Jim Armstrong (guitarist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Armstrong
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Armstrong circa 1966
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| Background information | |
| Born | 24 July 1944 Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Associated acts | Them |
James Armstrong (born on July 24, 1944) is a talented guitarist from Northern Ireland. He is known for his amazing guitar skills.
Jim Armstrong started his music journey when he was still a schoolboy. He played in a popular band called The Melotones in Belfast. In the mid-1960s, Jim played and recorded music with Van Morrison and the famous band Them. They traveled all over Europe and America. Jim even lived in America for four years, playing and recording music.
He played on more than half of the 51 songs recorded by Van Morrison and Them between 1964 and 1966. While in America, Jim met and played with other legendary musicians. These included Jim Morrison and The Doors, Captain Beefheart, and Frank Zappa. During this exciting time, Jim Armstrong was voted the third best guitarist in the world! Only Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa were ranked higher than him.
Contents
Jim's Bands and Collaborations
After leaving Them in 1969, Jim Armstrong joined up with singer Kenny McDowell again. They formed a band called Sk'Boo. Later, Jim and Kenny started a new band called Truth in Chicago. They also had bassist Curtis Bachman and drummer Reno Smith. Ray Elliott, who played keyboards and other instruments for Them, also joined Truth.
In the late 1970s, Jim played guitar for a Northern Irish rock band called Light. He also went on a short tour of Germany with a version of Them 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.
Music Career and Later Years
Back home in Northern Ireland, Jim Armstrong was a very popular session musician. This means he was often hired to play on other people's records and projects. He worked with Ulster Television, BBC Television, and various radio stations.
In the 1990s, Jim toured for nine years with a band called '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 different types of music throughout his career. However, his main love is the blues. As of 2015, Jim Armstrong lives in Las Vegas, USA. He moved there after a health issue while touring with his band in Germany.
Discography
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)
Truth
- Of Them & Other Tales (1995)
Light
- The Break / Castles in the Sand (1978)
- Light (1979)
- Dry Your Eyes / Turn Out The Light (1980)
Sk'Boo
- It's A Hard Road / Music Is Life / Talking Pictures-God's Peace in Mind (1982)
Them – The Belfast Blues Band
- Live in Europe '96 (1997)
- Them 2000 (2001)
Jim Armstrong Band
- Live in Belfast (2003)
- 100% X VOL (2005)
