- Slim Jim Phantom
Infobox musical artist
Name = Slim Jim Phantom (b. James McDonnell)
Img_capt = Slim Jim Phantom - Australia & New Zealand Tour 2006
Landscape = Yes
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1961|03|20
Died =
Origin =
Instrument = drums, Vocal
Genre =Rockabilly ,
Occupation =Drummer ,Musician ,Songwriter
Years_active = 1979–present
Spouse =Britt Ekland (1984–92)
Label =Slim Jim Phantom (b. James McDonnell, 20 March 1961) is the drummer for the
Stray Cats . Alongside band matesBrian Setzer andLee Rocker , he spearheaded the neo-rockabilly movement of the early 80s.Born in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City,and raised in Massapequa, Jim grew up listening to his parents’ jazz records and by the age of ten took up the drums. “To be honest I think the drums chose me, I can’t remember ever wanting to do anything else.” remembers Phantom. Immersing himself in the art of drumming and the world of music, Jim took lessons with Mousie Alexander (who played with
Benny Goodman ) which included the study of jazz and working through books by Jim Chapin and Ted Reed.By the late 70s Jim was playing in bands with school friend and bassist Lee Rocker and they soon joined forces with guitarist Brian Setzer. During downtime from the
Stray Cats , Jim played a part in many successful groups notably “Phantom, Rocker and Slick” featuring guitarist Earl Slick which produced two popular albums and “The Swing Cats” featuring guitar ace Danny B Harvey. Jim also enjoyed a stint playing withJerry Lee Lewis .Slim Jim often performed with The Stray Cats using only a
snare drum and ahi-hat cymbal on stage, rather than a full kit.Most recently Jim has been involved with three main projects; his ownroots-rock trio, “Dead Men Walking” with
Kirk Brandon , Mike Peters andCaptain Sensible and “The Head Cat ” starringLemmy and Danny B. Harvey.He was married to the actress
Britt Ekland from 1984 to 1992 and has a son, T.J. (b. 1988) with her.External links
* [http://www.SlimJimPhantom.com OFFICIAL Slim Jim Phantom web site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/TheCatClub Official Cat Club site]
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