James Honeyman-Scott
| James Honeyman-Scott | |
|---|---|
James Honeyman-Scott, December 1981
|
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Jimmy |
| Born |
4 November 1956 Hereford, Herefordshire, England |
| Died | 16 June 1982 (aged 25) London, England |
| Genres | Rock, new wave |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, keyboard |
| Years active | 1974–1982 |
| Labels | Sire |
| Associated acts | The Pretenders |
| Notable instruments | |
|
Zemaitis Guitars Hamer Guitars |
|
James "Jimmy" Honeyman-Scott (4 November 1956 – 16 June 1982) was an English rock guitarist, songwriter and founding member of the band The Pretenders.
With the Pretenders, Honeyman-Scott established a reputation, in the words of Allmusic, as "one of the most original and versatile guitarists of the early-'80s new wave movement." In addition to his role as lead guitarist, Honeyman-Scott co-wrote a number of songs for the band, sang back-up vocals, and played keyboards on a few tracks. The song –"2000 Miles"— —was written for him by Chrissie Hynde and released the year after his death.
Honeyman-Scott, along with Pretenders bandmates Pete Farndon (bass guitar, vocals) and Martin Chambers (drums, vocals, percussion), came from Hereford. Prior to joining the Pretenders, Honeyman-Scott played in several bands, including a precursor to The Enid with Robert John Godfrey, the Hawks (Kelv Wilson, bass guitar & vocals; Dave Plowman, guitar; Stan Speak, drums), The Hot Band, and The Cheeks.
Fellow members in The Cheeks included Chambers and ex-Mott the Hoople keyboardist Verden Allen, Kelv Wilson (bass guitar, vocals). When Honeyman-Scott joined The Pretenders, he was growing vegetables and selling guitars in a music store in Widemarsh Street, Hereford, called Buzz Music.
Honeyman-Scott acknowledged a number of influences on his guitar-playing (Guitar Player, 1981). Early musical influences included Cream and the Allman Brothers Band. Later, he was influenced by the lead lines and finger vibrato used by Mick Ralphs of Mott the Hoople.
Honeyman-Scott also credited Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello with their "big jangly" Rickenbacker-influenced guitar sound (Guitar Player, 1981). During his tenure with the Pretenders, Dave Edmunds and Billy Bremner from Rockpile were influential, as well as Nils Lofgren and Chris Spedding.
...
Wikipedia