Jimmy Helms
| Jimmy Helms | |
|---|---|
Helms performing live in Belgium, in 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James D. Helms |
| Born |
September 27, 1941 Florida, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1969–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
| Website | jimmyhelms |
James D. Helms (born September 27, 1941) is an American soul singer, best known as a member of Londonbeat.
James D. Helms was born on September 27, 1941, in Florida. His grandfather was a Black Seminole and a preacher. Helms discovered music when his aunt gave the family a radio, and went on to play trumpet in the school band. After high school he moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he released his first single "Susie's Gone" on Sue Records in 1963. He played with the Carl Salle band and moved to Boston, where he worked as a sessions guitarist. In the early 1960s, he joined the US Army and played trumpet in the Fort Jackson Army Band.
After his service, Helms began to spend more time pursuing a music career in the UK. He released "Ragtime Girl" on Pye records in 1975 and in 1969 he released "If You Let Me" on London. Neither of these early releases made much of an impact but helped to push Helms into the spotlight in the 1970s.
In Boston in 1970, Helms appeared in the Broadway musical Hair, where he played the character Hud. Reviewing his performance, Billboard Magazine noted "He projects a personality that is vital."
Helms signed to Fly Records in 1972, and released "So Long Love". However, he is best known for his #8 UK hit single, "Gonna Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse" in 1973. Later releases such as "I'll Take Good Care of You" and "Jack Horner's Holiday" did not repeat the commercial success. "I'm Gonna Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse" was written and produced by Johnny Worth.
Helms sang Elmer Bernstein and Don Black's title song for the 1974 adventure film Gold, starring Roger Moore. In 1974 he worked on Roger Glover's concept album The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast, performing "Waiting." The album also featured Ronnie James Dio, Glenn Hughes, David Coverdale, Tony Ashton and John Lawton. In 1976, Helms performed on two songs for Eddie Hardin's Wizard's Convention album ("Loose Ends" and "She's a Woman.")
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Wikipedia