Ariola Recods: Time Will Bring You Love

Although they have never had a hit record since their inception in the late 1960s, the Sons of Champlin have been a mainstay in the music business, but never received the recognition that they deserved. Having recorded for a number of labels including Capitol, Columbia, Ariola America, and Arista, the band virtually remains unknown to this day.

Ariola America label blank during the Sons of Champlin years

The band is fronted by Bill Champlin, who is additionally known for his session work, songwriting, and as member of Chicago from 1981 to 2009. One of his greatest accomplishments was winning a pair of Grammy awards for writing “After the Love has Gone” with David Foster and Jay Graydon for Earth, Wind, and Fire and “Turn Your Love Around” with Jay Graydon and Steve Lukather for George Benson.

In addition, Champlin has performed as a session musician on numerous well known albums and singles. He sings and plays keyboards and guitar. The Sons of Champlin were together from 1968 to 1970 and then from 1971 to 1981 when Champlin joined Chicago. Although they participated in a reunion show in 1985, the band did not reform until 1997 and Bill divided his time between the Sons of Champlin and Chicago until leaving Chicago in 2009.

The ballad, “Time will Bring you Love,” comes from the band’s third and final album with Ariola America – the 1978 release of “Loving is Why.” The album cut was cowritten by Champlin and Pat Craig. I got interested in Champlin’s music when I discovered a couple of singles in the discard bin at a radio station for which I worked in the early 1980s.

In tracing our family trees, I discovered that he and I are seventh cousins – this means we share a pair of sixth great-grandparents: William Champlin and Sarah Thompson. My great grandmother was born as Amy Alice Champlin. While that and $5.00 might get me a brand name coffee from a barista, it remains interesting that I can make a family connection to someone I am featuring in this blog.