Nicky James
Encyclopedia
Nicky James was a British
musician
and songwriter
.
, Staffordshire
, England on 2 April 1943. He attended Park Lane School, and at age sixteen moved to Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. After moving to Birmingham
he first performed with various musical acts involved in the early "Brumbeat" scene.
James led the early 1960s band the Lawmen before joining Denny Laine
and the Diplomats in Spring 1963, which was soon renamed Nicky James with Denny Laine and the Diplomats. After attracting the attention of Pye Records
producer Tony Hatch
, Nicky left the Diplomats in Fall 1963 to record a solo single, "My Colour is Blue." He continued to play in a number of bands, including the mod band The Jamesons alongside John Walker
(aka John Maus) of the Walker Brothers
. Soon, James re-united with former Diplomats in a new group, The Moody Blues 5. Two months after James's departure, the band shortened their name to The Moody Blues
, signed to Decca Records
, and had their first #1 hit
at the end of 1964 with "Go Now
".
Signing to Columbia Records
under the name the Nicky James Movement, James's new project debuted in 1965 with a single version of Stagger Lee
. Among the rotating membership of The Nicky James Movement were John Bonham
, later the drummer for Led Zeppelin
, as well as Bev Bevan
of ELO
, Mike Pinder
of The Moody Blues
, and Roy Wood
of The Move
.
James then moved to Philips Records
for 1967s "So Glad We Made It". Four singles followed: "Would You Believe", "Nobody But Me", "Time" and "Reaching For The Sun." James made his full-length debut with 1971's "Nicky James". While doubling as a talent scout for Dick James Music publishers in 1966-67, Nicky James signed the newly-formed team of Bernie Taupin
and Elton John
as staff-writers.
In 1972 James signed to the Moody Blues's Threshold Records
, and released two more albums: "Every Home Should Have One"(1973) and "Thunderthroat" (1976), as well as four further singles, including "Black Dream" in 1972 and "Maggie" in 1976. On 20 August 1973, the Nicky James Band recorded for John Peel
's radio show on BBC Radio 1
.
James appeared on solo albums by Moody Blues members Graeme Edge
and Ray Thomas
, including From Mighty Oaks
(1975) and Hopes Wishes and Dreams
(1976), where he worked with noted film composer Trevor Jones
. He also co-wrote songs with Allan Clarke
of The Hollies
and Graham Nash
of CSNY.
John Bonham of Led Zeppelin described Nicky James as "an incredible singer . . . he could sing any style . . . [and] he had a big following." Bev Bevan of ELO recalled his first encounter with James: "a tall, skinny, good-looking guy with a mop of Brylcreemed black hair, swept back Teddy Boy style . . . he launched into Elvis Presley
's One Night With You. He was sensational." NME describes James as displaying a "perfected vocal technique that melded the blues with prevalent beat pop tendencies."
Nicky James continued to write and perform well into the 21st century; after relocating to Aldbourne in Wiltshire
, he founded Stable Studios and continued his prolific recorded output. He appeared in the 2006 documentary Classic Artists: The Moody Blues, and was working on a new record when he died on 8 October 2007. He left a wife, Martine, and children, Sami and Louis.
solo albums
collaborations
Peel sessions
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
Biography
Nicky James was born Michael Clifford Nicholls in TiptonTipton
Tipton is a town in the Sandwell borough of the West Midlands, England, with a population of around 47,000. Tipton is located about halfway between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is a part of the Black Country....
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, England on 2 April 1943. He attended Park Lane School, and at age sixteen moved to Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. After moving to Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
he first performed with various musical acts involved in the early "Brumbeat" scene.
James led the early 1960s band the Lawmen before joining Denny Laine
Denny Laine
Denny Laine is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, guitarist, and lead singer of The Moody Blues' 1965 debut album "The Magnificent Moodies"; and, later, best known for his role as co-founder of Wings...
and the Diplomats in Spring 1963, which was soon renamed Nicky James with Denny Laine and the Diplomats. After attracting the attention of Pye Records
Pye Records
Pye Records was a British record label. In its first incarnation, perhaps Pye's best known artists were Lonnie Donegan , Petula Clark , The Searchers , The Kinks , Sandie Shaw and Brotherhood of Man...
producer Tony Hatch
Tony Hatch
Anthony Peter "Tony" Hatch is an English composer, songwriter, pianist, music arranger and producer.-Early life and early career:...
