Biography
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Years Active
1964 – present (61 years)
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Members
- Jimmy James
- Phil Chen (1964 – 1970)
- The Vagabonds
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds was a Jamaican rhythm 'n' blues band formed in 1964 when singer Jimmy James (who already had two hits in Jamaica) collaborated with The Vagabonds. They released their best known studio album, The New Religion, in 1966.
James teamed up with The Vagabonds under Canadian band manager Roger Smith and, in April 1964, they relocated to the UK. Ska-Time (Decca Records) was recorded as Jamaica's Own Vagabonds within two weeks of their arrival, and is one of the first examples of Jamaican ska music to be recorded in the UK (it was reissued as Skatime in 1970 on Decca's Eclipse label). After meeting manager Peter Meaden in 1965, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds supported The Who and Rod Stewart( who was with his group the Steampacket) at the Marquee Club in London. The band played the Shanklin Pier ballroom on the Isle of Wight in June 1965 and returned for two further sold-out concerts that summer. That same year they played the Richmond National Jazz and Blue Festival and they were also on the bill the following year when the festival was at Windsor. Jimmy James & The Vagabonds shared several bills with Jimi Hendrix's band, the Experience, during the late 1960s when they were both trying to establish themselves.
They signed a recording contract with Pye Records and released their best known studio album, The New Religion, in 1966. The band also played as support for The Who, Sonny & Cher, Rod Stewart (who was also on Pye Records at the time) and The Rolling Stones. The band often used the Abbey Road Studios, once being there at the same time as The Beatles were recording. Their live performance was captured in the album London Swings – Live at the Marquee Club, also featuring the Alan Bown Set. Jimmy James and the Vagabonds were labelmates and rivals of Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band.
The Vagabonds disbanded in 1970, but James, who owned the name, enlisted Alan Wood to form a band with a new, all-white line-up in 1973. They had hits in the UK Singles Chart with "I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me" (1976) and "Now Is the Time". In 1976, they recorded the funky disco song "Disco Fever".
In 1979 a new band, Big Business, was formed by Alan Kirk and Andrew Platts, former Vagabonds. In 1999, drummer Russ Courtenay co-wrote the track "Whatever You Need", which appeared on Tina Turner's album, 24/7, and later on her All the Best and The Platinum Collection compilation albums.
In 2007, James contributed the track "The Other Side of the Street" for Ian Levine's Northern Soul 2007 album.
James performed around the UK with former Foundations frontman, Clem Curtis. 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. In 2013, they toured with James' early hero, Ben E. King.
In February 2014, the song "Whatever You Need", written by drummer Russ Courtenay and Harriet Roberts, featured on Tina Turner's album, Love Songs.
At the age of 80, James continued with concert appearances into the latter half of 2021, but he later retired from performing. James died in London on 14 May 2024.
Members of the Vagabonds have included:
Rupert Balgobin (drums, 1960–70)
Barry Sutton (Trumpet, 1967–70)
Colston Chen (bass, 1960–70)
Phil Chen (guitar, 1960–70)
Fred Fredericks (saxophone, 1960–70)
Carl Griffiths (saxophone, 1960–70)
Count Prince Miller (vocals, 1960–70) died in 2018
Carl Noel (keyboards, 1960–67)
Art Regis (Hammond organ, 1967–1969)
Wallace Wilson (guitar, 1960–70)
Stewart Blandamer (saxophone, 1970-1972
Steve Farr (saxophone, 1970-1972)
Bill Roberts (guitar, 1970-1972)
Eddy Spence (keyboards, 1970-1972)
Kelvin(Kelly)Cantlon (bass, 1970-1972)
Mick Dolan (drums, 1970-1972)
Alan Wood (bass, 1973–77)
Martin Dale (trumpet, 1971)
Dave Hopper (guitar, 1973–74)
Fred Guite (drums, 1973–74)
Pete Wright (drums, 1974–75)
Russ Courtenay (drums, 1975–77)
Chris Garfield (guitar, 1975–77)
Alan Kirk (keyboards, 1975–77)
Pete Gill (drums, 1974–1975)
John Steele (guitar, 1974–1975)
Rick Sequeira (keyboards, 1974–1975)
Andrew Platts (trombone and vocals 1977–1979)
Glenn Harland (Lead Guitarist 1981–1984)
John Wintony (keyboards 1981–1984)
Dave Bussey (drums 1981–1984)
Chris Turner (bass 1981–1984)
Steve Ward (lead guitarist, 1990–1995)
David Cooke (keyboards, 1990–1995)
Pat Coleman (drums, 1990–1994)
Mario James (bass, 1990–1992)
Mike Scrimshaw (bass, 1992)
Dean Spain (backing vocals, 1998– )
Discography
"Red Red Wine" – 1968 – Pye – No. 36 UK
A Man Like Me -1972 - Stateside Records Did not Chart
I'll Go Where your Music Takes Me– Pye – No. 23 UK
"You Don't Stand a Chance if You Can't Dance" - 1975 - PYE Records Limited
"Now Is The Time" – 1976 – Pye – No. 5 UK
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