Who was P.J. Proby?

[Whatsgoingon71]

I read in a book that this highly eccentric artist was yanked from appearing on
an episode of the "Shindig" show in 1965, after he split his pants wide open
while dancing wildly at a concert in England. I have looked and looked in the
rock music reference books and various webpages, and found nothing on him. I
just want to know what songs he recorded, and anyone's opinions on them.


Thanks!

Andrea

[JR13157]

I just want to know what songs he recorded, and anyone's opinions on them.

A much bigger star in UK than U.S. Four Top 10 hits there.. only 1 Top 40 hit
here. Hold Me (# 3 UK / #70 US)
Somewhere (#6 UK / #91 US)
Niki Hoeky (#23 US).
They accepted his first pants splitting but then it became a habit and they
didn't buy the "accident" story any more.
I thought Hold Me was good... and Niki Hoeky is a favorite. Coincidentaly, I
just put it on a CD compilation today.
A google search will turn up a number of sites... but I thought he had a lot
more police trouble than I'm finding...
Walt.

[Guillermo]

he sung a Lennon-McCartney Song... "That Means a lot"

[Record Geek]

I know the legendary Kim Fowley handled the promotional work for P.J. Proby
in the mid-sixties around 64'65'. Don't know if it was him who got the pants
splitting schtick going. I also understand he was an American export,
originally from Texas!!! Richie Blackmore played guitar for him on his
records as well.

http://www.recordgeek.com

Post by Whatsgoingon71
I read in a book that this highly eccentric artist was yanked from appearing on
an episode of the "Shindig" show in 1965, after he split his pants wide open
while dancing wildly at a concert in England. I have looked and looked in the
rock music reference books and various webpages, and found nothing on him.

I

Post by Whatsgoingon71
just want to know what songs he recorded, and anyone's opinions on them.
Thanks!
Andrea

[gold]

Post by Whatsgoingon71
I read in a book that this highly eccentric artist was yanked from appearing on
an episode of the "Shindig" show in 1965, after he split his pants wide open
while dancing wildly at a concert in England. I have looked and looked in the
rock music reference books and various webpages, and found nothing on him.

I

Post by Whatsgoingon71
just want to know what songs he recorded, and anyone's opinions on them.
Thanks!
Andrea

http://www.proby.co.uk/ - official page? - out of date
We would like to wish P.J. a
Happy 65th. Birthday
this coming November 6th.2003

3 New CD releases from P.J. on 1st. November 2003
Sentimental Journey
Wanted for singing Love Songs
Memories

Below are the tracks on the new CD only available through the website or by
telephone to 01970 611200

Mission Bells
Lonely Weekend
Hold Me
Medley Are you Lonesome Tonight
Yesterday
Without Love
Mystery Train
Hurt
Stagger Lee
Somewhere
1-2-3
Maria
American Trilogy
--------------------------

http://www.geocities.com/fabgear6366/proby.htm - more info

-----------------------------------

http://home.pi.net/~kilkens/pjstory.htm - more info

-------------------------------------------


on CD
P J Proby

In Town/Enigma - 2 fer

C-Five Records C5HCD 606

Compilation (p)© 1994 C-Five Records



If I Ruled The World

Some Enchanted Evening

Come Back to Me

No Other Love

Walk Hand In Hand

People

To Make A Big Man Cry

I'm Twenty Eight

Angelica

I Can't Make It Alone

It Ain't Necessarily So

We Kiss In A Shadow

People That's Why (I Sing My Song)

Maria

If I Could Write A Book

Niki Hoeky

Shake Shake Shake

What Kind Of fool Am I

You Make Me Feel Like Someone

Reach Out I'll Be There

That's The Tune

Out Of Time

Don't Forget About Me

I Wanna Thank You Baby

[Maria Bonfiglioli]

Post by Whatsgoingon71
I read in a book that this highly eccentric artist was yanked from appearing on
an episode of the "Shindig" show in 1965, after he split his pants wide open
while dancing wildly at a concert in England. I have looked and looked in the
rock music reference books and various webpages, and found nothing on him. I
just want to know what songs he recorded, and anyone's opinions on them.
Thanks!
Andrea

I think his real name was James Marcus Smith, born in Texas.
he recorded several albums for Liberty Records.
I remember seeing him on "Ready , Steady, Go", the British
rock show in the 60s. Later in his career, he did an album
with the band Focus entitled "Focus Con Proby" which was released on
the EMI HARVEST label.

