P. J. Proby
Encyclopedia
P.J. Proby is an American singer, songwriter, and actor, who has portrayed Elvis Presley
and Roy Orbison
in musical theater
productions as well as enjoying a successful recording career in his own right.
The stage name P.J. Proby was suggested to him by his friend Sharon Sheeley
who had had a boyfriend of the same name at high school. In 2008, Proby celebrated his 70th birthday and EMI
released the Best Of The EMI Years 1961-1972
.
, Culver Naval Academy and Western Military Academy. After graduation he moved to California to become a motion picture actor and recording artist
. Given the stage name Jett Powers by top Hollywood agents Gabey, Lutz, Heller and Loeb, he took acting and singing lessons, and appeared in movies with small roles. Two singles "Go, Girl, Go", and "Loud Perfume", were released on an independent label
. Proby was brought by Sharon Sheeley to audition at Liberty Records
in 1961 and he recorded a number of unsuccessful singles for the label. In 1962 he began writing songs and recording
demos
for artists
such as Elvis Presley
and Bobby Vee.
by Sheeley and Jackie DeShannon
. He appeared on The Beatles
' television special in 1964. Under the production of Good, Proby scored a string of exuberantly-styled UK top 20 hits in 1964 and 1965 including "Hold Me", "Together" (featuring session guitarists Big Jim Sullivan
and Jimmy Page
), "Somewhere
" and "Maria
" (the latter two taken from the musical West Side Story). Further, of particular note to Beatles fans, Proby recorded the Lennon/McCartney composition "That Means a Lot
", a song The Beatles had attempted several times before deciding to give it away.
Despite these hits, Proby's UK career gradually lost momentum after a number of controversial live appearances—including a notorious trouser-splitting incident at a February 1965 show in Luton—led to performance bans by the ABC theatre chain, its TV namesake and BBC TV. A run of minor hits in 1966 was followed by a number of flops, and in March 1968 "It's Your Day Today" gave Proby his last UK chart entry for nearly 30 years.
Top 30 hit
with "Niki Hoeky". In September 1968, Proby recorded the album Three Week Hero
, which was released in 1969. A collection of country
-style ballad
s mixed with blues
, it utilised The New Yardbirds, later to become Led Zeppelin
, as Proby's backing band. The album was produced by Steve Rowland
.
in a rock musical version of Shakespeare
's Othello
, called Catch My Soul. After Catch My Soul, he continued to perform mostly in cabaret
and nightclub
s, singing 1960s ballads and rhythm and blues
material. Signing with Good again in 1977, he portrayed Elvis Presley
in a theatrical production of Elvis – The Musical
, winning a Best Musical of the Year award. In 1978, Proby recorded with the Dutch rock group Focus
releasing Focus con Proby
. He then returned to singing in clubs
, before embarking on a change of direction.
In 1993 Proby appeared in the Jack Good biographical musical Good Rockin' Tonite – as himself. Two years later in 1995, Proby appeared in the Roy Orbison
tribute show, Only The Lonely. By 1996 Proby was acting again in Elvis – The Musical.
's "Tainted Love
" for the Manchester based Savoy Records label which was followed by further covers of "Love Will Tear Us Apart
", "Anarchy in the UK", Prince song "Sign of the Times
", "In the Air Tonight
", and "Garbageman" for the same label.
In 1987 his Savoy Records single "M9700 Hardcore" credited Madonna as "Second Vocal (Special Guest)" though this was patently untrue. In 1989, the Southport
, Lancashire based author/songwriter Ron Ellis recorded Proby singing one of Ellis's compositions, "Hot California Nights"
by John G. Sutton from the Preston based, J'Ace Records. This led to the release of a single "Stage of Fools", and an album entitled, Thanks. It was distributed internationally by BMG
.
Granada TV featured Proby in a documentary around this time. Subsequently, Proby suffered a heart attack whilst on holiday in Florida in 1992 which curtailed his activities until the following year. Then he reappeared on stage in the biographical musical Good Rockin Tonight, followed by playing himself in Only The Lonely. A year later Proby returned to a new production of Elvis – The Musical, and released the album Legend. The album featured songwriting and production contributions from Marc Almond
, and Neal X from Sigue Sigue Sputnik
. A resulting single, "Yesterday Has Gone", a duet
with Almond, reached number 58 on the UK Singles Chart
at the end of 1996.
In 1997, Proby toured with The Who
in the United States and in Europe, performing as 'The Godfather' in the road production of Quadrophenia
. After Quadrophenia, Proby continued singing by doing performances in UK, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. In addition, he toured in 'Sixties Gold' in 2010, another revival series of shows. In August 2004, he also toured in Australia. From February until May 2006, Proby was touring with the 'Solid Silver Sixties Show 2006' – and went through six road managers/drivers – throughout much of the UK, ending at the London Palladium
.
In 2002, Van Morrison
recorded a song for his album Down the Road entitled "Whatever Happened to P.J. Proby?"
In November 2008, Proby celebrated his 70th birthday. To commemorate the year, EMI
released a 25-track retrospective, Best Of The EMI Years 1961-1972
. This featured A-side and B-side
of his singles, eight rarities that debuted on the CD format, and two previously unreleased recordings (which were Les Reed
and Barry Mason
's "Delilah
"; and Jim Ford
's "I'm Ahead If I Can Quit While I'm Behind"). Reed wrote the song "Delilah" for Proby's 1968 studio album Believe It Or Not, but it was omitted from the finished release and instead became a hit single for Tom Jones
. Also around this time, Proby wrote and recorded a Christmas single entitled "The Bells Of Christmas Day" along with local guitarist and producer, Andy Crump.
In 2011, Proby was charged with nine charges of benefit fraud, including two counts of failing to declare savings and investments, and four of failing to inform the authorities of a change in circumstance. He pleaded not guilty to all of them.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
in musical theater
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
productions as well as enjoying a successful recording career in his own right.
The stage name P.J. Proby was suggested to him by his friend Sharon Sheeley
Sharon Sheeley
Sharon Sheeley was an American songwriter, born in California, who wrote songs for Glen Campbell, Ricky Nelson, Brenda Lee, and Sheeley's former fiancé, Eddie Cochran.-Life:...
who had had a boyfriend of the same name at high school. In 2008, Proby celebrated his 70th birthday and EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
released the Best Of The EMI Years 1961-1972
Best Of The EMI Years 1961-1972
The Best Of The EMI Years: 1961-1972 is a compilation album released in 2008 celebrating the career of P. J. Proby.-Overview:This P. J. Proby collection is the first to be released by EMI in 10 years. The project was devised as a way of celebrating Proby's 70th birthday in November 2008...
.
Youth and early career
Proby was born in Houston, Texas, United States, and was educated at San Marcos Military AcademySan Marcos Baptist Academy
San Marcos Baptist Academy is a Baptist, coed prep school that is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Texas Association of Boarding Schools...
, Culver Naval Academy and Western Military Academy. After graduation he moved to California to become a motion picture actor and recording artist
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. Given the stage name Jett Powers by top Hollywood agents Gabey, Lutz, Heller and Loeb, he took acting and singing lessons, and appeared in movies with small roles. Two singles "Go, Girl, Go", and "Loud Perfume", were released on an independent label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
. Proby was brought by Sharon Sheeley to audition at Liberty Records
Liberty Records
Liberty Records was a United States-based record label. It was started by chairman Simon Waronker in 1955 with Al Bennett as president and Theodore Keep as chief engineer. It was reactivated in 2001 in the United Kingdom and had two previous revivals.-1950s:...
in 1961 and he recorded a number of unsuccessful singles for the label. In 1962 he began writing songs and recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
demos
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
for artists
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
such as Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and Bobby Vee.
Success in Britain
Proby travelled to London after being introduced to Jack GoodJack Good (producer)
Jack Good is a pioneering former TV television producer, musical theatre producer, record producer, musician and painter of icons.-Career:...
by Sheeley and Jackie DeShannon
Jackie DeShannon
Jackie DeShannon is an American singer-songwriter with a string of hit song credits from the 1960s onwards. She was one of the first female singer-songwriters of the rock 'n' roll period.- Life and early career :...
. He appeared on The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' television special in 1964. Under the production of Good, Proby scored a string of exuberantly-styled UK top 20 hits in 1964 and 1965 including "Hold Me", "Together" (featuring session guitarists Big Jim Sullivan
Big Jim Sullivan
Big Jim Sullivan is an English musician, whose career started in 1959. He is best known as a session guitarist. In the 1960s and 1970s, Sullivan was one of the most "in-demand" studio musicians in the UK, and performed in more than one thousand charting singles over his career...
and Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
), "Somewhere
Somewhere (song)
"Somewhere" is a song from the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story which was made into a film in 1961. The music is composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and takes a phrase from the slow movement of Beethoven's 'Emperor' Piano Concerto, which forms the start of the...
" and "Maria
Maria (1956 song)
"Maria" is a song from the Broadway musical West Side Story, sung by the lead character Tony. The music was written by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The song was published in 1956....
" (the latter two taken from the musical West Side Story). Further, of particular note to Beatles fans, Proby recorded the Lennon/McCartney composition "That Means a Lot
That Means a Lot
"That Means a Lot" is a song written by Lennon–McCartney and released in 1965 by P.J. Proby. Proby's version reached #24 on the NME chart. Prior to the release by Proby, The Beatles recorded a version that was intended for the Help! film and soundtrack...
", a song The Beatles had attempted several times before deciding to give it away.
Despite these hits, Proby's UK career gradually lost momentum after a number of controversial live appearances—including a notorious trouser-splitting incident at a February 1965 show in Luton—led to performance bans by the ABC theatre chain, its TV namesake and BBC TV. A run of minor hits in 1966 was followed by a number of flops, and in March 1968 "It's Your Day Today" gave Proby his last UK chart entry for nearly 30 years.
Back in the U.S.
In 1967 Proby scored his only Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
Top 30 hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
with "Niki Hoeky". In September 1968, Proby recorded the album Three Week Hero
Three Week Hero
Three Week Hero is an album released by rock singer P.J. Proby on April 8, 1969 by Liberty Records. The album contains a mixture of dramatic pop, blues, rock, and country style songs. While it did not succeed commercially, it is best remembered today as the first time all four members of Led...
, which was released in 1969. A collection of country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
-style ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
s mixed with blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
, it utilised The New Yardbirds, later to become Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, as Proby's backing band. The album was produced by Steve Rowland
Steve Rowland (record producer)
Steve Rowland is singer, columnist, record producer and actor. He grew up in Beverly Hills. His father is film director Roy Rowland, his mother Ruth was a writer, whilst Louis B...
.
The London stage
In 1971 he appeared on stage as CassioCássio
Cássio is a given name and may refer to:*Cássio Oliveira, , Brazilian football player for Adelaide United*Cássio Ramos, , Brazilian football player...
in a rock musical version of Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's Othello
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565...
, called Catch My Soul. After Catch My Soul, he continued to perform mostly in cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
and nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s, singing 1960s ballads and rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
material. Signing with Good again in 1977, he portrayed Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
in a theatrical production of Elvis – The Musical
Elvis (musical)
Elvis is a jukebox musical based upon the life of Elvis Presley, conceived and directed by Jack Good and Ray Cooney. The original cast included Shakin' Stevens, who later became one of the top selling UK singles artist of the 1980s.-Production history:...
, winning a Best Musical of the Year award. In 1978, Proby recorded with the Dutch rock group Focus
Focus (band)
Focus is a Dutch rock band which was founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969, and is most famous for the instrumental pieces "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia"...
releasing Focus con Proby
Focus con Proby
Focus con Proby is an album by Focus with the American singer P. J. Proby. It is Focus' 7th studio album and was released in January 1978. It also features guitarists Eef Albers and Philip Catherine and the other three Focus members from previous albums....
. He then returned to singing in clubs
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
, before embarking on a change of direction.
In 1993 Proby appeared in the Jack Good biographical musical Good Rockin' Tonite – as himself. Two years later in 1995, Proby appeared in the Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
tribute show, Only The Lonely. By 1996 Proby was acting again in Elvis – The Musical.
1980s
In 1985, Proby recorded a version of Gloria JonesGloria Jones
Gloria Richetta Jones is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She recorded the 1964 northern soul song, "Tainted Love", later a hit for the British synth-pop duo, Soft Cell. She was the girlfriend of glam rock artist Marc Bolan of the band T...
's "Tainted Love
Tainted Love
"Tainted Love" is a song composed by Ed Cobb, formerly of The Four Preps, which was originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1965. It attained worldwide fame after being covered by Soft Cell in 1981, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart, and has since been covered by numerous groups and...
" for the Manchester based Savoy Records label which was followed by further covers of "Love Will Tear Us Apart
Love Will Tear Us Apart
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by the British post-punk band Joy Division. It was written in August and September 1979, and debuted when the band supported Buzzcocks on their UK tour in September and October 1979. It is one of the few songs in which singer Ian Curtis played guitar...
", "Anarchy in the UK", Prince song "Sign of the Times
Sign of the times
Sign of the times may refer to:* Sign of the times , a phrase associated with some Aggiornamentos of the Roman Catholic Church* A Sign of the Times, a 1966 single by Petula Clark...
