J.J. Barnes was a soul singer best known for his 1967 hit song “Baby Please Come Back Home.”
- Died: Saturday, December 10, 2022. (Who else died on December 10?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 79.
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UK Northern Soul Legend
J.J. Barnes was born in Detroit, Michigan and was signed to hometown record label Ric-Tic Records. His releases on the label did not find much success. Later, he was signed to Motown Records as a songwriter but not as a recording artist. His biggest hit single in the United States was “Baby Please Come Back Home,” released in 1967 on the Groovesville label, reaching the Billboard R&B Top Ten. In the 1970s he moved to England and became a star of the UK Northern Soul scene. His song “Chains of Love,” the B-side to “Baby Please Come Home,” was covered by garage rock band the Dirtbombs in 2001 and gained popularity. Barnes continued to record and just performed live earlier this year.
Notable Quote
“I was in the studio working on my song ‘Baby Please Come Back Home,’” he says. “Stevie Wonder walked in and said, ‘I like that, can I try it?’ I thought ‘Hey, you’re Stevie Wonder. Go ahead!’ He helped me with the changes, and I offered him a writer’s credit, but he said he didn’t really deserve it and told me to keep it. Stevie said, ‘This is going to be a big hit for you.’ It was like he prophesized it. It turned out to be the biggest hit of my career.” – 2022 interview with the Detroit Metro Times
Tributes to J.J. Barnes
Full Obituary: Detroit Free Press