[Dr. Robert]

PJ Proby is an American export to the UK in the 60's. He had/has a long
pony tail and did sort of a pseudo-sexy-Sixties thing.
He never really made it hear at all - I think he charted high up, but he
just didn't catch on in the US, while in the UK he was huge. He still
performs.
BTW, Vic Flick played the very cool lead guitar part on "Hold Me."
Best,
Dr. Robert

Post by Maria Bonfiglioli

Post by Whatsgoingon71
I read in a book that this highly eccentric artist was yanked from appearing on
an episode of the "Shindig" show in 1965, after he split his pants wide open
while dancing wildly at a concert in England. I have looked and looked in the
rock music reference books and various webpages, and found nothing on him. I
just want to know what songs he recorded, and anyone's opinions on them.
Thanks!
Andrea

I think his real name was James Marcus Smith, born in Texas.
he recorded several albums for Liberty Records.
I remember seeing him on "Ready , Steady, Go", the British
rock show in the 60s. Later in his career, he did an album
with the band Focus entitled "Focus Con Proby" which was released on
the EMI HARVEST label.

[Mike Mooney]

Post by Maria Bonfiglioli

Post by Whatsgoingon71
I read in a book that this highly eccentric artist was yanked from appearing on
an episode of the "Shindig" show in 1965, after he split his pants wide open
while dancing wildly at a concert in England. I have looked and looked in the
rock music reference books and various webpages, and found nothing on him. I
just want to know what songs he recorded, and anyone's opinions on them.
Thanks!
Andrea

I think his real name was James Marcus Smith, born in Texas.
he recorded several albums for Liberty Records.
I remember seeing him on "Ready , Steady, Go", the British
rock show in the 60s. Later in his career, he did an album
with the band Focus entitled "Focus Con Proby" which was released on
the EMI HARVEST label.

Whatever Happened To PJ Proby?

(Music & Lyrics by Van Morrison)

Whatever happened to PJ Proby?
Wonder can you fix it Jim
Where the hell do you think is Scott Walker?
My memory's getting so dim

Don't have no frame of reference no more
Not even Screaming Lord Sutch
Without him now there's no Raving Loony Party
Nowadays I guess there's not much

To relate to anymore
Unless you wanna be mediocre
Ain't nothing new under the sun
And the moon and the stars now chum

****

I'm not sure if PJP is still alive, but a few years back he was living as a
semi-destitute in a caravan (trailer for USA-ians) just up the road from me
here in West Yorkshire.

Mike M

[Whatsgoingon71]

Thanks so much for the information--I guess I didn't look hard enough! P.J.
looks just like Paul Revere--ponytail and all! I
also got a chance to hear samples of his songs during a visit to Barnes and
Noble's music department, and I'm thinking about getting a CD of P.J. I can
say one thing--he really put some spice in those dreary love ballads that have
been sounding like funeral dirges.

Andrea

[Regina Litman]

Post by Whatsgoingon71
Thanks so much for the information--I guess I didn't look hard enough! P.J.
looks just like Paul Revere--ponytail and all!

The Raider with the ponytail was lead singer Mark Lindsay, not Paul Revere.

[Whatsgoingon71]

Post by Regina Litman
The Raider with the ponytail was lead singer Mark Lindsay, not Paul Revere.

Oops! Wrong name--I did mean Mark! Sorry about the mistake!

Andrea

[2nz]

Subject: Re: Who was P.J. Proby?
Date: 1/16/04 11:48 PM Mountain Standard Time
Thanks so much for the information--I guess I didn't look hard enough! P.J.
looks just like Paul Revere--ponytail and all! I
also got a chance to hear samples of his songs during a visit to Barnes and
Noble's music department, and I'm thinking about getting a CD of P.J. I can
say one thing--he really put some spice in those dreary love ballads that have
been sounding like funeral dirges.

I believe he also did vocals on some demos for Elvis.




"There's an itch in my brain (and I can't get at it)"

[Brian Watson]

Post by Whatsgoingon71
Thanks so much for the information--I guess I didn't look hard enough!

P.J.

Post by Whatsgoingon71
looks just like Paul Revere--ponytail and all! I
also got a chance to hear samples of his songs during a visit to Barnes and
Noble's music department, and I'm thinking about getting a CD of P.J. I can
say one thing--he really put some spice in those dreary love ballads that have
been sounding like funeral dirges.

