Seen here performing on the South Parade Pier in 1983, Steve Spurgin photos
Danny Rolands drums, Derek Wells guitar, Pete Britcher Bass,
Jimmy Russell aka Shakin Jimmy guitar/vocals, Kevin Stedman vocals 1987
A few Facebook comments
Strong as an Ox. Lovely chap.
He used to clean the windows for strings music shop remember him doing them when it was in Albert Road. He always was on a pushbike.
Shakin Jimmy was a gentle giant played in JUKE BOX JIVE 1987
He used to ride through the doors of the barn at the Milton arms on his bike and mime to an Elvis track which Frantic Fran was playing.
Hed have the gear broke down PA speakers each hand amazing strong as an ox was always friendly, laughing and helpful ❤
Who doesn't remember Shakin Jimmy, such a gentle giant with a huge zest for life.
RIP Jimmy, your not forgotten.
Good chap was Jimmy remember him well
He was a real character, well known on the local rock n roll scene for his energetic dancing.
An except from A CURE FOR GRAVITY by Joe Jackson
Then Dave who does all the talking and could probably have yet another career in stand-up comedy, if he wanted, announces a special treat. Ladies and gentlemen, Portsmouth’s very own, Shakin' Jimmy! I've heard of this guy, but never seen him in action until now. He sits in with local bands here and there, and bands always welcome him warmly to the stage, not so much, I suspect, because of his musical ability as the fact that Jimmy is a very big bloke.
Big and determined, his acoustic guitar looks like a ukulele on him, and if he helps you pack up your gear, you will find that any hardware involving wing nuts or screws have been snapped and bent into submission. Jimmy's speciality is Elvis numbers, and tonight we get a passable version of "Gotta Lotta Livin' to Do." We're spared the legendary spectacle of Jimmy doing the splits, though. Just as well.
I don't think the stage in this place could take it. Shakin' Jimmy's most impressive performance, though, comes at the end of the evening, when he packs up and leaves. He does his own solo gigs, you see, playing electric or, as he says, a lectric guitar rather than a acoustic one, so he needs an amp, a PA system, a drum machine, and some presumably very heavy-duty stands. And he's built a little trailer, which he tows behind his bicycle. Jimmy piles everything on to it, and away he goes. The last we see of him is a fluorescent "Long Vehicle" sign disappearing into the misty night.
1962 - 7th September 1996.
|