S03E06 - Jamie James Talks Concerts, Musical Inspiration, and His New Album
Jamie James takes us on a journey through his remarkable career, from his early days leading The Kingbees to playing alongside Hollywood legends like Harry Dean Stanton and Dennis Quaid. He shares stories of rock and roll mayhem, including a wild gig with AC/DC and ZZ Top that took an unexpected turn. With a deep love for rockabilly and roots music, Jamie reflects on the musical influences that shaped his sound and the moments that defined his path as an artist. In this conversation, Jamie also delves into the formation of Dennis Quade’s band, The Sharks and his experiences collaborating with some of the industry's most fascinating figures. He recalls the energy of the L.A. music scene and the friendships that fueled his artistic journey. Whether performing in intimate venues or alongside iconic performers, Jamie’s passion for music has never wavered, and he offers an inside look at the highs and lows of life on the road. A major turning point came when Jamie faced a life-threatening health scare that forced him to step back and reassess his creative direction. Emerging from this experience with a renewed sense of purpose, he found inspiration in songwriting once again. Now, with his latest album, Ain’t No Big Thing, Jamie returns with a collection of songs that reflect his journey, blending raw energy with heartfelt storytelling. His story is one of resilience, reinvention, and an enduring love for making music.
Seeing Them Live · Charles Zona, Jamie James
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Show Notes
Jamie James, guitarist, singer, and songwriter, joins Charles on Seeing Them Live to discuss his musical journey and new album Straight Up, released on Oglio Records.
Jamie reflects on his early musical influences, growing up in Woodstock, Ontario, and his transition from aspiring hockey player to musician after a knee injury. He shares how he taught himself guitar on a damaged acoustic and recalls receiving his first real guitar as a Christmas gift in 1966.
The conversation turns to Jamie’s formative concert experiences, including seeing Tommy James and the Shondells, Deep Purple, Sly and the Family Stone, The Who, and an early performance by Queen in a small London club. Jamie describes how these shows influenced his approach to live performance.
He recounts his time in the 1970s rock scene, playing with various bands before joining the New Steppenwolf in 1977. After leaving the New Steppenwolf, Jamie formed The Kingbees, an ‘80s rockabilly trio that gained a cult following.
A favorable review in LA Weekly helped them gain popularity, attracting large crowds to their shows. He discusses their unique rockabilly-inspired style, which predated the Stray Cats and MTV, and his personal shift toward a Buddy Holly-influenced guitar approach. Jamie also shares anecdotes about the LA music scene, recalling interactions with The Blasters and Blackie Dammett, father of Anthony Kiedis, who became an informal emcee for The Kingbees.
Additionally, he recounts signing with RSO Records in 1980, initially seeing little success until their song My Mistake gained radio traction in Detroit. This newfound exposure led to major performance opportunities, including a replacement slot at the Toledo Speedway Jam alongside ZZ Top, AC/DC, and Sammy Hagar; a wild gig that took an unexpected turn involving a whiskey bottle that injured an audience member.
After the Kingbees disbanded in 1981, Jamie pursued a solo career, but his EP failed to resonate with him. A chance encounter with actor Harry Dean Stanton at a July 4th gathering led to a close friendship and musical collaboration that lasted for years. Jamie formed a band with Stanton, regularly performing at The Lighthouse and The Mint. Later, he connected with actor Dennis Quaid, leading to the formation of The Sharks, a band that endured for nearly 20 years.
A severe health scare in 2020 prompted Jamie to recommit to songwriting, leading to the creation of new music during the Covid pandemic. Despite financial challenges, his bandmates were eventually drawn in by the strength of his songs, paving the way for his latest album, Ain’t No Big Thing (https://oglio.com/).
Jamie’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and an enduring love for making music.
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