Yes, damn fine singer whose career got derailed over a silly little thing.

;-)

Try to find a copy of him singing "Somewhere" from West Side Story.

His "high (and slightly camp) drama" approach to singing has a lot in common
with Meatloaf.
--
Brian
"What's the point in growing up if you can't behave like a kid when you want
to."

[Sheila]

Post by Brian Watson

Post by Whatsgoingon71
Thanks so much for the information--I guess I didn't look hard enough!

P.J.

Post by Whatsgoingon71
looks just like Paul Revere--ponytail and all! I
also got a chance to hear samples of his songs during a visit to Barnes

and

Post by Whatsgoingon71
Noble's music department, and I'm thinking about getting a CD of P.J. I

can

Post by Whatsgoingon71
say one thing--he really put some spice in those dreary love ballads

that

Post by Brian Watson
have

Post by Whatsgoingon71
been sounding like funeral dirges.

Yes, damn fine singer whose career got derailed over a silly little thing.
;-)
Try to find a copy of him singing "Somewhere" from West Side Story.
His "high (and slightly camp) drama" approach to singing has a lot in common
with Meatloaf.
--
Brian
"What's the point in growing up if you can't behave like a kid when you want
to."

Saw him perform about 2 years ago, in Southport, is still absolutely
fantastic, although has grey hair now! I believe he still lives in the north
of England, (somewhere around Manchester, Bolton area, in a 2 up 2 down
terrace (so I was told) ) and still likes the pop!

Sheila

[Andy Ross]

Piggy-backing here, as it seemed as good a place as any, since you have some
up-to-date info on the wonderful P J P.

Andrea, I do hope you get to hear his recordings a few times...he is such a
fantastic purveyor of totally OTT pop...I just had to laugh at Brian's
comment about PJP being 'slightly camp', e.g. on 'Somewhere'...he's
magnificently, ludicrously, prodigiously and unapologetically (even when
singing 'I Apologise') the absolute quintessence of camp, raised to the
power of 2!!

Sheila, I so wish I had the chance to see him live, as you did, so recently.
I can't imagine being able to knock on his door in Bolton and telling him
how much I loved his work - what a hoot it'd be, as I have to believe he has
a great sense of humour.

Listening to 'Together' as I write...it's magic!..it's bollox!..it's fun!

Andy

Post by Brian Watson

Post by Brian Watson

Post by Whatsgoingon71
Thanks so much for the information--I guess I didn't look hard enough!

P.J.

Post by Whatsgoingon71
looks just like Paul Revere--ponytail and all! I
also got a chance to hear samples of his songs during a visit to Barnes

and

Post by Whatsgoingon71
Noble's music department, and I'm thinking about getting a CD of P.J.

I

Post by Brian Watson

Post by Brian Watson
can

Post by Whatsgoingon71
say one thing--he really put some spice in those dreary love ballads

that

Post by Brian Watson
have

Post by Whatsgoingon71
been sounding like funeral dirges.

Yes, damn fine singer whose career got derailed over a silly little thing.
;-)
Try to find a copy of him singing "Somewhere" from West Side Story.
His "high (and slightly camp) drama" approach to singing has a lot in

common

Post by Brian Watson
with Meatloaf.
--
Brian
"What's the point in growing up if you can't behave like a kid when you

want

Post by Brian Watson
to."

Saw him perform about 2 years ago, in Southport, is still absolutely
fantastic, although has grey hair now! I believe he still lives in the north
of England, (somewhere around Manchester, Bolton area, in a 2 up 2 down
terrace (so I was told) ) and still likes the pop!
Sheila

[Intheway1]

There is a very good profile of Proby in the 2003 Oxford American music issue.
The story is not available on line, but it is worth finding a copy of the
issue, if just for the free CD, which includes Niky Hoeky.

Fred

[King Pineapple]

Post by Whatsgoingon71
I read in a book that this highly eccentric artist was yanked from appearing on
an episode of the "Shindig" show in 1965, after he split his pants wide open
while dancing wildly at a concert in England. I have looked and looked in the
rock music reference books and various webpages, and found nothing on him.

I

Post by Whatsgoingon71
just want to know what songs he recorded, and anyone's opinions on them.

Here's a bit of trivia for you all. Legendary 1960s comedy group Firesign
Theatre made an obscure reference to PJ Proby in one of their later albums.
They actually named a consumer product after him!

Can anyone here name me the album and what they put his name on?


Craig