Al James (bassist)

Al James
Background information
Birth name	Geoffrey Edwin Ransome Betts
Born	13 January 1946 Billesdon, UK
Died	16 November 2018(2018-11-16) (aged 72) Kettering General Hospital, UK
Instrument(s)	Vocals, bass
Formerly of	Showaddywaddy

Geoffrey Edwin Ransome Betts,^[1] known as Al James, was a British bassist in the British rock and roll revival band Showaddywaddy.

James, who was in the band The Golden Hammers, met local band Choise and in 1973 became Showaddywaddy. Geoffrey Betts chose the nick name Al James, and he was a backing singer and part time bassist. He also sang lead vocals on a few of their songs.

James retired in December 2008, and his health began to worsen. He suffered from several bouts of cancer which weakened his body, and in October 2018 suffered injuries after falling down a flight of stairs in his home. Less than a month later, James died in Kettering General Hospital, aged 72.