The twins with the incredible voices …..
Alessi Brothers, Billy and Bobby Alessi are the incredible twins born on July 12, 1953 in New York. In 1970, they participated in the famous antiwar musical “Hair” and then they formed their band “Barnaby Bye” with Peppi Castro and Mike Ricciadella, Barnaby Bye released 2 albums “Room To Grow” (1973) and “”Touch” (1974) and then disbanded. Billy And Bobby soon got a deal with A&M Records in 1975 and it only took a year before their duo 1st album “Alessi”. In the summer of 1977, “Oh Lori” on the album suddenly was climbing up the UK pop chart and thus their 2nd album “All For A Reason” were welcomed not only in the United Kingdom but also other European countries. I believe I need not they were very popular here in Japan.
However US music lovers did not still care about them, which was really pity…. Their 3rd album “Driftin'” followed. And in 1979, “Words And Music”, their last album released under A&M Records, was on the street but no commercial success in US again. In those days they seemed to fight with A&M Records who demanded them to make more disco-oriented album in order to achieve more commercial success. After leaving A&M, this genius twins gave us another piece “Alessi” in 1982 on Qwest Records- Warner Bros. Records, which was found that it would be the perfect material for Quincy Jones’ new imprint, Qwest Records. Since mid 80’s, both Billy and Bobby enjoy writing the hottest jingle campaigns in the United States including the Diet-Coke theme for 14 years, Kentucky-Fried Chicken, Dr. Pepper, Sears and Seven-Up known by everyone! In 2001, we could find their names on Debbie Gibson’s album “M.Y.O.B” as proucers / songwriters / backing vocals for its title track. Please also note that they are still preparing their long awaited their own brand-new album “Hello Everyone”. In any event, we are very happy to get their A&M days albums on remastered CDs now!
Both Billy and Bobby Alessi currently enjoy the excitement and status of writing the hottest jingle campaigns in the United States. Billy has maintained the Diet-Coke theme for 14 years running and has worked with such greats as Elton John and Whitney Houston. Other current success’ are Kentucky-Fried Chicken, Dr. Pepper, Sears and Seven-Up: All household hooks known by everyone!
Bobby has also achieved great recognition in this industry by winning the National ADDY campaign for Greyhound with B.B. King and CLEO Award for Lifesavers with Lady Smith and Black Mambazo both in 1994. His current themes include, J.C. Penny and the world-wide Blockbuster Video campaign. Also, “Alessi” recently sang background vocals for Sting on a new Disney soundtrack.
The last album from “Alessi” released in 1982 on Warner Brothers Records was originally titled “Roughen It”, and for good reason. As Billy states, “We’re lovers of music and can’t help but write songs.” With that, a compilation of “rough” demos found its way to Michael Ostin at Warner Brothers who felt it would be the perfect material for Quincy Jones’ new imprint, Qwest Records. With Michael and pop star Christopher Cross at the helm, the songs would become thoroughly produced and released as the album “Long Time Friends.” Also featuring a duet with Patty Austin and Billy Alessi.
The current “Alessi” album which as of yet is untitled, has a different focus that anything approached before by this musical duo. Six songs have been completed on this self-produced, self fulfilling project. “Our goal,” explains Bobby, “is to let the music speak for itself.” The sound and timbre are described as “pure Alessi,” melodic and progressive with strong focus on vocals. Saxophone great Bob Magnuson will make an appearance as well as guitarist Jeff Southward (Hall and Oates) on the track “All My Life.” All the material is composed by both Billy and Bobby, and the album’s completion is anticipated by September of 1999. A release date will be determined upon completion, and marketing is expected to begin in Japan, the U.K., France and Australia prior to its U.S. domestic release.
Having sold over 4 million records and with a world-wide fan base of 6 million people, the Alessi brothers explain, “This kind of love makes you want to make more records.” The talents “Alessi” are like their melodies, timeless and ever expanding into our future.
Discography
Water
Think! Records Import 2018
Tracks: Top Of The World, Kiss, Life´s A Cliche, Hearing Everything, Suitcase, On The Water, Fly Away, Zombie Love, No Way Out, Let It All Out, For Fred, All I Want & Pelagias Song.
Musicians on the Water album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
Two Of Us
Eden Roc Records 2012
Tracks: Two Of Us, I See, Bad Girl, It´s Not OK, Zoubida, It´s Everywhere, Change Of Heart, Couldn´t Have Loved Her Better, A Salty Dog, The Way It Should Be, London (Remix) & Outro.
