Jimmy McCulloch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmy McCulloch
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McCulloch on stage with Wings in 1976
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James McCulloch |
| Born | 4 June 1953 Dumbarton, Scotland |
| Died | 25 September 1979 (aged 26) Maida Vale, London, England |
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| Years active | 1967–1979 |
James "Jimmy" McCulloch (born 4 June 1953 – died 25 September 1979) was a talented Scottish musician. He was best known for playing lead guitar and bass for Paul McCartney's band, Wings. He was a member of Wings from 1974 to 1977.
Before joining Wings, Jimmy was part of other bands. These included One in a Million (originally called the Jaygars), Thunderclap Newman, and Stone the Crows. He also played on many albums for other artists. For example, he played lead guitar on John Entwistle's album Whistle Rymes in 1972. He also played guitar on Roger Daltrey's album One of the Boys in 1977.
Jimmy was a friend of the famous band the Who. He was also a member of Thunderclap Newman, a band created by his mentor, Pete Townshend from The Who. When he was just 11 years old, Jimmy was also taught by the Shadows' Hank Marvin. Jimmy's brother, Jack McCulloch, is a drummer.
Biography
Jimmy McCulloch was born in Dumbarton, Scotland. He grew up in Clydebank and Cumbernauld. When Jimmy was 13, his family moved to London. He was inspired by the famous guitarist Django Reinhardt. Jimmy started playing the guitar when he was 11.
His first public performance was as a guitarist for a band called the Jaygars. This band later changed its name to One in a Million. In 1967, One in a Million played live to support The Who during their tour in Scotland. That same year, One in a Million released a single called "Fredereek Hernando"/"Double Sight." This single is now very rare and valuable. A CD collection of their songs, called Double Sight, was released in 2009.
In April 1967, Jimmy played lead guitar at a big event in London. It was called The 14 Hour Technicolour Dream. Later that year, he played guitar for One in a Million at various places in London.
Rising to Fame
Jimmy became well-known in 1969 when he joined Thunderclap Newman. This band included Pete Townshend's friends, Andy 'Thunderclap' Newman and John 'Speedy' Keen. The band had a number one hit song in the UK that year called "Something in the Air."
Thunderclap Newman also released an album called Hollywood Dream. The main instrumental song on the album was written by Jimmy and his brother. The album sold well, but not as much as their hit single. The band toured England, Scotland, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia from January to April 1971. They broke up shortly after.
In October 1971, Jimmy played guitar in concerts with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. They toured in England, Scotland, and Germany. On 31 October 1971, Jimmy's own band, Bent Frame, played its first show in London. The band later changed its name to the Jimmy McCulloch Band. They toured England and Scotland in early 1972. By this time, Jimmy had also done studio work for many other musicians.
In June 1972, Jimmy joined the blues rock band Stone the Crows. He replaced their guitarist Les Harvey. Jimmy helped Stone the Crows finish their album Ontinuous Performance. He played on two songs: "Sunset Cowboy" and "Good Time Girl." Stone the Crows broke up in June 1973.
In 1973, Jimmy played guitar on John Keen's album, Previous Convictions. He also spent a short time in the band Blue. He also played guitar on Brian Joseph Friel's first album, using the name 'The Phantom'.
Paul McCartney & Wings
Jimmy McCulloch first met Paul McCartney in August 1973. He joined Paul McCartney's band, Wings, in August 1974. His first song with them was "Junior's Farm." Jimmy also wrote music for some songs on Wings' albums. He sang on some of these songs too.
While he was with Wings, Jimmy started another band called White Line. His brother Jack played drums, and Dave Clarke played bass, keyboards, and sang. They played several surprise concerts. They also released a single called "Call My Name"/"Too Many Miles." A full album of their songs, White Line – Complete, was released in 1994. Jimmy McCulloch and White Line appeared on a British TV show called Supersonic in 1976. Jimmy also recorded and produced songs for another band, The Khyber Trifles. He sometimes played live with them. He also played guitar on albums for Roy Harper and Ricci Martin in 1977.
In September 1977, Jimmy left Wings. He joined the reformed band Small Faces for their tour of England. He played guitar on the Small Faces' album, 78 in the Shade. In early 1978, Jimmy started a band called Wild Horses. He was with Brian Robertson, Jimmy Bain, and Kenney Jones. However, both Jimmy and Kenney left the band soon after. In 1979, Jimmy joined the Dukes. His last recorded song, "Heartbreaker," appeared on their only album, The Dukes.
Jimmy was known for his melodic guitar playing, which had a strong blues feel. He usually played a Gibson SG and a Gibson Les Paul guitar. He sometimes played bass guitar when Paul McCartney or Denny Laine were playing piano or acoustic guitar. For acoustic guitar, he used Ovation acoustic guitars.
In 2021, a TV show called The Repair Shop featured two special platinum discs. These discs were given to Jimmy for his work on the Wings albums Wings at the Speed of Sound and Wings over America. His cousin brought them in to be restored.
Death
On 27 September 1979, Jimmy McCulloch was found dead by his brother. He was in his flat in Maida Vale, London. He was 26 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Jimmy McCulloch para niños
