Jimmy James and the Blue Flames

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Jimmy James and the Blue Flames


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Alias = The Rainflowers
Origin = New York City, New York, USA
Genre = Rock, blues, rhythm and blues
Years_active = 1966
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Associated_acts = The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Influences = Bob Dylan
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members = Jimi Hendrix
Randy California
Randy Texas
Danny Palmer
Jeff Baxter

Jimmy James and the Blue Flames was an American rock band formed in 1966 by legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. The band were together for three months before Hendrix left for England to form The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

History

Hendrix, under the name Jimmy James, formed The Blue Flames (originally as The Rainflowers) in June 1966. James recruited 15-year-old guitarist Randy Wolfe, who had recently run away from his home is Los Angeles, after seeing him playing guitar in Manny's Music Store on 48th Street. Hendrix was excited when he heard Wolfe playing, and so invited him to play with him at the Cafe Wha? with him that night. At the Cafe, the guitarists spent fifteen minutes in the boiler room, where James taught Wolfe "Hey Joe", "Like a Rolling Stone", "Wild Thing", "Shotgun" and a few other songs.

The Blue Flames' bass player was someone called Randy, who was from Texas. As the second Randy in the band, Jimmy dubbed him Randy Texas, and Wolfe adopted the name Randy California, which he held until his death. The drummer was one of Texas' friends, known as Danny Palmer. [cite web |last=Roby |first=Steven |title=Tent of miracles-the unofficial Spirit homepage |publisher=Straight Ahead |date=1994 |url=http://www.bostream.nu/johanb/spirit/blfl.htm |accessdate=2008-06-15 ] Jeff Baxter (of Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers fame) was also known to play bass for The Blue Flames on a few occasions.

The Blue Flames ended up playing six nights a week at the Cafe Wha?, earning a secure spot on the bill. California recalls that "the band made about $60 a night and Jimmy split it equally four ways", though Carol Shiroky (Jimmy's girlfriend at the time) thinks differently, claiming the band used to get paid only $7 per night. The band split as Jimmy was approached by Chas Chandler, who eventually helped form The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Apparently Jimmy tried to bring California to England with him to form The Experience, but Chandler was against the idea as he believed Hendrix could be the only guitarist in the band, and California was too young anyway.

Personnel

*Jimi Hendrix (as Jimmy James) – guitar
*Randy California – guitar
*Randy Texas – bass guitar
*Danny Palmer – drums
*Jeff Baxter – bass guitar (part-time)

References