Musicians on the Two Of Us album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
Special Edition
Eden Roc Records 2011
Tracks: Do You Feel It, You Can Have It, I Was So Shure, Big Deal, Don't Hold Back, Too Long To Forget, Sad Songs, Oh Lori, Joanna, Seabird, Angelina (outtake from the 1st Alessi album) & Oh Lori (original demo).
Musicians on the Alessi album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi, Hal Blaine, John Guerin, Jeff Porcaro, Frank Rivioli, Dennis Budimir, Mike Melvoin, Ray Parker, Scott Edwards, Jim Hugart, Bone Howe, Tom Scott, Victor Feldman & Emil Richards.
Oh Lori 2010 + Other Remixes
Eden Roc Records 2010
Tracks: Oh Lori 2010, London 2o10, All For A Reason 2010, No Goodbyes 2010, Driftin 2010 & Oh Lori 2012 (Sofa Mix).
Musicians on the Oh Lori 2010 + Other Remixes album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
Our Best Of
Eden Roc Records 2010
Tracks: Oh Lori, Seabird, All For A Reason, Sad Songs, Driftin, London, Joanna, Don't Hold Back, Avalon, You Got The Way, I Was So Sure, Do You Feel It, You Can Have It Back, Forever, What A Way To Go, Tell Her Tonight, Words And Music, As Long As I Still Have You, Make It Last, Farewell & Personal Message.
Musicians on the Alessi Brothers, Our Best Of album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
All Our Life
Home Of Jazz Records 2009
Tracks: Tracks (DVD "All Our Life"): Do You Feel It, You Can Have It Back, Joanna, Sad Songs, Oh Lori, Medley Don't Hold Back/Big Deal, Seabird, Avalon, Rainbows Go On Forever, I'll Remember, Livin' With A Broken Heart, Sunrise, Forever, Soulmates, Blue Skies, What A Way To Go, All For A Reason, Quarter Of A Man, Little One & Just Like That & Oh Lori (extra). Tracks (CD "Pure Alessi"): Love Won't Let Go, I Believe, I Try, I'll Remember, If I Could, Jackie Paper, Keep On Lovin' Me, A Place In Time, One Again, Wait Till Morning, Little One, One Heartbeat At A Time, Darla Moon & Livin' With A Broken Heart (bonus track).
Musicians on the Just Like That album: Bobby Alessi, Billy Alessi, Danny Sahupala, Mike Ricciardella, Gino van Ligten, Lene te Voortwis, Ervin van Ligten, Mike Barberich, Peppy Castro, Julia Bamm, Joel Scannell, Julya Lo'ko, Mike Campi, Jon Hicks, Mike Martino & Steve Alkermis.
Just Like That
Eden Roc Records 2006
Tracks: Just Like That, Oh, Livin With A Broken Heart, Anybody, No Goodbyes, Over And Done, Hold Me Close, You Dont Know What It Feels Like, Another Last Time, Stow Away, No Gettin Around My Love & Louieville.
Musicians on the Just Like That album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi, Peppy Castro, Mike Ricciardella, Erwin Van Ligten, Beau Alessi, Darla Alessi and others.
Our Best Of
Eden Roc Records 2004
Tracks: Oh Lori, Seabird, All For A Reason, Sad Songs, Driftin, London, Joanna, Don't Hold Back, Avalon, You Got The Way, I Was So Sure, Do You Feel It, You Can Have It Back, Forever, What A Way To Go, Tell Her Tonight, Words And Music, As Long As I Still Have You, Make It Last, Farewell & Personal Message.
Musicians on the Alessi Brothers, Our Best Of album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
Hello Everyone
Eden Roc Records 2003
Tracks: All My Life, Hello Everyone, I Like Your Smile, A Little Sorry, Love's Insane, Loosin You, Forever Together, Standin Tall, Under Blue Skies, The Only One, Little One, Looking Thru Your Eyes, You're My World, 99 Reasons, and It's Your Birthday.
Musicians on the Hello Everyone album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
Best Of
A&M Records 1998
Tracks: Oh Lori, Sad Songs, Seabird, Don't Hold Back, You Can Have It Back, Joanna, Hate To Be In Love, All For A Reason, Love To Have Your Love, London, Avalon, Driftin', Just Can't Stop It, Dancing In The Halls Of Love, Hot Fun In The Summertime, Gimme Some Lovin', Go All Night, I Wish I Was Making Love, Big Deal (Live Without You) & Farewell.
