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Artist
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds
12+ albums
northern soulsoulreggae70sDisco
about
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 Rolli
