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Jimmy Crawford (British singer)

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Jimmy Crawford
Birth nameRonald James William Crawford Lindsay
Born(1937-11-18)18 November 1937
Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
Died24 July 2024(2024-07-24) (aged 86)
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
GenresPop
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active1960s–1970s
LabelsColumbia

Ronald James William Crawford Lindsay (18 November 1937 – 24 July 2024), known professionally as Jimmy Crawford, was an English pop music singer. He is best known for his cover version of "I Love How You Love Me" (1961).

Life and career

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Crawford was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England on 18 November 1937.[1] He was educated at the Central Technical School in Sheffield, and later worked as a draughtsman at Davy United. Crawford was a competition swimmer, after learning to overcome his fear of the water during his spell of National service in the Army. Crawford was a contemporary of fellow Sheffield-born singer, Dave Berry.

He formed his first band, Ron Lindsay and the Coasters, and played in local clubs,[2] but found chart success as a solo artist.[3] Signed to a recording contract with Columbia, he released "Love or Money" in June 1961.[4] It spent one week at No. 49 in the UK Singles Chart.[3] His second release garnered his biggest hit. Crawford's cover version of the American hit, "I Love How You Love Me", had originally been recorded by The Paris Sisters.[5] Crawford's effort peaked at No. 18 in November the same year, spending a total of ten weeks in the UK listings.[3] His third single, "I Shoulda Listened to Mama" was released in May 1962, but failed to reach the chart.[3][4]

In 1962, Crawford sang "Take It Easy" and appeared in the film, Play It Cool, also starring Billy Fury and Shane Fenton.[5]

He formed Jimmy Crawford and the Ravens,[6] quickly followed by Jimmy Crawford and the Messengers in early 1963. He later joined forces with Jim Ryder to perform as Jimmy Crawford with the Chantelles. Over the years his backing band was variously known as The Jimmy Crawford Four and The Jimmy Crawford Blend. Crawford toured Australia for six months in 1977, with Jim Ryder (guitar), Gary Lawson (keyboards) and Barry Page (drums).[4]

He and his wife Maureen were involved in a serious traffic collision in March 2005, although both eventually recovered from the ordeal.[4] Crawford died in Chesterfield, Derbyshire on 24 July 2024, at the age of 86.[7][8][9][10]

Other versions and appearances

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Crawford's recording of "Love or Money", which was produced by Frank Barber (who also produced Ricky Valance's "Tell Laura I Love Her"), appeared on the 1961 British Hit Parade, Pt. 2: April–September compilation album, along with another version by The Blackwells.[11]

"I Love How You Love Me" was also a UK chart hit for Maureen Evans in 1964 reaching No. 34,[12] and for Paul and Barry Ryan in 1966 at No. 21.[13] However, Crawford's own version has appeared on many compilation albums in the ensuing years, and numerous on-line marital and romance firms have used his version.[5]

See also

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Discography

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Chart singles

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Year Title B-side UK Singles Chart[3]
1961 "Love or Money"[14][15]
(Dewayne Blackwell)
"Does My Heartache Show"
(John D. Loudermilk)
49
"I Love How You Love Me"[16]
(Barry Mann, Larry Kolber)
"Our Last Embrace"
(Carol Carter, Ray Evans)
18

[17]

References

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  1. ^ "NOVEMBER: Birthdays and Deaths". Bittersuiteband.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  2. ^ Hale, Don (2010). Sounds of the 60s – Don Hale – Google Books. Don Hale. ISBN 9781907163227. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 125. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^ a b c d "All The Acts / Bands Who Played The Kinema Ballroom Dunfermline – 'C'". Kinemagigz.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Chadbourne, Eugene. "Jimmy Crawford – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  6. ^ Clayson, Alan (2001). George Harrison – Alan Clayson – Google Books. Sanctuary. ISBN 9781860743498. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Ronald Lindsay". Forever Missed. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Sad Death of Jimmy Crawford". Dronfield Eye on Facebook. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  9. ^ "In Our August Issue of The Beat". Woolleys Beat. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  10. ^ Hamilton, Kirsty (10 August 2024). "Jimmy Crawford: Tributes paid to Sheffield singer and performer who was 'household name' in the city". The Star. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  11. ^ Campbell, Al. "1961 British Hit Parade, Pt. 2: April–September – Various Artists : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  12. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 189. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  13. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 477. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  14. ^ "Jimmy Crawford – Love Or Money / Does My Heartache Show – Columbia – UK – DB 4633". 45cat. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  15. ^ "Jimmy Crawford (5) – Love Or Money (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  16. ^ "Jimmy Crawford (5) – I Love How You Love Me (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  17. ^ "Jimmy Crawford (5) Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
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