Musicians on the Best Of album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
20 Grandes Excitos
A&M Records 1998
Tracks: I wish that I was making love (To You Tonight), Oh Lori, Words and Music, As long as I still have you, London, Gimme some lovin', Wait for me, Driftin', Rainbows go on forever, All for a reason, Love to have your love, Air cushion, You can crowd me, Do you feel it?, You can have it back, I was so sure, Big deal (leave without you), Too long to forget, Sad songs & Seabird.
Musicians on the 20 Grandes Excitos album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
Oh, Lori
A&M Records 1988
Tracks: Oh Lori, Joanna, Seabird, Don´t Hold Back, Avalon, London, All For A Reason, Farewell, Sad Song, Driftin, Dancing In The Halls Of Love & Gimme Some Lovin´.
Musicians on the Oh, Lori; The Best Of Alessi album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
Long Time Friends
Qwest Records 1982
Tracks: Jagged Edge, You Got The way, As Far As I'm Concerned, Rise Up, I'm Gonna tell Her Tonight, Put Away Your Love, What A Way To Go, Still In Love, How Long How Much, Forever & Long Time Friends.
Musicians on the Long Time Friends album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi, Tommy Taylor, Jeff Porcaro, Rob Meurer, Robbie Buchanan, Roscoe Beck, Neil Stubenhaus, Christopher Cross, Eric Johnson, Steve Lukather, Larry Carlton, Lenny Castro, Victor Feldman, Robbie Buchanan, Michael Omartian, Michael Boddicker, Tom Scott, Ernie Watts, Christopher Cross & Patti Austin.
Sound Capsule
Alfa Records 1979
Tracks: Go All Night, Evilman, All For A Reason, Joanna, Oh Lori, Hate To Be In Love, Sad Song, Dancing In The Halls Of Love, Driftin`, London, Avalon, Make It Last, Words And Music & Gimme Some Lovin´.
Musicians on the Alessi Portrait album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
Words And Music
A&M Records 1979
Tracks: Gimme Some lovin', Lover Boy, Words And Music, As Long As I Still Have You, Midnight Low, Evil Man, Wait For Me, I Wish That I Was Making Love & Hot Fun In The Summertime.
Musicians on the Words And Music album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi, Ed Greene, Yogi Horton, Rick Schlosser, David T. Walker, Paul Jackson, Carlos Rio, Jimmy Rippetoe, Lee Ritenour, Chuck Rainey, Raphael Goldfield, Mike Porcaro, Neil Stubenhaus, Peter Reilich, Jai Winding, Ian Underwood, Tom Scott, Tom Saviano, Ernie Watts, Chuck Findley, Oscar Brashear, Steve Madaio, Ollie Mitchell, Dike Hyde, Peppi Castro, Venetta Field & The Waters.
Alessi Portrait
Alfa Records 1978
Tracks: Driftin´, Dancing In The Halls Of Love, All For A Reason, London, Oh Lori, Sad Song, Avalon, Hate To Be In Love, Joanna & Make It Last.
Musicians on the Alessi Portrait album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi and others.
Driftin´
A&M Records 1978
Tracks are: Dancing In The Halls Of Love, Driftin', Believer, Rainbows Go On Forever, Space, You're Out Of Love, That's When She Touched Me, I Don't Wanna Lose You, Not Tonight & Just Can't Stop tou.
Musicians on the Driftin´ album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi, Ed Greene, James Divisek, Louie Shelton, Wah Wah Watson, Lee Ritenour, Dennis Belfield, David Hungate, Abraham Laboriel, Greg Mathieson, Billy Alessi, Brian Whitcomb, Greg Phillinganes, Steve Porcaro, Alan Estes, Vince Charles, Don Menza, Jim Seals, Richie Havens & Dash Crofts.
All For A Reason
A&M Records 1977
Tracks: Love To Have Your Love, All For A Reason, Farewell, Avalon, Air Cushion, London, Hate To Be In Love, You Can Crowd Me, Make It Last & Here Again.
Musicians on the All For A Reason album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi, Steve Gadd, Andy Newmark, Will Lee, Richard Tee, John Tropea, David Spinozza, David Sanborn, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Alan Rubin, George Young.
Alessi
A&M Records 1976
Tracks: Do You Feel It, You Can Have It, I Was So Shure, Big Deal, Don't Hold Back, Too Long To Forget, Sad Songs, Oh Lori, Joanna & Seabird.
Musicians on the Alessi album: Billy Alessi, Bobby Alessi, Hal Blaine, John Guerin, Jeff Porcaro, Frank Rivioli, Dennis Budimir, Mike Melvoin, Ray Parker, Scott Edwards, Jim Hugart, Bone Howe, Tom Scott, Victor Feldman & Emil Richards.