Paul Kelly (American musician) facts for kids

Paul Kelly, born on June 19, 1940, is an American singer and songwriter. He is famous for his soul songs, especially "Stealing in the Name of the Lord," which was a big hit in 1970. Another well-known song of his is "Hooked, Hogtied & Collared." Paul Kelly also wrote "Personally," a song that many other artists have sung. It was a hit for soul singer Jackie Moore and singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff. Even country singer Ronnie McDowell covered it. Other songs by Paul Kelly have been sung by gospel artists like the Mighty Clouds of Joy and The Staple Singers.

Paul Kelly's Early Life

Paul Kelly was born in Overtown, Miami, Florida. He was the fourth of six children in his family. Paul was raised by his grandmother. Around 1956, his brother Henry started a singing group. Paul was the lead singer. This group only lasted a few months before Henry left for college.

After that, Paul formed a new group with his school friends. They were from 20th Street School. This group was first called The Spades, and later The Valadeers. Another member of the group was Jimmy Cherry. Jimmy later sang with a group called The Fantastics.

Paul Kelly's Solo Music Career

In 1960, Paul Kelly decided to become a solo artist. He recorded a song called "I'll String Along with You." This song was for Dade Records, but it was never released. There was a disagreement between Paul and the record company.

A singer, songwriter, and producer from Miami, Clarence Reid, heard Paul practicing. Clarence asked Paul to sing with his group, The Delmiros. Their lead singer had lost his voice. Paul recorded a song called "Down with It, Can't Quit It." It was released in 1963 under the name Clarence Reid & The Delmiros. Paul started performing this song live in clubs.

First Solo Songs

Paul Kelly's first official solo song was "It's My Baby." It came out in 1965. This song was inspired by the boxing win of Muhammad Ali over Sonny Liston. His next song, "Chills and Fever," was written by Clarence Reid and Willie Clarke. Dial Records picked up this song and Atlantic Records helped distribute it.

Later, Paul worked with Nashville producer Buddy Killen. Paul then released a third song, "Since I Found You." He released it with a group called Paul Kelly & the Rocketeers.

Moving to New York

After these songs, Paul Kelly released four more songs on Philips Records. Buddy Killen produced these songs in Muscle Shoals. One of them was a slow song called "Nine Out of Ten Times." Paul Kelly, Clarence Reid, and Willie Clarke wrote it together.

In 1967, Paul decided to move to Brooklyn, New York City. He invited a songwriting partner, Juanita Rogers, to join him. They became a couple and lived together. Paul recorded some music in 1968 for Stan Watson's Philly Groove label. However, these songs were never released.

"Stealing in the Name of the Lord"

Paul Kelly wrote the song "Stealing in the Name of the Lord." He originally thought of the group Sam & Dave singing it. But Sam Moore, whom Paul knew from Miami, did not want to sing it.

The song talks about church leaders who might not always do what they say. Paul Kelly said about the song, "That's been my way of thinking all the time... Thinking about what's wrong with [the] church... And what they talk about and what they do are two different things..."

Paul sold the rights to the song to Buddy Killen. He recorded it at Muscle Shoals. Killen helped release it through Happy Tiger Records. However, many radio stations were worried the song might upset their sponsors. Because of this, the song was slow to become popular at first.

How the Song Became a Hit

The song got a big boost from Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams Jr. He was going to Baltimore to promote music. He visited a radio DJ named Rockin' Robin with Paul Kelly. Paul was trying to promote the other side of the record, "The Day After Forever." But Rockin' Robin really liked "Stealing" and played it many times in a row. Paul remembered, "Everybody started calling in and I never looked back after that."

The song first appeared on the music charts in June 1970. It reached number 5 on the Cashbox R&B charts. It also reached number 14 on Billboard's Best Selling Soul Singles chart. On the main Hot 100 chart, it reached number 49.

Thelma Houston covered the song on her 1972 album. The song also became popular in England's Northern Soul club scene. In the 1980s, an English band called Yeah Yeah Noh made a song with the same name.

Even though "Stealing in the Name of the Lord" questioned some church practices, another of Paul's songs, "God Can," has been recorded by famous gospel groups. These include the Staple Singers, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, and Dorothy Norwood. Mavis Staples also sang Paul's songs "We Got Love" and "I've Been to the Well Before" on her 1979 solo album.

Music in the 1970s and 1980s

After Paul Kelly's big hit, Happy Tiger Records quickly released an album and three more songs. But the record company had money problems and closed down in 1971. Paul then signed with Warner Bros. Records. They re-released his Happy Tiger album in 1972. They called it Dirt, named after his song "(He Ain't Nothin' But) Dirt." Paul's third song with Warner Bros., "Don't Burn Me" (1972), was also a small hit. An album with the same name followed.

In 1974, his song "Hooked, Hogtied & Collared" became his second biggest hit that he recorded himself. This song also inspired an album with the same name.

As disco music became popular, Warner Bros. Records wanted Paul to work with different producers. Paul recorded with Gene Page, but the music was never released. These events led to disagreements between Paul and his record company. Their working relationship ended. After one more song for Epic Records, Paul decided to focus on writing and producing songs for other artists. He stopped performing live after 1977.

Around this time, Paul Kelly wrote "Personally." He gave this song to Jackie Moore. While it wasn't a huge hit for her, Karla Bonoff recorded it in 1982. Her version became a top 20 pop hit. Paul Kelly later recorded "Personally" himself on his 1993 album, Gonna Stick and Stay.

In 1983, Paul Kelly started his own record label called Laurence Records. He used the name "Laurence Dunbar" for it. The label had a small hit in 1984-1985 with "Bring It on Home to Me." Carolyn Dennis sang it, and Paul wrote and produced it. He closed the label in 1991.

In the late 1980s, Paul Kelly and his family moved from Brooklyn to Ruby, South Carolina. Paul continued to send his demo songs to record labels.

Paul Kelly's Return to Recording

Paul Kelly recorded an album called Gonna Stick and Stay in New Orleans in 1992.

In 1994, he had heart failure, and another in 1995. He also had a stroke. These health problems affected his singing voice. They also led Paul to become a vegetarian.

Warner Bros. Records released a CD in 1996 called The Best of Paul Kelly. It was part of their Warner Archives series.

Paul Kelly recorded the 1998 album Let's Celebrate Life in South Carolina. He released it on Ripete Records. This album included a new version of "Stealing in the Name of the Lord."

In late 2011, Paul Kelly released an album titled 1984. This album had songs he recorded in that year but had not released before.