Jimmy james biography
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Jimmy James (singer)
Jamaican-British soul singer (1940–2024)
For other uses, see Jimmy James.
Musical artist
Michael "Jimmy" James (13 September 1940 – 14 May 2024) was a Jamaican-British soul singer,[2] known for songs like "Come to Me Softly", "Now Is the Time" and "I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me". Based in Britain, he performed as the lead singer of Jimmy James and the Vagabonds from the mid-1960s.[2]
Life and career
[edit]Michael James was born in Brown's Town, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica on 13 September 1940.[3][2] He grew up and began performing in Kingston, Jamaica, where he recorded as a solo artist with producers Coxsone Dodd, Clancy Eccles, and Lyndon Pottinger. His most successful release was an early version of "Come to Me Softly", which found local success and persuaded James to give up a job with the Inland Revenue for a music career.[4][5]
The Vagabonds were originally formed in 1960. Jam
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Jimmy James impersonation of Marilyn Monroe (1983-97) propelled him into the national and international spotlight. The astounding visual and vocal re-creation of Marilyn was a fleeting moment in time that he finds, for himself, impossible to ever duplicate igen. Although he retired the Marilyn part of his act, James is still considered the best in the world at what he did.
As a true artist, he was determined to evolve and redesign his act to focus on his extraordinary vocal prowess and uncanny gift for mimicry. He electrifies audiences with his live singing impressions of Cher, Elvis, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Nicks, Adele, Lana sektion Rey, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Bette Davis, Eartha Kitt, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday and more.
In addition to all this talent, he fryst vatten an accomplished singer-songwriter and recording artist. His global hit “FASHIONISTA" (from the album JAMESTOWN) climbed to the top of the BILLBOARD Dance Charts. The p
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Jimmy James & The Vagabonds was a Jamaican rhythm 'n' blues band formed in 1964 when singer Jimmy James (who already had two hits in Jamaica) collaborated with The Vagabonds. They released their best known studio album, The New Religion, in 1966.
James teamed up with The Vagabonds under Canadian band manager Roger Smith and, in April 1964, they relocated to the UK. Ska-Time (Decca Records) was recorded as Jamaica's Own Vagabonds within two weeks of their arrival, and is one of the first examples of Jamaican ska music to be recorded in the UK (it was reissued as Skatime in 1970 on Decca's Eclipse label). After meeting manager Peter Meaden in 1965, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds supported The Who and Rod Stewart( who was with his group the Steampacket) at the Marquee Club in London. The band played the Shanklin Pier ballroom on the Isle of Wight in June 1965 and returned for two further sold-out concerts that summer. That same year they played the Richmond Nat