Chanson

Chanson was a male disco/R&B duo from the late ’70s that consisted of bassist James Jamerson Jr. (born James L. Jamerson II on August 24, 1957 in Detroit, Michigan) and guitarist David Williams (born on November 21, 1950 in Newport News, Virginia). The duo took their name from the French word for “song.”

James was the son of legendary Motown sideman James Jamerson. During the early ’70s, he became an in-demand session bassist. David began his professional music career with The Dells, but put his music career to join the Army.

After a stint with Tyrone Davis, David took a job playing with The Temptations’ road band where he and James brainstormed the idea of forming Chaison. They later began working on tracks together and gained a record deal with Ariola Records America.

In 1978, they released their self-titled debut album; it’s unknown how or if the album made the charts at all.

The lead single from the album, “Don’t Hold Back” became a hit, peaking at #11 on Billboard’s National Disco Action Top 40 chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks. It also peaked at #8 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart (staying on the chart for 20 weeks) and crossed over to the pop music charts, peaking at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Chaison’s follow-up single, “I Can Tell” missed the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at #21 on Billboard’s National Disco Action chart (staying on the chart for 12 weeks) and #72 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 5 weeks.

In 1979, the duo released their last album, “Together We Stand” which failed to make the album charts. The only single to make the charts, “Rock Don’t Stop” peaked at #67 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.

Some time after that, Chaison disbanded. In later years, James and David continued to keep themselves busy in the music business.

James appeared on albums by artists such as Janet Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Teena Marie and Philip Bailey. On March 23, 2016, he died at the age of 58 after suffering from ankylosing spondylitis for years.

David continued to work as a session guitarist for artists such as Michael Jackson, Julio Iglesias, George Benson, Stevie Nicks, Shalamar, Boz Scaggs, Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Peter Cetera and Chaka Khan. He also had two daughters: singer\actress Davida Williams and singer Dana Williams. On March 9, 2009, he died from cardiac arrest in Hampton, Virginia at the age of 58.

To see a video for “Don’t Hold Back”, go to:

 

To see a video for “I Can Tell,” go to:

 

To see a video for “Rock Don’t Stop,” go to: