Jim Armstrong (guitarist) facts for kids

James Armstrong (born 24 July 1944) is a talented guitarist from Northern Ireland. He has been playing music for many years, starting when he was just a schoolboy.

Jim Armstrong began his music journey in Belfast. He played with a popular band called The Melotones. In the mid-1960s, he joined Them, a famous band with singer Van Morrison. Jim toured with Them in Europe and America. He even lived in America for four years, playing and recording music.

While in America, Jim met and played with other legendary musicians. These included Jim Morrison from The Doors, Captain Beefheart, and Frank Zappa. During this time, Jim Armstrong was recognized as one of the best guitarists in the world. He was voted the 3rd best, right after Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa!

Musical Journey and Bands

After leaving Them in 1969, Jim Armstrong continued to make music. He teamed up with singer Kenny McDowell in a band called Sk'Boo. Later, Jim and Kenny formed a new band called Truth in Chicago. They also had Ray Elliott, who played keyboards and other instruments, join them.

In the late 1970s, Jim played guitar with a Northern Irish rock band called Light. He also joined a short tour with Them in Germany in 1979. In the 1980s, Jim and Kenny McDowell played together again with a reformed Sk'Boo. They often performed at the Errigle Inn in Belfast.

Session Work and Later Years

When Jim was at home in Northern Ireland, he worked for the civil service. He was also a very popular session musician. This means other musicians would hire him to play on their recordings. He worked on many local records and projects for TV and radio stations.

In the 1990s, Jim toured for nine years with a version of 'Them – The Belfast Blues Band'. After that, he formed his own group, the Jim Armstrong Band. This band included Scottish singer Jim Gilchrist, bass player Ali McKenzie, and drummer Siggi Heilek. Jim has played many types of music, but his favorite is the blues. In 2015, he moved to Las Vegas in the U.S.

Music Jim Armstrong Played On

This section lists some of the albums and songs Jim Armstrong played on with different bands.

With Them

• Them Again (1966)
  • Call My Name / Bring 'em on In (1966)
  • Richard Cory / Don't You Know (1966)
  • Dirty Old Man (At The Age of Sixteen) / Square Room (1967)
  • Walking in the Queen's Garden / I Happen To Love You (1967)
• Now and "Them" (1968)
  • But It's Alright / Square Room (1968)
• Time Out! Time in For Them (1968)
  • Waltz of the Flies / We've All Agreed To Help (1969)
  • Corina / Dark Are The Shadows (1969)

With Truth

• Of Them & Other Tales (1995) (These songs were recorded between 1969 and 1970).

With Light

• The Break / Castles in the Sand (1978)
• Light (1979)
• Dry Your Eyes / Turn Out The Light (1980)

With Sk'Boo

• It's A Hard Road / Music Is Life / Talking Pictures-God's Peace in Mind (1982)

With Them – The Belfast Blues Band

• Live in Europe '96 (1997) (Sold only at live concerts)
• Them 2000 (2001) (Sold only at live concerts)

With Jim Armstrong Band

• Live in Belfast (2003) (Sold only at live concerts)
• 100% X VOL (2005) (Sold only at live concerts)