, Nicky left the Diplomats in Fall 1963 to record a solo single, "My Colour is Blue." He continued to play in a number of bands, including the mod band The Jamesons alongside John Walker
John Walker (musician)
John Joseph Maus , known professionally as John Walker, was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the founder of The Walker Brothers, who had their greatest success in the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom.-Early life and career:John Maus was born in New York City, the...
(aka John Maus) of the Walker Brothers
The Walker Brothers
The Walker Brothers were an American 1960s and 1970s pop group, comprising Scott Engel , John Walker , and Gary Leeds...
. Soon, James re-united with former Diplomats in a new group, The Moody Blues 5. Two months after James's departure, the band shortened their name to The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
, signed to Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, and had their first #1 hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
at the end of 1964 with "Go Now
Go Now (song)
"Go Now" is a 1964 song composed by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett. It was first recorded by Bessie Banks, and most successfully by The Moody Blues.-Bessie Banks:The song was first recorded by Larry Banks' former wife, Bessie Banks...
".
Signing to Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
under the name the Nicky James Movement, James's new project debuted in 1965 with a single version of Stagger Lee
Stagger Lee (song)
"Stagger Lee", also known as "Stagolee", "Stackerlee", "Stack O'Lee", "Stack-a-Lee" and several other variants, is a popular folk song based on the murder of William "Billy" Lyons by Stagger Lee Shelton...
. Among the rotating membership of The Nicky James Movement were John Bonham
John Bonham
John Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
, later the drummer for Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, as well as Bev Bevan
Bev Bevan
Bev Bevan is an English rock musician, who was the drummer and one of the original members of The Move and Electric Light Orchestra...
of ELO
ELO
- Music :* Electric Light Orchestra, a British rock music group** The Electric Light Orchestra , the group's debut album** ELO 2, the group's second album* ELO Part II, an offshoot band of Electric Light Orchestra- Sports and games :...
, Mike Pinder
Mike Pinder
Michael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
of The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
, and Roy Wood
Roy Wood
Roy Adrian Wood is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the bands The Move, Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a number of hits to the repertoire of these bands.-Career:Wood...
of The Move
The Move
The Move, from Birmingham, England, were one of the leading British rock bands of the 1960s. They scored nine Top 20 UK singles in five years, but were among the most popular British bands not to find any success in the United States....
.
James then moved to Philips Records
Philips Records
Philips Records is a record label that was founded by Dutch electronics company Philips. It was started by "Philips Phonographische Industrie" in 1950. Recordings were made with popular artists of various nationalities and also with classical artists from Germany, France and Holland. Philips also...
for 1967s "So Glad We Made It". Four singles followed: "Would You Believe", "Nobody But Me", "Time" and "Reaching For The Sun." James made his full-length debut with 1971's "Nicky James". While doubling as a talent scout for Dick James Music publishers in 1966-67, Nicky James signed the newly-formed team of Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
and Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
as staff-writers.
In 1972 James signed to the Moody Blues's Threshold Records
Threshold Records
Threshold Records was a record label created by The Moody Blues, after their 1969 album On the Threshold of a Dream.It was a UK subsidiary of Decca Records and a U.S. subsidiary of London Records...
, and released two more albums: "Every Home Should Have One"(1973) and "Thunderthroat" (1976), as well as four further singles, including "Black Dream" in 1972 and "Maggie" in 1976. On 20 August 1973, the Nicky James Band recorded for John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
's radio show on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
.
James appeared on solo albums by Moody Blues members Graeme Edge
Graeme Edge
Graeme Charles Edge is best known as the drummer and a songwriter for the Moody Blues, but has also led his own outfit, the Graeme Edge Band.-Biography:...
and Ray Thomas
Ray Thomas
Ray Thomas is an English musician, best known as the flautist and as a singer and composer in the rock band, The Moody Blues.-Career:...
