Wells Kelly April 7

I think the best way to start is by saying Wells, was a very gifted and multi talented musician who brought a lot to Orleans. Of course he's known best for being Orleans drummer, but what you may not know is that he was also a very talented keyboard player, and a gifted songwriter with a a wonderful voice. His music had a wide range of style that could be very picturesque like "Mountain" or "Sunset", or a bit whimsical like "Siam Sam" or "The Bum," but what all is songs had in common was great melody and lyrics.

Wells, music career started prior to 1968 although I'm not sure of the year. According to one resource one of his earlier bands was Thunderfrog. I believe he first met John Hall prior to 1969 and he would later play on Johns' first solo album "Action" released in 1970. Anyways, back to 1969 Wells joined the first incarnation of King Harvest. They would have a hit a few years later in 1973 with the song "Dancing In The Moonlight". A song written by Wells' brother Sherman Kelly and first recorded by Boffalongo, a group Larry was part of at the time. In an interview with Larry, it was Approximately 1969 when Wells and Larry met for the first time at a jam session that also included none other than John Hall. This would mark the first occasion that Wells, Larry, and John played together.

In 1970 Larry's band Boffalongo released their second album "Beyond Your Head" which included Shermans' song "Dancing In The Moonlight". The song was recorded with Sherman on vocals and piano, Larry on lead guitar, and Wells is credited as playing the Timbalis (which is a Latin percussion instrument). Still a member of King Harvest Wells left that band in 1970 and joined Boffalongo where he would remain thru most of 1971, until he was asked by John Hall to move to Woodstock in forming a band. Wells accepted his offer and left Boffalongo and joined John in December 1971. According to the liner notes of "Dance With Me: The Best Of Orleans," originally Wells was to play keyboards, while the drummer and bass player ended up being only temporary members that soon left the band in 1972. This prompted Wells to contact former band mate Larry Hoppen to join them. He accepted the invitation and for awhile they would play as a trio often switching instruments during the show. Eventually they decided to add a fourth element to the band, none other than Larry's younger brother Lance who would become their permanent bass player, and this was the birth of Orleans, a name suggested by Wells.

Wells history for the next few years is fairly well documented. Orleans would release an album every year from 1973 thru 1976 with Wells contributing one song per album with the exception of the 1975 release "Let There Be Music." In 1976 the band would release their "Waking and Dreaming," album with new band mate drummer Jerry Marotta who joined to allow Wells more time to play the keyboards. This would also be the bands first lineup change. The album contained the Wells Kelly song "The Bum," as well as, the song "Siam Sam" which would only appear as a b side of one of the singles released from the album. As 1976 drew to a close the band had 2 successful albums both of which had top ten hit songs, and like a lot of successful bands tensions began to mount within over various issues. One issue being that both Wells and Larry wanted more of their songs on future albums. The growing tensions prompted John Hall to leave the band In 1977 to pursue a solo career, and soon afterwards came the departure of Jerry Marotta which reduced the band to a trio. To the best of my knowledge at this point Orleans went on a temporary hiatus. From a 2007 Glory-Daze interview with Larry Hoppen he recounted from 1977 thru 1978 Wells worked with The Beach Boys, however I'm not sure in what capacity. In 1978/79 Orleans regrouped with Larry, Lance, Wells and two new members Bob Leinbach and R.A. Martin, and released the "Forever," album in 1979 on Infinity Records. Wells did contribute the song "Isn't It Easy," however it was sung by Bob Leinbach. The album went on to be a success with the hit song, "Love Takes Time" and by all accounts this should've propelled Orleans onto bigger and better things, however this wasn't to happen. Bad business decisions on the part of Infinity Records forced the company into bankruptcy, and Orleans along with several other artists were carried over to MCA Records, the parent company of Infinity. The band again reduced back to the trio of Larry, Lance and Wells released their self-titled album in 1980 on MCA Records, fulfilling their contractual obligation to MCA.. This album would be interesting in many ways as It featured more songs and vocals by Wells and Larry than any other Orleans album at the time, it was the first time Lance contributed a song (2 to be exact) and sang lead on both, and all former members of Orleans appeared on the album. Unfortunately, the album received barely any promotion from MCA and after its release the band was yet again without a record company. It was shortly after this Wells chose to leave band. I'm not sure why he left, I can only speculate that it had to do with the uncertain future of Orleans at the time.

I can't account for Wells from the time he left Orleans in 1980 thru 1981, however in 1982 he began working with Clarence Clemons, famous for his time with Bruce Springteens E-Street band. In 1983 he appeared on Clemons album "Rescue." This would lead to a tour with Clemons for the rest of 1983 and into 1984. Later In 1984 Wells would join Meatloaf in England to work on his "Bad Attitude," album which would lead to the tour of the same name. It was during this tour with Meatloaf when on October 28, 1984 Wells was found deceased due to asphyxiation.

Contributions to Orleans.

Mountain,
From the 1973 "Orleans" LP.
Wells - Lead vocals, drums and acoustic piano.

Sunset,
From the 1974 "Orleans II" LP.
Wells - Lead vocals, piano, organ
(it's John Hall on Drums)

The Bum,
From the 1976 "Waking and Dreaming" LP.
Wells- Lead vocals, lead guitar, and drums.

Siam Sam,
B-side single off the Waking and Dreaming LP.
Wells - Lead vocal.

Isn't It Easy,
(written by Wells Kelly & Sherman Kelly)
From the 1979 "Forever" LP.
Wells - Electric Piano.
(Bob Leinbach is on Lead Vocal)

Bustin' Loose,
(written by Wells Kelly & Sherman Kelly)
From the 1980 "Orleans" LP.
Wells - Lead vocal, piano.

Dukie's Tune,
(instrumental)
From the 1980 "Orleans" LP.
Wells - Piano, percussion.

Oughta Daughta (Think I Will)
(written by Wells Kelly & Sherman Kelly)
From the 1980 "Orleans" LP.
Wells - Lead vocal, rhodes piano

All songs written by Wells Kelly except where noted.

Although Wells will always be remembered best as a drummer, I think his fondness and desire to play the keyboards is evident in his songs.