Formed in 1981 in Columbia, MO, by brothers
Dick Pruitt and
Dave Pruitt,
the Bel Airs specialize in modern blues with a dose of soul. Highlighted by
Dick Pruitt's raspy, expressive vocals and brother
Dave's slicing guitar lines and driven by former
Paladins and
James Harman Band drummer Michael Cherry, the group has developed an explosive stage show that one critic likened to watching
the Everly Brothers play the blues. The Bel Airs' debut album, Need Me a Car, was released on Blind Pig Records in 1984, followed by Dangerous Curves on Borrowed Records in 1991, HooDoo Party on Blueberry Hill Records in 1999, and
Got Love on Hightone Records in 2005. The group also backed
Johnnie Johnson,
Chuck Berry's pianist, on his first solo project, Blue Hand Johnny, which was released by Pulsar Records in 1987. ~ Steve Leggett