Jimmy London

b. Trevor Shaw, 30 November 1949, St. Catherine, Jamaica, West Indies. In the late 60s Shaw recorded, with the Inspirations, the Joe Gibbs -directed hits ‘Take Back Your Duck’, ‘La La’ and ‘The Train Is Coming’. He achieved international renown in the early 70s with the Impact All Stars at Randy’s studios. His version of Simon And Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ topped the Jamaican chart and was equally successful in the UK reggae charts. This was swiftly followed by ‘A Little Love’, and both songs were featured on Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Versions of the Temptations’ ‘Just My Imagination’ and ‘It’s Now Or Never’ were also lifted from the album for release as singles. In 1974 ‘Rock And Roll Lullaby’ made a significant impression on the reggae chart with its infectious ‘Na na na it’ll be alright’ chorus. He then topped the reggae chart for two consecutive months with ‘No Letter Today’, which was released on the Dragon label. With a variety of producers, the hits ‘Together’, ‘Jim Say Hello’ and ‘Don’t Keep The Kids’, sustained his high profile in the specialist charts. In 1975 London toured the UK, making his debut at the Lyceum in London supporting soul artist George McCrae. London joined forces with Pat Rhoden, releasing the first single on the newly formed Jama label, ‘What Good Am I’, which was soon followed by ‘I’m Your Puppet’ and ‘Am I That Easy To Forget’. By 1976 he had recorded ‘Thank The Lord’, featured on Welcome To My World, which included a remake of his earlier hit ‘A Little Love’, a version of the Drifters’ ‘Kissin’ In The Back Row Of The Movies’ and the particularly popular ‘Hold On’. Jimmy London continued to record throughout the 70s and 80s.