Bio
Top Jimmy, also known as the "Beloved Blues Beast of L.A.", rolled onto the L.A. underground music scene more than two decades ago setting the standard for blues players everywhere. He has set more feet to stompin' and butt's to rockin' with an unprecedented run of 64 straight mondays at the now defunked Cathay de Grande. Blue Mondays was more than a jam, it was The Music Event. The people who have come through, sat in and played with Jimmy and his band are a who's who of music. These names include the likes of; John Doe and Exene of X; Dave Alvin of the Blasters and X; Gene Taylor of Canned Heat and The Fabulous Thunderbirds; members of Los Lobos who later became floating members of Jimmy's band; Percy Mayfeild; Albert Collins; Vince Neil; Tom Waits; Bonnie Bramlett; Wendy O'Williams; Sir Douglas; Koko Taylor; Belinda Carlisle; and Stevie Ray Vaughan with Maria McKee singing her heart out learning her chops. It was more than a memorable occasion. It's no wonder why David Lee Roth immortalized Top Jimmy in his song "Top Jimmy" on Van Halen's 1984 self titled album.
Top Jimmy also did a show stopping performance of "Road House Blues" with the remaining members of The Doors at the "No One Gets Out Of Here Alive" release party. As Ray Manzarek said, "That's it , no one can top that." Top Jimmy was honored at the 1983 L.A. Street Scene when he was chosen as the one and only white boy to sing with the Living Legends of The Blues. He sang a duet of "frankie and Johnny" with Big Joe Turner in front of 200,000 people. For twenty years Top Jimmy has been rockin the house. When not sidetracked by going back to Kentucky to care for his sister Mary, Jimmy can be found bringing the blues to wherever he is.
Now all is well and a true American treasure is on the road makin us feel good again. In the last several years performing on shows with ZZ Top, Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne. Looks like Top's back on top!
Produced by R.J. Vasquez