James Royal should not be confused with Royal James.
| James Royal | |
| Birth Name: | James Nairn |
| Birth Date: | 14 July 1938 |
| Birth Place: | Ealing, Middlesex, England |
| Instrument: | Vocals |
| Genre: | Rock, pop |
| Occupation: | Singer |
| Years Active: | 1964-1973 |
| Label: | Decca, Parlophone, CBS |
James Royal (born James Nairn, 14 July 1938) is a British pop singer. His most international successful record was "Call My Name" in 1967.
James Nairn was born on 14 July 1938, in Ealing near to London.[1] Upon leaving secondary school, he served three years in the Royal Air Force.[2] In 1963, James formed his band with which he performed under the name Jimmy Royal and the Hawks in London pubs and bars.[3] He recorded with this group a first title in 1964 for Decca, followed by other singles in 1965 for Parlophone, the second under his own name of James Royal and emerged as a solo artist.
He signed with CBS in 1966, and the first title released by his new company in the UK in 1967 ("Call My Name") became a hit in Europe in 1968. The title is thus ranked No. 11 in France (December 1967),[4] and No. 4 in Belgium (March 1968).[5] But it does not work in the UK. The magazine Record World notes in its overview of the year 1968: "The French audience showed a more discriminating taste in foreign music, even carrying songs that remained unknown in their native country to the top of the charts: David McWilliams' 'Days of Pearly Spencer,' James Royal's 'Call My Name,' Moody Blues' 'Nights In White Satin'."[6]
After this good start, eleven singles and one album were released by CBS; in addition, other singles (sometimes in a foreign language) are released for specific markets such as Germany, Spain and Italy. He is then classified as a British blue-eyed soul singer.[7]
In 1970, Royal was persuaded by his impresario Mervyn Conn to join the Carnaby label, which he had become the owner of; the termination of the contract with CBS is negotiated in August.[8] Six singles and two albums are produced by this label, as well as Spanish-language singles. In 1971, the title "Carolina", written by Terry Britten, obtains a success in France, Spain, Italy, Argentina and Australia.
Royal recorded three albums between 1970 and 1973, the year marking the end of his original recordings. He also records singles in different languages for foreign markets. In addition, he took part in the 1972 Jerry Lee Lewis tour. By the end of the decade, Royal's career stalled. In 1984, he left England to Australia, his wife's native country, and finally settled in 1988 in the city of Toowoomba.[9]