Jim Diamond (singer)
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Jim Diamond |
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Jim Diamond (born September 28 1953, in Glasgow) is a Scottish singer-songwriter.
Career
Diamond is best known for his three Top 5 hits - "I Won't Let You Down" (1982) as the lead singer in the trio Ph.D., with Tony Hymas and Simon Phillips; his solo performance, "I Should Have Known Better". The latter song was a United Kingdom number one in 1984. And of course the theme song from Boon, "Hi Ho Silver" which reached Number 5 in the UK charts in 1986. His voice has often been used for other people's songs, especially charity songs such as "Sailing" with Rock Against Repatriation[1], "You'll Never Walk Alone" with The Crowd and "Let It Be" with Ferry Aid.
Over the past thirty years he has gone from lead singer of his own bands, to solo studio artist, to live performer and even writing for other artists.
Early years
He started his music career at the young age of 15 with his own band 'The Method'. This was discovered through a recent interview with Jim Diamond on Chatshow.net. Jim, at age 16, also fronted a Glasgow band called "The Jade"[2]. That lineup included bassist Chris Glen who went on to play with "The Sensational Alex Harvey Band". "The Jade" made at least one trip to London. playing a gig at Brunel University in 1969.
He later toured Europe with another band Gully Foyle[3]. Rare recordings of his performances with Gully Foyle were recently discovered on the Internet.
Jim would soon be discovered by Alexis Korner[4], The Godfather of British Blues. Jim spent the next couple of years as part of Korner's band. He provided additional and backing vocals on many of Korner's songs. Most of which would appear on The Lost Album. One of Korner's finest works.
In 1976 he left Korner to form Bandit. The line-up included AC/DC band member Cliff Williams. They were soon signed up by Arista Records and released their self titled début album Bandit. They failed to reach the charts due to the punk music scene at the time.
In 1979 Jim Diamond was lead vocalist for a Japanese band called BACCO. The debut album was 'Cha Cha Me', which has gone on to become an extremely rare find.
Diamond ventured to L.A. to form Slick Diamond with Earl Slick[5]. He spent some time touring and recording and even provided music for a movie soundtrack.
Big break
1982 would be Diamond's big break in to the public eye when he formed Ph.D (Phillips, Hymas and Diamond), with pianist/keyboard player Tony Hymas and drummer Simon Phillips. They were signed by WEA Records and hit the big time with the multi-million selling "I Won't Let You Down". The song went on to become a classic in its own right and is still played regularly on radio stations around the world.
Diamond contracted hepatitis and the band later decided to part ways. But Diamond's run of success was not over yet. In 1984, he decided to go solo and was signed to A&M Records. He hit the big time yet again with his #1 hit "I Should Have Known Better". He scored another hit soon after with the theme song from Boon, "Hi Ho Silver". It reached Number 5 in the charts in May of 1986. A little known fact, is that Diamond did not actually write the song especially for Boon, but he in fact wrote it in memory of his late father, who passed away the previous year.
Diamond is also known for some guest vocals on two Genesis band members solo outings including;
- "You Call This Victory" on the album Soundtracks by Tony Banks.
- "Days of Long Ago" on the album Darktown by Steve Hackett.
Recent years
In recent years, Diamond has teamed up with Sax Virtuoso, Chris "Snake" Davis, who is known for his work with Soul outfit M People as well as others. The pair were known as The Blue Shoes - The Smallest Soul Band In The World. In recent times they have been performing as 'Jim Diamond & Snake Davis'.
In 2005, Jim Diamond released his first studio recorded album in 11 years. Souled and Healed also gave Diamond a new single "When You Turn". A second single followed soon after entitled "Blue Shoes".
It was recently revealed that Diamond has reunited with Hymas and Phillips and recorded a new Ph.D album to be released in the Autumn of 2008.
Chip off the old block
Jim's son Lawrence has followed in his father's footsteps and is the bassist with UK rock group 'Official Secrets Act'. The band signed a record deal in 2008 and are showing great promise.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Double Crossed (A&M) |
| 1986 | Desire for Freedom (A&M) |
| 1988 | Jim Diamond (Teldec) |
| 1993 | Jim Diamond (Polydor) |
| 1994 | Sugarolly Days (Righteous/Total/River) |
| 2001 | The Best of Jim Diamond (Spectrum) |
| 2005 | Souled and Healed (Hypertension) |
Singles (Solo)
| Year | Title | B-Side/Bonus tracks | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | "Clean Up the City" | Back On the Line | Bradley |
| 1984 | "I Should Have Known Better" | Impossible Dream | A&M |
| 1985 | "I Sleep Alone at Night" | Blue Songs | A&M |
| 1986 | "Hi Ho Silver" | Hi Ho Silver (Instrumental) | A&M |
| 1986 | "Young Love (Carry Me Away)" | Caledonia | A&M |
| 1986 | "Desire" | A&M | |
| 1986 | "So Strong" | A&M | |
| 1988 | "Broadway" | Second Chance | Teldec |
| 1988 | "The Last Time" | Miracles | Teldec |
| 1993 | "Not Man Enough" | Child's Heart/If You're Gonna Break My Heart | Polydor |
| 1994 | "Caledonia (Heartland)" | Righteous/Total | |
| 2005 | "When You Turn" | When You Turn (Album version)/Rhythm of the Radio | Hypertension |
| 2006 | "Blue Shoes" | I Won't Let You Down (Live)/Blue Shoes (Live)/My Girl (Live)/
I Should Have Known Better (Live)/Wonderful World (Live) |
Hypertension |
Music Videos (Solo)
| Song | Released |
|---|---|
| "I Should Have Known Better" | 1984 |
| "I Sleep Alone At Night" | 1985 |
| "Remember I Love You" | 1985 |
| "Young Love (Carry Me Away)" | 1986 |
| "Broadway" | 1988 |
Music Videos (With Ph.D)
| Song | Released |
|---|---|
| "I Won't Let You Down" | 1982 |
| "Little Susie's On the Up" | 1983 |
Other recordings featuring Jim Diamond
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1977 | "Ohio" (with Bandit) (Arista Records) |
| 1979 | "Cha Cha Me (Album with Japanese band 'BACCO'.) |
| 1981 | "I Won't Let You Down" (with Ph.D) (WEA Records) |
| 1983 | "I Didn't Know" (with Ph.D) (WEA Records) |
| 1985 | "You'll Never Walk Alone" (with Crowd) |
| 1987 | "Let It Be" (with Ferry Aid) |
| 1990 | "Sailing" (with Rock Against Repatriation) |
Television Appearances
| Year | TV Show |
|---|---|
| 1977 | "Supersonic" (Performing 'Ohio' with Bandit) |
| 1982-86 | "Top of the Pops" (Performing "I Won't Let You Down" with Ph.D (1982), "I Should Have Known Better" (1984), "Hi Ho Silver" (1986)) |
| 1985 | "The Keith Harris Show" |
| 1994 | "Pebble Mill" (Performing "I Should Have Known Better", "Skye Boat Song") |
| 2001 | "Stars in Their Eyes" (Guest appearance to congratulate contestant.) |