Len Boone (a.k.a. Leonard Boone C Coleman II) is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was a singer/songwriter for Chrysalis Records and Love-Zager Productions and many of his songs charted on Billboard. While still an intern at Chrysalis, he wrote the international hit single "You Made Me Believe in Magic" (Arista Records) for the album ItâÂÂs a Game by the Scottish Pop band, the Bay City Rollers. In 1977, the song reached number 10 on the US Hot 100 in Billboard magazine and number 7 on the Cash Box Top 100 charts. In Canada, âÂÂYou Made Me Believe in Magicâ peaked at number 5, and still ranks as their 68th greatest hit of 1977. The song also charted in Germany, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. "You Made Me Believe in Magic" also won Boone a plaque from ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers).
Boone grew up in Fieldsboro, New Jersey and attended Bordentown Regional High School. He was a standout athlete for both his track and football teams and received several mentions in the local newspapers. While in high school, Boone started taking drum lessons and joined a musical group called Inturnal Revenue. He continued to perform and compose music with this band through his sophomore year in college. Inturnal Revenue found local success and recorded an original song called, âÂÂLove Theme Forâ which received air time from Len Murray, a disc jockey at WTTM radio in New Jersey. Later in college, he headed the band, Piecemeal, a four-piece musical group for which he composed and played piano and drums.
Boone attended Rutgers University and majored in political science and history. He played cornerback and defensive halfback for the Rutgers football team, the Scarlet Knights and local newspapers regularly reported his success. . In 1972 he won The George T. Cronin Trophy for most improved player. As a student he was passionate about the needs of inner city kids and pushed for Rutgers to participate in the Urban Classic Benefit game to raise money for underprivileged youth.
After college, Boone worked as a substitute teacher at Franklin High School in New Jersey and had offers to teach history. He played rugby with an alumni squad from Rutgers called "The Old Boys" and coached the newly-established Rutgers women's rugby team. However, his goal was to work in the music business.
In 1975, his musical talents caught the attention of Wes Ferrell and he was hired as an intern songwriter for the Wes Ferrell organization. One year later, he signed a contract with Chrysalis Music Inc. headed by Marv Goodman. Boone was an intern when he wrote the international hit, âÂÂYou Made Me Believe in Magicâ (Arista Records AS0256) recorded by the Bay City Rollers. During this same period, he also wrote Maxine NightingaleâÂÂs song âÂÂYou Got To Meâ (United Artists 36460)
In 1977, Boone's success turned into an exclusive recording contract with Chrysalis Records. The same year, he wrote âÂÂYouâÂÂre the Oneâ for Rory Block which peaked at No. 77 on the US Billboard dance chart. (Chrysalis 2356)
In 1978 Boone's song âÂÂLove WonâÂÂt Be Deniedâ (Chrysalis CDS-2229) spent 10 weeks on the Billboard Dance Club Song chart and peaked at number 20 on September 9, 1978.
In 1980, after four years with Chrysalis, Boone joined Love-Zager Productions as a staff writer. He teamed with songwriter Larry LaFalce for several songs. In 1980 they wrote âÂÂBaby, This Timeâ for Dee Edwards for her album Two Hearts Are Better Than One (Cotillion SD5223) and in 1981 they wrote Amii StewartâÂÂs song, âÂÂWhyâÂÂd Ya Have To Be So Sexyâ (Handshake Records and Tapes 4W9-02438)
In 1982, Boone, LaFalce, and Michael Zager wrote âÂÂLay Back in the Grooveâ for the album Show and Tell by the band Elusion Featuring Limon Wilson (Cotillion 5235). The same year, Boone and LaFalce wrote the song âÂÂEverything and Moreâ for the Italian/U.S. ensemble Change. The song was included on the album Sharing Your Love, which reached No. 66 on the US Billboard Album Chart and No. 14 on the U.S. Billboard Black Albums chart.
In 1983, Boone and LaFalce wrote the songs âÂÂThis is Your Timeâ (RFC/Atlantic 89883) and âÂÂMagical Nightâ (Atlantic/RFC Records DMD 631) for the album This is Your Time by Change. The album made it to No. 161 on the US Billboard Albums chart and No. 34 on the US Billboard Black Albums chart. Their song âÂÂThis is Your Timeâ reached No. 39 on the US dance charts and number No. 33 on the US R&B chart.
In 1995, "You Made Me Believe in Magic" was covered by Bed & Breakfast, a boy band from Hamburg, Germany (Maad Records 4509-99533-2).
In 2013, Boone released the EP Do Whatcha Feel (Fervor Records).
Boone owns Rock Your Socks Music, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In 1979, Boone's song "ThereâÂÂs No Me Without You" was featured in the Thorn EMI film The Bitch starring Joan Collins.
Boone's song "You Made Me Believe in Magic" was played on season 2, episode 7 of October Road (ABC Studios).) His song âÂÂDo Whatcha Feelâ is played in season 1, episode 6 of The Mayor (ABC); season 5, episode 20 of Haven (Syfy, Showcase); season 1, episode 5 of Red Oaks (Amazon Studios); season 1, episode 6 of Bojack Horseman (Netflix), and the independent film Love After Love (2017). His song âÂÂAnother Lonely Nightâ is played in the independent films My Friend Dahmer (2017) and Humor Me (2017). His song, âÂÂIâÂÂve Got to Have Youâ performed by Julian, is played in season 1, episode 4 of Insatiable (Netflix).