, died on December 29, 2011. And James Purify, 76, died on January 22, 2021, of complications from COVID-19.

Rock critic Dave Marsh included “I’m Your Puppet” in his 1989 book, The Heart of Rock and Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made.

Charted singles:

“I’m Your Puppet” (1966) R&B #5, Pop #6
“Wish You Didn’t Have to Go” (1967) R&B #27, Pop #38
“Shake a Tail Feather” (1967) R&B #15, Pop #25
“I Take What I Want” (1967) R&B #23, Pop #41
“Let Love Come Between Us” (1967) R&B #18, Pop #23
“Do Unto Me” (1968) R&B #38, Pop #75
“I Can Remember” (1968) R&B #42, Pop #51
“Help Yourself (To All of My Lovin’”) (1968) R&B #31, Pop #94
“Untie Me” (1968) R&B #37
“Do Your Thing” (1974) R&B #30