Jim Diamond (singer): Difference between revisions

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Jim Diamond (born September 28 1951, in Glasgow) is a Scottish singer-songwriter.

Diamond is best known for his two Top 5 hits - "I Won't Let You Down" (1982) as the singer in the trio Ph.D., with Tony Hymas and Simon Phillips; and 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 peoples songs, especially Charity songs such as Sailing with Rock Against Repatriation, You'll Never Walk Alone with The Crowd and Let It Be with Ferry Aid.

Diamond is still a working artist. Over the past thirty years he has gone from lead singer of his own bands, to solo studio artist, to live performer. If one thing can be said for Jim Diamond, it is that he is one of the hardest working entertainers of our time.

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. He later toured Europe with another band Gully Foyle. Rare recordings of his performances with Gully Foyle were recently discovered on the Internet.

Jim would soon be discovered by Alexis Korner 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 he left Korner to form Bandit (Rock Band). The line-up included AC/DC band member Cliff Williams. They were soon signed up by Arista Records and released their self titled debut album Bandit. They failed to reach the charts due to the punk music scene at the time.

Diamond ventured to L.A. to form Slick Diamond with Earl Slick. He spent some time touring and recording and even provided music for a movie soundtrack.

1982 would be Diamond's big break in to the public eye when he formed Ph.D (Philips, Hymas and Diamond), with pianist/keyboard player Tony Hymas and drummer Simon Philips. 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. He hit the big time yet again with his Number 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.

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 titled 'Blue Shoes'.

It was recently revealed that Diamond has reunited with Hymas and Philips for a new Ph.D album to be released some time in 2007.

• Jim Diamond
• Rare Recordings: Gully Foyle
• Jim Diamond's Rhapsody Page
• Jim Diamond: MySpace