Jim was born and raised in Glasgow, but left, aged 16, with his first band Gully Foyle, and headed to London. Having served an apprenticeship with the legendary Alexis Korner Blues Band in the 70s Jim started the 1980s by forming Phd with keyboard player Tony Hymas and drummer Simon Phillips. They achieved massive success in 1983 with "I Won't Let You Down" which charted at number 1 across Europe and beyond. This was followed by the single "I Didn't Know" featuring Jeff Beck, which gave them band another huge European hit. Eager to get out of the studio and to play live again Jim went solo and in 1984 enjoyed a UK no1 with his debut single "I Should Have Known Better". Jim followed this up by writing and recording "Hi Ho Silver" for the TV series Boon, starring Michael Elphick. The song was Jims second top 5 single and established him as one of the most distinct and soulful singers in the business.
Since then Jim has continued to write and record, and in late 2000 he formed "The Worlds Smallest Soul Band" with virtuoso Saxophonist Snake Davis. (famous for his work with Ray Charles and M-People among others.) The two gig reguarly around Britain, playing Jim's hits, and a mix of songs from songwriters as varied as Ray Charles and Holland Dozier and Holland.
I have just uploaded a wee tune that is totally different from my usual MySpace efforts, it’s called ‘Into the Battle’. The arrangement is meant to depict the ‘Scottish Clansmen’ walking, running then charging into battle.
Jim your still my number one. I was on a popular Irish radio show, doing a live session and told the whole of Ireland that you are my biggest influence and you are who I listen to :o)
YOuve not been down granded on my top friends, it just keeps muddling itself up on its own, and it wont go in the order I want it. Im sure no one will loose sleep over that fact though! ha
Im off on some travels tonight.
Wrote a new song, it is on my page, preacher man. I wrote it with a friend of mine actually from Carmunnock. HOpe your well -
Hi Jim, it's a long time ago since we did our last show! Hope you're doin' well my dear! I'll be in London soon! Maybe I'll come by and see you. I'll let you know! All the best! Günter EARTH-MUSIC Germany
Thanks for the add i was looking thru youtube and seen your hit song, (i should have known better) it brought back memories so i checked to see if you were here would, be good to see you play sometime cheers for accepting my friendship take care.
SO hows that darn moon treating "you" this evening then?
I am off to London to record with Melvin on Monday for a few days. A brilliant engineer.. maybe you know him..really looking forward to the whole process and of coarse the finished article! ALso, a track of mine is apparanly going to be played on teh Jules Holland Radio 2 show soon! Believe it when I hear it! :o)
I really hope your well - and I wish I could catch one of your gigs some time
Over 5000 friends on MySpace and I didn't get any Valentines Cards!!! So I just sat and wrote that new song 'Only Dreaming', then went to the studio and recorded it. Gives you an idea the kind of mood I was in that day.
Hi, I've lived abroad for years now, and have only just discovered I Should Have Known Better - it's obviously timeless. Please let me know what you think of Early Days, the lyrics of which are under my blog 'The Lyrics' on my Myspace. There is some beautiful music to go with it. Have a listen to Words Can Wait too...
Hi Jim how are you? I hope you are gonna tour London this year so I can take my youngest daughter Kayleigh 2 see you. My eldest took me 2 see Linkin Park at the 02 Arena they were brilliant It just goes 2 show that we are never too old 2 see the newer bands. Take care and have a great weekend Lorrain and family xx
Hi Jim, Thank you for adding me to your friends. I have always loved your music and your song 'I Should Have Known Better', always brings back memories of happier times and a special Christmas when my children were young. Thanks again mate. Peter