, including From Mighty Oaks
From Mighty Oaks
From Mighty Oaks is the first solo album by Moody Blues flautist Ray Thomas together with Nicky James, Trevor Jones, Dave Potts, John Jones and Mike Moran, originally released in July 1975. It was reissued on Compact Disc in August 1989...
(1975) and Hopes Wishes and Dreams
Hopes, Wishes and Dreams (album)
Hopes, Wishes and Dreams is the second solo album by Ray Thomas of The Moody Blues in conjunction with Nicky James and the orchestral arrangements of Terry James, released under The Moody Blues own Threshold Label as THS17 in June 1976. The album was also available in cassette and cartridge. It was...
(1976), where he worked with noted film composer Trevor Jones
Trevor Jones
Trevor Jones may refer to:*Trevor Jones , Australian Deputy Chief of Navy *Trevor Jones , South African orchestral film score composer*Trevor Jones , English cricketer for Somerset...
. He also co-wrote songs with Allan Clarke
Allan Clarke (singer)
Allan Clarke is a retired British singer who was one of the founding members of The Hollies. He retired in 1999.-Career:...
of The Hollies
The Hollies
The Hollies are an English pop and rock group, formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, though most of the band members are from throughout East Lancashire. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style, they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and 1970s...
and Graham Nash
Graham Nash
Graham William Nash, OBE is an English singer-songwriter known for his light tenor vocals and for his songwriting contributions with the British pop group The Hollies, and with the folk-rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Nash is a photography collector and a published photographer...
of CSNY.
John Bonham of Led Zeppelin described Nicky James as "an incredible singer . . . he could sing any style . . . [and] he had a big following." Bev Bevan of ELO recalled his first encounter with James: "a tall, skinny, good-looking guy with a mop of Brylcreemed black hair, swept back Teddy Boy style . . . he launched into Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's One Night With You. He was sensational." NME describes James as displaying a "perfected vocal technique that melded the blues with prevalent beat pop tendencies."
Nicky James continued to write and perform well into the 21st century; after relocating to Aldbourne in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, he founded Stable Studios and continued his prolific recorded output. He appeared in the 2006 documentary Classic Artists: The Moody Blues, and was working on a new record when he died on 8 October 2007. He left a wife, Martine, and children, Sami and Louis.
Discography
singles- My Colour is Blue/Take Me Back (September 1963, Pye 15560)
- Stagger Lee/I'm Hurtin' Inside (November 1965, Columbia DB 7747)
- Would You Believe/Silver Butterfly (January 1968, Phillips BF 1635)
- Looking Through Windows/Nobody But Me (August 1968, Phillips BF 1694)
- Time/Little Bit of Paper (1969, Phillips BF 1755)
- Black Dream/She Came to Me (1972, Threshold 67014)
- My Style/I Guess I've Always Loved You (1972, Threshold 67016)
- Why/Foreign Shore (1972, Threshold THS12)
- Rock & Roll Jamboree/Doctor, Doctor (1973, Threshold 67017)
- Maggie/Bottle of Cheap Red Wine (1976, Threshold THS25)
solo albums
- Nicky James - 1971 (Philips)
- Every Home Should Have One - (1973, Threshold THS10)
- Thunderthroat - (1976, Threshold THS19)
- Black Country Boy (unreleased, in-progress at time of death)
collaborations
- John Walker - Annabella/You Don't Understand Me (1967, Philips BF 1593) (co-written with Graham Nash and Kirk Duncan)
- Ray Thomas - From Mighty Oaks (Threshold, 1975)
- Ray Thomas - Hopes, Wishes, and Dreams (Threshold, 1976)
Peel sessions
- with The Nicky James Band - Rock n' Roll Jamboree, I Guess I've Always Loved You, A Bottle of Cheap Red Wine, My Style (8/20/1973, transmitted 8/30/1973)