", "In the Air Tonight
In the Air Tonight
"In the Air Tonight" is a song by Phil Collins that first appeared on his 1981 album Face Value. It was recorded in 1979 and was the first single of Collins' solo career, and remains one of his best-known hits. The music video, directed by Stuart Orme, was released in 1981.-The song/recording:The...
", and "Garbageman" for the same label.
In 1987 his Savoy Records single "M9700 Hardcore" credited Madonna as "Second Vocal (Special Guest)" though this was patently untrue. In 1989, the Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
, Lancashire based author/songwriter Ron Ellis recorded Proby singing one of Ellis's compositions, "Hot California Nights"
1990s to the present
In the early 1990s Proby was offered a recording contractRecording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
by John G. Sutton from the Preston based, J'Ace Records. This led to the release of a single "Stage of Fools", and an album entitled, Thanks. It was distributed internationally by BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
.
Granada TV featured Proby in a documentary around this time. Subsequently, Proby suffered a heart attack whilst on holiday in Florida in 1992 which curtailed his activities until the following year. Then he reappeared on stage in the biographical musical Good Rockin Tonight, followed by playing himself in Only The Lonely. A year later Proby returned to a new production of Elvis – The Musical, and released the album Legend. The album featured songwriting and production contributions from Marc Almond
Marc Almond
Marc Almond is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who originally found fame as half of the seminal synthpop/New Wave duo Soft Cell...
, and Neal X from Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Sigue Sigue Sputnik were a British new wave band created in 1982 by the former Generation X bassist Tony James. The band had three UK Top 40 hit singles, including the song "Love Missile F1-11".-Early years:...
. A resulting single, "Yesterday Has Gone", a duet
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
with Almond, reached number 58 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at the end of 1996.
In 1997, Proby toured with The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
in the United States and in Europe, performing as 'The Godfather' in the road production of Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by English rock band The Who. Released on 19 October 1973 by Track and Polydor in the UK, and Track and MCA in the US, it is a double album, and the group's second rock opera...
. After Quadrophenia, Proby continued singing by doing performances in UK, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. In addition, he toured in 'Sixties Gold' in 2010, another revival series of shows. In August 2004, he also toured in Australia. From February until May 2006, Proby was touring with the 'Solid Silver Sixties Show 2006' – and went through six road managers/drivers – throughout much of the UK, ending at the London Palladium
London Palladium
The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety...
.
In 2002, Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
recorded a song for his album Down the Road entitled "Whatever Happened to P.J. Proby?"
In November 2008, Proby celebrated his 70th birthday. To commemorate the year, EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
released a 25-track retrospective, Best Of The EMI Years 1961-1972
Best Of The EMI Years 1961-1972
The Best Of The EMI Years: 1961-1972 is a compilation album released in 2008 celebrating the career of P. J. Proby.-Overview:This P. J. Proby collection is the first to be released by EMI in 10 years. The project was devised as a way of celebrating Proby's 70th birthday in November 2008...
. This featured A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of his singles, eight rarities that debuted on the CD format, and two previously unreleased recordings (which were Les Reed
Les Reed
Les Reed O.B.E. is an English songwriter, musician and light orchestra leader.-Career:...
and Barry Mason
Barry Mason
John Barry Mason is an English songwriter, originally from the village of Coppull, near Chorley in Lancashire....
's "Delilah
Delilah (1968 song)
"Delilah" is a song recorded by Welsh singer Tom Jones in 1968. It was written by Barry Mason, with music by Les Reed.-Success:It reached No 1 in the charts of several countries including Germany and Switzerland. It reached No 2 in the British charts in March 1968 and was the sixth best selling...
"; and Jim Ford
Jim Ford
Jim Ford was an American singer-songwriter originally from Johnson County, Kentucky. After living in New Orleans, Ford moved to Los Angeles, and finally settled in Fort Bragg, CA. His music is a mixture of soul, country and folk. His songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Aretha...
's "I'm Ahead If I Can Quit While I'm Behind"). Reed wrote the song "Delilah" for Proby's 1968 studio album Believe It Or Not, but it was omitted from the finished release and instead became a hit single for Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
. Also around this time, Proby wrote and recorded a Christmas single entitled "The Bells Of Christmas Day" along with local guitarist and producer, Andy Crump.
In 2011, Proby was charged with nine charges of benefit fraud, including two counts of failing to declare savings and investments, and four of failing to inform the authorities of a change in circumstance. He pleaded not guilty to all of them.
