Jimmy James - & The Vagabonds

Jimmy James
& The Vagabonds
It was at the age of 16 that Jimmy James started his musical career.
His first successful single 'Bewildered and Blue' which was followed by 'Come to Me Softly' and that too became a hit - and both were written by Jimmy himself - the later 'Come Softly to me' has become his signature song.

It was 1964 and Jimmy was asked to join as lead singer with one of Jamaica's leading bands 'The Vagabonds' after a few rehearsals Jimmy and the band left Jamaica for a six month tour of the UK. 'Jimmy James and The Vagabonds' became so popular with the English audience that they decided to extend the tour and ultimately ended up being residents of the UK.

1965 - 1968 the band headlined at The famous Marquee club in Wardour Street, London. It was while playing here that they were invited to Hungary to perform a series of concerts, many tours followed - Tunisia, Germany, Greece, France, Belgium, Holland and others.
In 1966 The Vagabonds recorded the album, 'The New Religion', which really put them on the music map making them the most sought after working band in the UK. It was Jimmy's recording of Neil Diamond's 'Red, Red Wine' in 1969, taken off the bands second album which gave them their first commercial hit record.

In 1970 after signing with the Subbudu Music Corporation their biggest hits followed - 'Now is The Time' - 'A Man Like Me and the timeless floor filling classic 'I'll Go Where The Music Takes Me'.

In 1989/1990 the Club Mirror Awards voted Jimmy Best Singer/Entertainer, he
has also performed at the world famous Cavern Club in Liverpool.
He was the premier entertainer for the British troops during the UK's involvement in the Falklands and the Bosnian wars, something he is rather proud of!
He continues to play to full houses on the cabaret circuit across England and has appeared for Warner's Leisure hotels and Butlins festivals. Most recently, he is in demand as a Headliner on luxury Cruise Liners across the world.
Jimmy currently tours with Clem Curtis (The Foundations) and Earnestine Pearce (The Flirtations) in a 'Soul Explosion' show.

We'll let Jimmy himself have the last word! When asked how he keeps going with such energy and enthusiasm Jimmy's reply was.'Music is my life. I still get that feeling, that buzz when I perform. Whether on stage or in the studio, my goal is always to give 100%. When I don't get that buzz anymore, that's when I'll say goodbye'.