E. Mark Windle 12 June 2025.
James Bates of North Carolina and lead singer of The Spontanes, has died after a period of illness on 6th June 2025. Bates was most closely associated with the beach music group The Spontanes, a popular Gastonia group that initially ran from 1960 to 1968, but which has continued in various other guises in subsequent years.
James Edward Bates was born February 11, 1942 in Gaffney, South Carolina. His love for soul music and entertainment led to a long tenure with The Spontanes, including stage appearances at numerous Spartanburg, Charlotte, and Greensboro venues and at the University of Georgia campuses. As well as live performances, The Spontanes went on to record for the Eclipse, Beaver and Deck labels throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Their first outing, “Share My Name”, was written by James Bates and recorded in 1965 with Bates also taking lead vocals. The song was released as a 45rpm single on the Casino label. It was also included on the mid-1960s LP “The Spontanes Play Solid Soul”, released by Hit Records (an imprint of the Hit Attractions booking agency). Bates provided most of the vocals on the album, alongside Ronnie Owenby.
The Spontanes second 45rpm single, “Where Did I Go Wrong”, was written by Bates while he was in his twenties. Again he provided lead vocals, and the song was picked up the major label United Artists in the late 1960s. Bates stayed with this version of the band until 1969 until a temporary move to The Rivieras, a Charlotte band who were busy performing at frat party and high school bookings throughout North Carolina.
In later decades, Bates settled in the Gastonia-Dallas area of North Carolina, where he pursued his love of golf, though still continued to perform music. A 2011 reunion brought together old band mates, and a DVD recording was made in Gaston County of the “Original Spontanes” and other local R&B bands from the 1960s. James Bates was inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame in the same year.
He is survived by his three children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and was interred at the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Cemetery.
(Copyright 2025) E. Mark Windle is an independent freelance writer and biographer. He has also worked as a senior writer with Story Terrace (London, UK), and for Sheridan Hill / Real Life Stories LLC (North Carolina, USA). For more information on writing services or to discuss potential commissions reach out to Mark at https://windlefreelance.com/