The 1970s and Onwards
In the 1970s, Vanderbilt was regularly in the studio, working as a session musician. Through his session work he met many artists with whom he would go on to collaborate including an aspiring musical arranger, producer and songwriter from India called Biddu Appaiah (also known simply as Biddu). Biddu and Vanderbilt became friends and collaborated for many years on a number of projects. In 1973, Biddu established his own production company to which he signed a number of artists, including Vanderbilt. The first commercially successful artist signed to Biddu's production company was Carl Douglas who in 1974 released his well known disco hit “Kung Fu Fighting”. Carl Douglas also recorded three songs written by Lee Vanderbilt, “I Don’t Care What the People Say” (Biddu-Vanderbilt), “Stand Up For Love” and “Never Had This Dream Before”, all three of which appeared on his “Kung Fu Fighter” Album in 1974.
In 1976, Vanderbilt introduced his friend Tina Charles to Biddu, who Biddu signed and for whom he produced a number of worldwide hits including a single released in 1976 called “I Love to Love”. The B-side of that single was a song written by Vanderbilt called “Disco Fever”. Tina Charles also recorded Vanderbilt's song “All Comes Back to You” on her 1976 Album “Dance Little Lady”. "Jimmy James and the Vagabonds" also signed to Biddu’s production company. Jimmy James recorded a number of Vanderbilt's songs including: “Disco Fever”, “Never had this Dream Before”,"Let's Have Fun", "Suspicious Love" (Biddu/Vanderbilt) and a fifth song called “If You Think that Funk is Junk Your Drunk”. Biddu also had success with his own group known as the Biddu Orchestra. The Biddu Orchestra comprised a group of session musicians with whom Biddu and Vanderbilt had worked for many years. Biddu recorded two songs with the Biddu Orchestra written by Vanderbilt, “Funky Tropical” (which appeared both on his album "Eastern Man" and which he released as a single in 1977) and “Jump for Joy”. Vanderbilt was also a backing vocalists for the Biddu Orchestra.
In 1977, Vanderbilt released his own album on the RCA Record label called Get Into What You're In. The songs on the album reflect his many musical influences, including funk numbers like "Funky Tropical" and "Show me What you Made Off"; soulful love song like "Coral Isle" and "Stand Up for Love"; and caribbeanesque number like "Sweet Ices" and "What a Way". The Album was produced by Biddu but did not achieve as much commercial success as it did critical acclaim.
In addition to releasing his own album, working with artists as a session singer and percussionist and collaborating with Biddu and the other artists signed to Biddu’s production company, in the 70s, Lee Vanderbilt performed a song, written by Oscar nominated song writer and businessman George Barrie, called "The Night Has Many Eyes", for the 1973 film “Night Watch” starring Elizabeth Taylor and Laurence Harvey. The song was released as a single in 1973 on the Brut Record label. He wrote the theme music for the UK comedy movie “Black Joy” (performed by Jimmy Helms) released in 1977 and starring Norman Beaton, Trevor Thomas and Floella Benjamin; and wrote and performed a song called “Lonely I” for the same movie. During the 70s he also sang a number of well known and award winning television commercials including the Martini Hot Air Balloon Commercial; Tia Maria's “Get it Together” commercial; and one of Lilt’s “Totally Tropical Taste” commercials.
Other artists with whom Vanderbilt has worked including, amongst others, Edwyn Collins; Elkie Brooks; Joan Armatrading; George Chandler, Jimmy Helms, Jimmy Cambers (all founding members of the successful UK group Londonbeat); Anthony Moore; Barclay James Harvest; and Bryn Haworth.
Lee Vanderbilt still lives in the United Kingdom and continues to write and collaborate with artists and friends on musical projects. He has three sons, one of whom is an attorney living in New York and two of whom are recording artists, Gary Des-Etages and Christopher "Tambu" Herbert.
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