B. J. Arnau
Encyclopedia
B. J. Arnau is an American-born female singer and actor active in the UK and the US from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. She is also known as Brenda Arnau.
(1973). She performed the title track (composed by Paul and Linda McCartney). The producer, Harry Saltzman
, requested a black soul singer for the opening credits but Arnau’s appearance was a compromise. The soundtrack’s composer George Martin indicated that “McCartney would only allow the song to be used in the movie if [his group] Wings were able to perform the song in the opening credits...”. In a review of the soundtrack, Eder cites Arnau’s performance as “far more interesting [than] any of the instrumental material...”.
Another black female singer, Shirley Bassey
, was already synonymous with Bond themes. Arnau went on to perform Bassey’s hit "Big Spender" on the 1975 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show (following Bassey's 1971 appearance). Arnau's profile was further confounded by changes of moniker between B. J. and Brenda. She had previously contributed to the soundtrack of Finian’s Rainbow (1968) for which she acted in an un-credited role. Live and Let Die strengthened a demand on TV; acting and singing on The Benny Hill Show, and in guest spots on The John Denver Show and Frost’s Weekly.
Arnau’s James Bond appearance led to her signing a three-year record deal with RCA
in London, and securing a cabaret season at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas. An LP of cover-versions was released the same year. It was a serious effort drawing on her soul roots, backed by a variety of artists including Francis Monkman of Curved Air; Albert Lee of Head, Hands and Feet; Herbie Flowers
and Rosetta Hightower
. Her single recordings for various labels dating from 1968 cumulated with the release of the self-penned double-A side Electra Flash / Dance Electra Flash on Pye in 1980. Electra’s disco influence was a departure from earlier material on UA
and Polydor. Arnau then faded from public view and information is now scarce.
1969 "Yesterday I Heard the Rain" (UA)
1971 "Children Outside" (Philips)
1971 "I Want To Go Back There Again" (Mojo/Polydor)
1972 "The Big Hurt" (Polydor)
1973 "Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me" (RCA)
1973 "Live and Let Die" (RCA)
1973 "Jubilation" (RCA)
1974 "Step in the Right Direction" (Bell)
1980 AA: "Electra Flash" / "Dance Electra Flash" (Pye)
1973 "Live and Let Die Soundtrack" (UA)
1973 "B. J. Arnau" (RCA)
Biography
Arnau is best remembered as the cabaret act in the James Bond film Live and Let DieLive and Let Die (film)
Live and Let Die is the eighth spy film in the James Bond series, and the first to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman...
(1973). She performed the title track (composed by Paul and Linda McCartney). The producer, Harry Saltzman
Harry Saltzman
Harry Saltzman was a Canadian theatre and film producer best known for his mega-gamble which resulted in his co-producing the James Bond film series with Albert R...
, requested a black soul singer for the opening credits but Arnau’s appearance was a compromise. The soundtrack’s composer George Martin indicated that “McCartney would only allow the song to be used in the movie if [his group] Wings were able to perform the song in the opening credits...”. In a review of the soundtrack, Eder cites Arnau’s performance as “far more interesting [than] any of the instrumental material...”.
Another black female singer, Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
, was already synonymous with Bond themes. Arnau went on to perform Bassey’s hit "Big Spender" on the 1975 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show (following Bassey's 1971 appearance). Arnau's profile was further confounded by changes of moniker between B. J. and Brenda. She had previously contributed to the soundtrack of Finian’s Rainbow (1968) for which she acted in an un-credited role. Live and Let Die strengthened a demand on TV; acting and singing on The Benny Hill Show, and in guest spots on The John Denver Show and Frost’s Weekly.
Arnau’s James Bond appearance led to her signing a three-year record deal with RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
in London, and securing a cabaret season at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas. An LP of cover-versions was released the same year. It was a serious effort drawing on her soul roots, backed by a variety of artists including Francis Monkman of Curved Air; Albert Lee of Head, Hands and Feet; Herbie Flowers
Herbie Flowers
Herbie Flowers is an English musician specialising in bass guitar, double-bass and tuba. He is noted as a member of Blue Mink, T...
and Rosetta Hightower
Rosetta Hightower
Rosetta Hightower is an American singer,and the former lead singer of the 1960s girl group The Orlons....
. Her single recordings for various labels dating from 1968 cumulated with the release of the self-penned double-A side Electra Flash / Dance Electra Flash on Pye in 1980. Electra’s disco influence was a departure from earlier material on UA
United Artists Records
United Artists Records was a record label founded by Max E. Youngstein of United Artists in 1957 initially to distribute records of its movie soundtracks, though it soon branched out into recording music of a number of different genres.-History:...
and Polydor. Arnau then faded from public view and information is now scarce.
Singles
1968 "Gonna Spread Love" (UA)1969 "Yesterday I Heard the Rain" (UA)
1971 "Children Outside" (Philips)
1971 "I Want To Go Back There Again" (Mojo/Polydor)
1972 "The Big Hurt" (Polydor)
1973 "Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me" (RCA)
1973 "Live and Let Die" (RCA)
1973 "Jubilation" (RCA)
1974 "Step in the Right Direction" (Bell)
1980 AA: "Electra Flash" / "Dance Electra Flash" (Pye)
Albums
1968 "Finian's Rainbow Soundtrack" [Uncredited] (Warner Brothers)1973 "Live and Let Die Soundtrack" (UA)
1973 "B. J. Arnau" (RCA)