Official PJ Proby Forum

I've just been on YouTube listening to Peter James as well as several recordings from Dick Glsser and I think the voices are a perfect match.

Leanne.

That's funny, I've done the same! I also think there's a strong resemblance between PJs voice and Dick Glasser. It would also explain why we never heard anything else from Peter James. Dick Glasser was not interested in a carreer as a singer. He was too shy! His strength was producing. And he was in charge of the Liberty songs from Metric Music....

Manja

Hi guys,
Dick Glasser/Dick Lory was a good singer but some of those performances by Peter James were, I think, a class above Dick's vocal offerings.Dick was ultra talented in other departments of course.When I listen to Peter he sometimes comes over as a black vocalist because he's got soul.Then again it's not just black singers that have soul in their hearts & voices...just listen to some of P.J.'s performances.So to me nothing has changed...I do not know who Peter James was but I'd love the puzzle to be solved!
Ron

Hi everyone,
In a posting on this forum on the 24th May Manja told us that P.J. had listened to 6 recordings made by a male vocalist in the 60's with the name Peter James.After listening P.J. said "It's not me"
I & 99.9% of loyal his fans agreed with him & had known this fact for years,the argument has been going on for a long time with one or two people still thinking it was P.J.
With P.J. officially denying it one would think it was the end of the story,.........next step being let's find out who Peter James really is!
But no!! one P.I.T.A is still being merry awkward & saying P.J. is not telling the truth & he IS Peter James.Or her other theory is that P.J. cannot remember for some reason actually cutting one or more of the songs attributed to Peter James. I think both theories of hers are not very complimentary to P.J. & have told the lady so on youtube.But as I'm not, in her words, "the official P.J.Proby spokesman" she discounts my comments.Could you Manja please officially confirm once more that P.J. did deny he was Peter James whilst you were there with him at the moment he heard those songs.Then just maybe this lady will read your message, accept the truth,apologise to P.J. & then drop the subject for good!
Thanks,
Ron

Hi Ron,

I'm sure everybody in that so called discussion is aware of my posting here of 24 May. It's no use repeating myself. Some people are not interested in a real discussion, but just want to hear themselves talking and like to know better than PJ himself. It's of no interest to me.

For our own discussion here I can add that since listening to the first 6 Peter James songs, PJ has also listened to Feelings on YouTube. He was quite amazed and intrigued.
The arranger Ernie Freeman and the backing musicians are the same that PJ used to work with. They were so close friends that he recognises each and every one of the musicians. It's a pity Sharon Sheeley isn't alive anymore, as she would have known exactly. The whole Liberty lot like Dick Glasser and Al Bennett must have known who Peter James was!

As a contribution to the discussion from myself I would like to add the possibility that Feelings was actually recorded much earlier than 1966, as I would expect PJs musicians to have moved on to other things by then.

I hope one day we'll discover the true identity of Peter James!

Manja

Hi Manja,
Thanks for that! As you say some people think they know more than P.J. himself & there is no way we can change that! Ignore it most certainly but change it no!
There is a real P.J. connection to some of the songs recorded by Peter i.e the musicians,arrangers etc. it's uncanny.He is a wonderful singer & he certainly should have found fame & fortune.I have contacted Jackie DeShannon about Peter & am awaiting(hopefully) an answer.I've also recently contacted Andrew Loog Oldham for some info on Peter as Andrew produced a Reprise single by Peter in 1965, "Stage Door/People Say".
Peter James released 7 singles in all.....the latest one I have discovered was in 1966 on the Warner Bros label "Hung On To Your Lovin'/Sunset Strip".
take care,
Ron

I have just uploaded Peter James´ Opportunity on Youtube. Here is my text following the song:

Peter James sings Opportunity. Released as Reprise 0460 in 1966. Opportunity is written by Joyner, Harschman and Marascalco. Arranged by Jimmy Bowen and produced by Don Lanier.

Excuse the surfacenoise, but it is a gem, reminding a bit of Save the last dance for me. I have ripped this song from a record manufactured in New Zealand 1966.

My third upload of a Peter James-song. But who is Peter James??? Why isn´t there any information about him??? Is it his real name???

Peter James worked with internationally wellknown figures like Jack Nitzsche, Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Bowen, Snuff Garrett, Sharon Sheeley, Andrew Loog Oldham...and yet he remains a mystery!!!

Hi Peter,
"Opportunity"......another great song by Peter James.I am absolutely flabbergasted that we still do not know who this guy is!!
I have a big collection of 60's music papers & books but I have not found one mention of him anywhere.If he didn't get any publicity at the time then it's hardly a surprise he did not make it to the top.What a voice & what a shame he never made it big!
Thanks for the song Peter(both of you!)
Ron

I thought getting Brian Matthew of "Sounds of the Sixties" involved might solve the problem about Peter James - I asked if he would play one of Peter's songs. He did today. I had never heard Peter singing - I didn't check him out on Youtube and I have to say it sounds like somebody trying to impersonate PJ - I can see why some people think it is him but I don't think his voice is rich enough. Take a listen to "Sounds of the Sixties" on the play again and have a listen to the whole record. Just a comment, you have to give wrong information to get something played on this programme - like getting the title of the song wrong!!!! Anyway Peter James sang for Reprise according to Brian Matthews, in 1965.
Did you also hear Terry Wogan play "Hold Me" a couple of weeks ago? I nearly fell out of bed. Maybe Radio 2 is coming round. Keep requesting guys, keep PJ's name in their minds.
Annie

Hi Annie,
Peter James made 7 singles I think for various record labels between 1961 & 1966. He was very, very good but only on perhaps minimum of 2 of the 14 songs he recorded does he sound anything like P.J.
I'm amazed that no-one knows anything about him or whatever became of him.. a real mystery.I don't even know if he was black or white!I've e-mailed Jackie De Shannon & Andrew Loog Oldham who both worked with Peter but so far no reply!!
The mystery continues......
Ron

Hi Ron and Peter,

It would be nice to get the mystery solved. I just had an idea. How about one of you writing a little piece for Wikipedia, with all the information you've got? The seven singles plus all the information, plus mentioning of the people Peter James worked with. There is a good chance someone that was involved and knows more about him, finds this on Google and will decide to react. He may even react himself! You can also mention the link to this forum topic for comments. Of course it's always good Proby publicity to mention the resemblance in singing.

Good Luck!

Manja

I have just uploaded the extremely rare Peter James´ People Say on Youtube. Written and produced by former Rolling Stones-manager Andrew Loog Oldham in 1965.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl02PoT3mdM

People Say is arranged and conducted by David Whitaker who is quoted in Oldhams book 2Stoned::

"Andrew wanted me to go to Los Angeles to record a local lad
called Peter James for Reprise"

Sadly that's the only info. on Peter James in either of Oldham's books.
But now we at least have one clue who he is, although we don´t know for sure he is using his real name when recording!

Peter

PS Annies initiative to get Peter James played by BBC is of course very valuable. But as can be seen on the Brian Matthews site not even he knows anything substantial about James!