Jimmy London

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jimmy London


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Trevor Shaw
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Born = birth date|1949|11|30|mf=y
Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica
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Instrument = Vocals
Voice_type =
Genre = Reggae
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = late 1960s – present
Label = Impact, Trojan, Burning Sounds
Associated_acts = The Inspirations, The Untouchables
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Jimmy London (b. Trevor Shaw, 30 November 1949, Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica) is a reggae singer who first recorded in the late 1960s, and achieved chart success both in Jamaica and the United Kingdom in the early and mid-1970s.cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae |year= 1998 |publisher=Virgin Books |isbn=0-7535-0242-9 ] cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |title=Reggae & Caribbean Music |year= 2002 |publisher=Backbeat Books |isbn=0-87930-655-6 ] Katz, David (2000) "People Funny Boy - The Genius of Lee 'Scratch' Perry", Payback Press, ISBN 0 86241 854 2]

Biography

The Inspirations

London was a member of vocal duo The Inspirations, along with Ransford White (later known as Billy Dyce). White's brother Doraney was a member of The Techniques, and the duo hung out at the Techniques rehearsal premises on King Street, becoming friendly with Roy Shirley, who helped them to get started in the music business. They recorded their debut single "I Need Money" for producer Sir JJ at Linden Pottinger's studio, but when it failed to make much impact, they moved on to work with Lee "Scratch" Perry, recording "Tighten Up" (twice, it was originally recorded at WIRL, but re-voiced at Studio One). They released a further song for Perry, "You Know What I Mean", but dissatisfied with the attention they received from Perry, moved on to Joe Gibbs. With Gibbs, they recorded tracks such as "Take Back Your Duck", "La La", and "The Train is Coming".

olo

He was also a member of The Untouchables. His biggest successes, however, would come in the early 1970s, when he teamed up with the Impact All Stars at the recently built Randy's studio to record tracks such as a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters", and "A Little Love", which were both big hits in Jamaica and the UK (London was the first artist to record at the studio). [http://www.reggae-vibes.com/news010204.htm Reggae Vibes news, January 2004] ] Both of these appeared on London's debut album, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" in 1972. Further hits followed with the likes of "Rock and Roll Lullaby", "No Letter Today", "Together", "Jim Say Hello", and "Don't Keep The Kids". In 1975, London toured the UK, with further singles following in the years that followed, including hits on the UK reggae chart with "Having a Party" and "In My Heart" in 1978, [ [http://www.dancecrasher.co.uk/chartsblackmusic5.html UK reggae charts 1978] ] [ [http://www.xs4all.nl/~tapirs/1978.htm Reggae Charts 1978] ] with futher albums released in the late 1970s and one in 1980. London continued to record through the 1980s and 1990s, including tracks for Phillip Fraser's "Razor Sounds" label, and continued to perform well into the 2000s.Walters, Basil (2002) " [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20020418t190000-0500_24288_obs_phillip_fraser_s__razor_sound__getting_sharper.asp Phillip Fraser's 'razor sound' getting sharper] ", Jamaica Observer, April 19, 2002] Cooke, Mel (2004) " [http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20041004/ent/ent1.html VINTAGE SHOWCASE BUILDS TO UNSATISFACTORY END] ", Jamaica Gleaner, October 4, 2004] [" [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20040930t200000-0500_66881_obs_stellar_line_up_for_vintage_showcase_at_mas_camp.asp Stellar line-up for Vintage Showcase at Mas Camp] ", Jamaica Observer, October 1, 2004]

His debut album, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" was reissued in 2004 with bonus tracks as "A Little Love", the track "A Little Love" also being chosen to promote London as part of Mayor Ken Livingstone’s "Totally London" campaign.

Albums

*"Bridge Over Troubled Waters" (1972) Trojan
*"Jimmy In London" (1976) Jama
*"Welcome To My World" (1978) Burning Sounds
*"Children Crying In The Ghetto" (1979) Rootsman/(1980) GC
*"It Ain't Easy Living In The Ghetto" (1980) Burning Sounds
*"Hold On" (1996) Lagoon (compilation)
*"The Jimmy London Collection - 18 Magnificent Hits" Beta (compilation)
*"A Little Love" (2004) Impact (expanded edition of "Bridge Over Troubled Waters")

References

External links

* [http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/467 Jimmy London at Roots Archives]