Jimmy Lee (R.I.P. June 22, 2021) – Put Your Feet To The Beat (1979)

This stellar disco anthem by The Ritchie Family was co-written by the unsung guitarist Lee and the rest of the members of Gypsy Lane.

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Jimmy Lee was an unsung guitarist who was a member of the Village People’s backing band (aka Gypsy Lane) and played on all their hit songs. He also co-wrote material for Gypsy Lane’s debut solo album and for other artists including The Ritchie Family and Dennis Parker.

Along with his brother, rhythm guitarist Rodger Lee, Jimmy was chosen by arranger and conductor Horace Ott in 1977 to help anchor the rhythm section that played on the self-titled debut album by a new disco project called the Village People. At the time, the group only consisted of lead singer Victor Willis. who had given a demo tape to two French producers, composer Jacques Morali and his business partner Henri Belolo. The duo had moved to New York City to try and crack the disco market and were calling themselves Can’t Stop Productions.

After the album blew up, other dancers were hired to back up Willis in live appearances, and the group’s subsequent albums sold millions on their way to becoming one of the biggest acts of the mainstream disco era. The Lee brothers and the rest of the original backing band (dubbed Gypsy Lane) played on everything they put out.

In 1978, Gypsy Lane released their own debut solo album Predictions. Together with the rest of the group, Jimmy and Rodger co-wrote all its songs. Highlights included the beautiful slow jam “I Could Use Some Loving” and the mellow closing cut “We’ll Have Love” (both co-written with Bunny Sigler’s writing partner Phil Hurtt), and the funk bomb “Boogie Woogie Woman.”

The following year, Jimmy played lead guitar (and talk box) on Bad Reputation (1979), the sixth studio album by The Ritchie Family, a group produced by Morali and Belolo and originally put together by Philly soul arranger/producer Richie Rome. It was their first release on Casablanca Records.

Together with the rest of Gypsy Lane, he co-wrote the album’s stellar disco opening cut and lead single “Put Your Feet To The Beat,” which hit #14 on dance charts. Jimmy can be heard on talk box singing the chorus. The Ritchie Family also shot a classic video to promote the track.

Rest in Power, Jimmy Lee.

#soul #funk #disco #GypsyLane #JimmyLee