Albums
- I am P.J. Proby (1964) – UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
Number 16 - P.J. Proby (1965)
- P.J. Proby In Town (1965)
- Enigma (1966)
- Phenomenon (1967)
- Believe It or Not (1968)
- Three Week HeroThree Week HeroThree Week Hero is an album released by rock singer P.J. Proby on April 8, 1969 by Liberty Records. The album contains a mixture of dramatic pop, blues, rock, and country style songs. While it did not succeed commercially, it is best remembered today as the first time all four members of Led...
(1969) - California License (1970)
- I'm Yours (1972)
- Focus con ProbyFocus con ProbyFocus con Proby is an album by Focus with the American singer P. J. Proby. It is Focus' 7th studio album and was released in January 1978. It also features guitarists Eef Albers and Philip Catherine and the other three Focus members from previous albums....
(1978) - The Hero (1981)
- Clown Shoes (1987)
- Thanks (1991)
- The Savoy Sessions (1995) (compilation)
- Legend (1996)
- Memories (2003)
- Sentimental Journeys (2003)
- Wanted (2003)
- 20th century Hits (2005)
- Best Of The EMI Years 1961-1972Best Of The EMI Years 1961-1972The Best Of The EMI Years: 1961-1972 is a compilation album released in 2008 celebrating the career of P. J. Proby.-Overview:This P. J. Proby collection is the first to be released by EMI in 10 years. The project was devised as a way of celebrating Proby's 70th birthday in November 2008...
(2008) - Sixties Gold Tour 2010 (2010) Available from www.pjproby.net
Selected singles
- "Hold Me" (1964) – UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
Number 3, Canada Number 5 - "Together" (1964) – UK Number 8
- "SomewhereSomewhere (song)"Somewhere" is a song from the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story which was made into a film in 1961. The music is composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and takes a phrase from the slow movement of Beethoven's 'Emperor' Piano Concerto, which forms the start of the...
" (1964) – UK Number 6, Canada Number 17 - "I Apologise" (1965) – UK Number 11
- "Rockin' Pneumonia (1965) – Canada Number 34
- "Mission Bell" (1965) – Australia Number 3
- "Let The Water Run Down" (1965) – UK Number 19, Canada Number 30
- "That Means A LotThat Means a Lot"That Means a Lot" is a song written by Lennon–McCartney and released in 1965 by P.J. Proby. Proby's version reached #24 on the NME chart. Prior to the release by Proby, The Beatles recorded a version that was intended for the Help! film and soundtrack...
" (1965) – UK Number 30 - "MariaMaria (1956 song)"Maria" is a song from the Broadway musical West Side Story, sung by the lead character Tony. The music was written by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The song was published in 1956....
" (1965) – UK Number 8 - "You've Come Back" (1966) – UK Number 25
- "To Make A Big Man Cry" (1966) – UK Number 34
- "I Can't Make It Alone" (1966) – UK Number 37
- "Niki Hoeky" (1967) – US Number 23, Canada Number 22
- "It's Your Day Today" (1968) – UK Number 32
- "The Day That Lorraine Came Down" (1968)
- "Hanging From Your Loving Tree" (1969)
- "It's Goodbye" (1970)
- "We'll Meet Again" (1972)
- "Tainted Love" (1985)
- "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (1985)
- "Anarchy In the UK" (1987)
- "M97002 Hardcore" (1987)
- "Sign 'o' the Times" (1989)
- "In the Air Tonight" (1990)
- "Garbageman" (1990)
- "Stage Of Fools" (1990) – (J'Ace Records)
- "Yesterday Has Gone" (1996) – UK Number 58 (Credited to P. J. Proby and Marc AlmondMarc AlmondMarc Almond is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who originally found fame as half of the seminal synthpop/New Wave duo Soft Cell...
featuring the My Life Story Orchestra) - "Love Me TenderLove Me Tender (song)"Love Me Tender" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Elvis Presley Music, adapted from the tune of "Aura Lee" , a sentimental Civil War ballad.- History :...
" (2004) - "Oh My PapaOh My Pa-Pa (O Mein Papa)"O mein Papa" is a German song, as related by a young woman remembering her beloved, once-famous clown father. It was written by Swiss composer Paul Burkhard in 1939 for the musical Der Schwarze Hecht , reproduced in 1950 as Feuerwerk to a libretto by Erik Charell, Jürg Amstein, and Robert Gilbert...
" (2004) - "The Bells Of Christmas Day" (2008)
- (Canada chart positions from RPM MagazineRPM (magazine)RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
)
- (Canada chart positions from RPM Magazine
External links
- P.J. Proby's Official Website (includes soundclips, downloads, bookings information & press kit)
- House Of Proby Official Website (includes tour dates, illustrated life story and news forum)
- P.J. Proby's MySpace profile