Friday, September 24, 2010

Jimmie Spheeris

Artist: Jimmie Spheeris
LP: Isle of View
Song: "I Am the Mercury"
[ listen ]

Here's another cool record I found while digging through the used bins last week. Jimmie Spheeris was born in Phoenix City, Alabama at the end of 1949. His father Andrew, who operated a traveling carnival called "The Majick Empire," was murdered by a disgruntled carnival-goer, and after that his mother took the family out west to California. Jimmie later went to New York City to work on his music career, releasing four LPs throughout the 1970s. Sadly, Spheeris was killed by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle in the wee hours of Independence Day, 1984. He is survived by his sister Peneolope, who directed "Wayne's World," and cousin Costa-Gavras, who's made some great political thrillers like "Z" and "Missing." You can read more about the all-too-brief life and career of Jimmie Spheeris here, and visit the Jimmie Spheeris Memorial Gallery here, where you can watch a nice one-minute video tribute to the handsome and talented singer. ps: say this album's title really fast for a big surprise!

[ Jimmie Spheeris: November 5, 1949 — July 4, 1984 ]

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