When you hear the name Jimmy Clanton visions of Bobby Socks, Beehive hair doos, White Saddle Oxfords and his music explode in the cerebral cortex of your mind. Jimmy Clanton’s Million Dollar hits such as Just a Dream (1958), Venus in Blue Jeans (1961) and Go Jimmy Go (1959) immediately begin playing in your ears.
Jimmy Clanton is a natural born singer with good looks and an easy going personality.
Cosimo Matassa, when asked why he signed Clanton, answered: “He was a good looking kid, he sang well…and the girls went crazy.” Not much has changed today. Jimmy taught himself to play guitar at eight years of age when he purchased a $12 guitar and a twenty-five cent guitar book out of his lawn mowing money and the rest is history. Jimmy humbly states: “I never really thought I could be a songwriter, and I thought Just a Dream was just a plain vanilla song.”
Jimmy Clanton is dedicated to his craft and tenaciously has continued to ride the tide of Rock and Roll from the 50’s and 60’s thru today. His love of music and heartfelt songs express his adoration for his homeland of Louisiana where humble beginnings nurtured his journey. Jimmy is a Rhythm and Blues enthusiast with a feel for the New Orleans Bluesy music style which enhances his Balladeer ability.
If you remember the crunching gray gravel under your car tires and that chunky metal speaker hanging on your car window….then you were probably at the drive in watching Jimmy when Hollywood came calling. Jimmy starred in two movies: Go Johnny Go (1959) and Teenage Millionaire (1961).
In 1962 the infestation of pests from across the pond drew attention away from many of the Rock and Roll headliners of the day; however Jimmy Clanton remained in the industry in one way or another. Jimmy has experienced venues from Madison Square Garden, Hollywood Bowl, to Honolulu Hawaii…it seems he was everywhere but Woodstock. It’s all about his timeless music, which stirs up emotions still today.
In 1980 Jimmy Clanton experienced a Religious Conversion and produced a gospel album “Born Again.” Jimmy also ministers at several churches and venues. Jimmy writes: “Nugget Notes” which are tender testimonies of his walk with the Lord, and can be found in the tab on the right side of this page.
Jimmy Clanton History/Accolades (Not all inclusive)
1956 Dixie Cats (1st Band)
1957 The Rockets (with Dick Holler)
1957 Signed with Ace Records
1958 American Bandstand appearance (Gold Record for Just A Dream)
1958 Hollywood Bowl
1958 Just a Dream (Gold #4 Billboard)
1959 “Go Johnny Go” Movie (Dr. John produced music, Charlie Miller Trumpeter)
1959 Alan Freed Package tours
1959 Go Jimmy Go (Gold #5 Billboard)
1960 Jimmy Clanton Week (declared by Ace Records)
1961 Drafted into the Army (served 2 years)
1961 Teenage Millionaire Movie (Rocky Graziano, ZuZu Pitts)
1962 Venus in Blue Jeans (Gold #9 Billboard)
1962 Darkest Street in Town (last hit)
1964 A million dollar Party (KPOZ Radio Station presentation)
1968 Madison Square Garden
1969 Richard Nader Rock N Roll Revival Concert
1970 The Masters of Rock and Roll Oldies Review
1972 DJ at WHEX Radio Station (until 1976)
1996 Inducted into Museum of the Gulf Coast Hall of Fame
2007 Legends of Louisiana Celebration and Induction to Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
2007 Hit Parade Hall of Fame
PLEASE ENJOY MY INTERVIEW WITH
POP R AND B LEGEND AND GOOD FRIEND
MR. JIMMY CLANTON
ON THE HARMONY STRET SHOW
WITH MIKE MILLER
JUST CLICK
ON THE PLAYER BELOW
JIMMY SAYS HI
Jimmy Clanton
"Mike did incredible ''thinking''' about our time together because,
I WAS TAKEN ABACK AT THE DEEP THOUGHT PROVOKING ANSWERS I GAVE... I LOVED THAT MIKE..!!,, I HAVE DONE '''THOUSANDS OF INTERVIEWS FROM THE START OF MY CAREER, AND YOU TOOK ME, JIMMY CLANTON, TO A DEEPER LEVEL OF BEING ABLE TO SHOW PPL THE REAL JIMMY CLANTON... FOR THAT, I THANK YOU, MY FRIEND........"
