Eric Morecambe interview with Marty Feldman, excerpted in A History of British Comedy, narrated by David Mitchell, BBC2 , 2013) James was posted to No. 9 Squadron RAF at RAF Honington in April 1940 after completing his flying training. [2] He was a second pilot of a Wellington bomber when he was shot down over the Netherlands on 5 June 1940 and he was then taken prisoner.

a b "Jimmy James Biography". Answers. 13 June 2010. Archived from the original on 1 November 2009 . Retrieved 26 October 2015. He had that thing that broke all barriers with an audience. He was loved by the pros – professionals – and loved by the audience. Now Jimmy had this fantastic gift, that he was liked and loved – this is an important word – was loved – by both. One of the few comedians that all the comics used to stand on the side and watch. One of the greats. [9]In 1952, James starred on BBC radio in, firstly, the comedy series Don't Spare the Horses [6] [14] [15] Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (Firsted.). Guinness Publishing. p.140/1. ISBN 0-85112-733-9. James regularly performed around the UK with former Foundations frontman, Clem Curtis. [ citation needed] The pair, along with Flirtations vocalist Earnestine Pearce toured with 'The Soul Explosion'. In April 2007, James performed at the Classic Gold Weekender along with Marmalade, Love Affair and Showaddywaddy. [10] In 2013, they toured with James' early hero, Ben E. King. [4] He was born as James Casey on 20 May 1892, the eldest of four sons of Jeremiah Casey, an iron puddler or steelmaker, [2] [6]

James was born in India, the son of a tea-planter, Herbert Mark James (son of Canon Mark James) and his wife Elizabeth Isabella Loosemore. James was educated at The King’s School, Canterbury. Returning to London following his mother’s death, James and his father started a tea importing business that suffered from the 1930s economic downturn and ultimately failed. Soon after, his father died of pneumonia which left Jimmy alone. Recalling that he had relatives in the United States, he worked his passage on a coal ship across the Atlantic, often acting as pilot due to the drunken nature of the crew. Upon arrival, he soon realised that his relatives were also suffering due to the Great Depression that was sweeping across the US.MC: Your song “Fashionista” has taken on a life of it’s own and is a smash, being replayed all over the world! What do you remember about crafting the song and seeing it take off? Any plans for more original music? JIMMY JAMES & THE VAGABONDS - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 25 May 2021. James grew up and began performing in Kingston, Jamaica, where he recorded as a solo artist with producers Coxsone Dodd, Clancy Eccles, and Lyndon Pottinger. His most successful release was an early version of "Come to Me Softly", which found local success and persuaded James to give up a job with the Inland Revenue for a music career. [4] [5] Lost UK TV Shows". Lost Shows.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011 . Retrieved 24 January 2009.

as well as making appearances in many TV programmes including the Billy Cotton Band Show, Northern Showground (1956), Showtime (1959–61), Comedy Bandbox (1962–63) and Saturday Bandbox (1962). [19] James's main sketches [ edit ] Campbell, Howard (29 June 2012). "Phil Chen, bass extraordinaire". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012 . Retrieved 14 April 2022. After the war, he married Madge who was a nurse, who he met in an Officers Club at Vlotho in Germany. Their honeymoon was a remarkable journey as they drove to the far tip of Norway in a former German Army VW Beetle. James regularly performs around the UK with former Foundations frontman, Clem Curtis. The pair, along with Flirtations vocalist Earnestine Pearce have toured with 'The Soul Explosion'. In April 2007, James performed at the 'Classic Gold Weekender' along with Marmalade, Love Affair and Showaddywaddy. In 2013, they toured with James' early hero, Ben E. King.Manchester Celebrities, Television, Film, Media & Broadcasting". Manchester UK. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008 . Retrieved 24 January 2009. William Ash; Brendan Foley (2005). Under the Wire: The Wartime Memoir of a Spitfire Pilot, Legendary Escape Artist and 'cooler King' . Bantam. ISBN 978-0-593-05408-6. Jimmy James and the Vagabonds at 2007 Classic Gold April Weekender - Vauxhall Holiday Park". Archived from the original on 24 March 2009. In James's first film for Mancunian Films in 1950, he starred with Norman Evans in Over the Garden Wall with Evans playing the role of his wife. [12] His second film was Those People Next Door where he and Eli reprise James's drunk routine.