Bill LaBounty: The Smooth Voice of West Coast Pop and R&B

Bill LaBounty is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist whose sophisticated blend of pop, R&B, and West Coast soft rock has earned him a dedicated following since the late 1970s. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, he is best known for his smooth vocal delivery and his 1982 solo hit "This Night Won't Last Forever," which became a staple on adult contemporary radio.

Early career

Born in 1948, Bill LaBounty began his professional music career after moving to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s. He initially found success as a songwriter, penning material for artists like Gino Vannelli and Al Jarreau, which showcased his knack for melodic, jazz-inflected pop. His self-titled debut album was released in 1980 on Warner Bros. Records, introducing his signature sound to a wider audience.

Breakthrough

LaBounty's commercial breakthrough arrived in 1982 with the release of his second album, Bill LaBounty, on Warner Bros. The album's lead single, "This Night Won't Last Forever," climbed to number 17 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, securing significant airplay and establishing him as a solo artist. This success was solidified by the follow-up single "When the Feeling Comes Around," which also performed well on the same chart.

Key tracks

This Night Won't Last Forever — This 1982 single is LaBounty's signature song, a smooth pop-R&B ballad that defined his sound and became an adult contemporary radio classic.

When the Feeling Comes Around — Another key track from his 1982 album, it further demonstrated his talent for crafting catchy, soulful pop melodies with a West Coast sheen.

Living It Up — A later track from his 1992 album The Right Direction, it exemplifies his consistent songwriting quality and polished production style.

Look Who's Lonely Now — This song highlights LaBounty's skill as a poignant storyteller within the soft rock and R&B genres.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, LaBounty continued to release well-received albums like Rain In My Life (1987) and maintained a strong presence on the adult contemporary charts. He also sustained a parallel career as a sought-after songwriter, collaborating with artists such as Steve Wariner, for whom he co-wrote the number one country hit "You Can Dream of Me." His music evolved to incorporate more pronounced country influences, particularly evident on his 1996 album Right Here, Right Now.

Fans of Bill LaBounty's polished, melodic style also enjoy the music of Michael McDonald, who shares a similar soulful vocal approach and jazz-pop sensibility. Christopher Cross also operates in the same smooth, West Coast soft rock territory with a focus on impeccable songcraft. Hall and Oates blend R&B and pop with a comparable slickness and melodic strength. Boz Scaggs offers another point of reference with his sophisticated fusion of pop, rock, and blue-eyed soul.

Bill LaBounty's catalog remains a fixture on classic soft rock and adult contemporary FM stations, as well as on specialized online radio streams dedicated to the smoother sounds of the '80s and beyond. His songs are regularly featured in programming blocks that celebrate meticulously crafted pop and R&B from that era, ensuring his music reaches both nostalgic listeners and new audiences.

You can hear the smooth sounds of Bill LaBounty on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover his timeless hits and deep cuts across a variety of stations that specialize in classic pop and adult contemporary music.