Scottish singer-songwriter, record producer and actor Jimmy Somerville was born 64 years ago as James William Somerville in Glasgow.
Jimmy’s career commenced in 1983 when he co-created the band ‘Bronski Beat’ with a couple of friends. They had various successful tracks such as ‘I Feel Love’, however, their major hit was ‘Smalltown Boy’ which was a number 3 UK hit.
Just 2 years later, Jimmy left this band to form another synthpop group named ‘The Communards’. The duo also enjoyed several hits like ‘Never can Say Goodbye’ and ‘So Cold the Night’, but the biggest one was a cover version of ‘Don’t leave me this Way’, which was a UK number one hit for 4 consecutive weeks in 1986, plus the best-selling single for that year.
After the group disbanded 2 years later in 1989, Jimmy embarked on a solo career and went on to release his debut album ‘Read my Lips’, which featured 3 Top 30 UK hits. Precisely a year later, a greatest hits collection came out which went very well in the UK albums chart.
At the beginning of the 90s, Somerville collaborated with other artists, particularly by providing backing vocals. Then, after a 4-year hiatus, he returned to the music scene and until 2015 he released 5 studio albums.
Jimmy also contributed to charity when he recorded a track to help raise funds towards youth homelessness. He was also part of the charity supergroup ‘Band Aid’ and sang with numerous British and Irish artists to collect money in aid of hunger in Ethiopia.
During his career, Somerville received a BFI – Grierson Award as well as an R.SH Gold Award, and was honoured with a Special Recognition Award by the Scottish Music Awards board.
*Image: no infringement intended. Source: Discogs