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YouTubeWho Is P.J. Proby? The Original Rock 'n' Roll Rebel
If rock ‘n’ roll ever had a true outlaw—equal parts velvet-voiced crooner and headline-grabbing hellraiser—it was P.J. Proby. Born James Marcus Smith in 1938 in Houston, Texas, P.J. Proby has lived a life that most musicians could only dream of—or wouldn’t dare to. With a vocal range that soared across genres and a personal life that veered toward the chaotic, PJ became a rock ‘n’ roll legend not just for his music, but for his sheer unpredictability.
Early Life in Texas: A Star in the Making
From a young age, James was immersed in music. Raised in a religious Southern family, he grew up listening to gospel choirs and traditional country music. His talent was apparent early on—he could mimic voices, pick up melodies by ear, and possessed a stage presence that drew attention. He attended a strict Baptist boarding school where his rebellious streak began to bloom. But academia never stood a chance; music called louder.
From James Smith to P.J. Proby: The Birth of a Persona
By the late 1950s, James Marcus Smith had made his way to Los Angeles, where he worked as a songwriter and demo singer for Liberty Records. It was here that the P.J. Proby persona was born. The name was allegedly suggested by a friend of songwriter Sharon Sheeley—P.J. Proby was the name of a mutual friend from Houston, and it stuck like glue. With the slick, swaggering moniker came a transformation into the performer we now recognize: flamboyant, theatrical, and unafraid to break every rule in the book.
Cracking the UK: The 1960s Breakthrough
In the early 1960s, Proby found success writing songs for artists like Elvis Presley. Yes, that Elvis. His vocals were so convincing that some of his demos were allegedly mistaken for The King himself. But P.J. wanted more than a behind-the-scenes gig—he craved the spotlight.
Proby’s big break came in the UK, of all places. He was brought over in 1964 by Jack Good, a British TV producer known for pioneering music television. It was a move that would change the trajectory of his career. With his jet-black hair, tight trousers, and smouldering charisma, Proby became an instant sensation on shows like “Ready Steady Go!” and “Thank Your Lucky Stars.” His haunting, dramatic cover of “Hold Me” climbed the UK charts and established him as a vocal powerhouse.
The Sound and the Scandal: Proby’s Musical Versatility and Infamy
But it wasn’t just his voice that got people talking—it was the way he wore his pants. Literally. In early performances, Proby’s skin-tight trousers famously split on stage, a stunt that was either entirely accidental or brilliantly calculated. Either way, it sent the British press into a frenzy. The BBC banned him. Venues grew wary. But the controversy only fuelled his fame. He was dubbed a bad boy, a rock rebel with no regard for propriety—and audiences loved him for it.
The Zeppelin Connection: The Making of ‘Three Week Hero’
P.J. Proby was never one to stick in one lane. He jumped from rock and roll to pop, country, and even Broadway-style musical theatre. His 1960s albums—“I Am P.J. Proby,” “Enigma,” and “Three Week Hero”—are testaments to his musical versatility. Fun fact: “Three Week Hero“ featured a little-known band called Led Zeppelin backing him in the studio before they exploded onto the scene. Yes, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, and Robert Plant were all there, cutting their teeth in the studio with Proby.
Despite his raw talent and unique voice—equal parts Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and Scott Walker—Proby’s career was never a straight line. His fiery temper, love affairs, and on-and-off battles with alcohol and self-destruction kept him at the fringes of mainstream success. He clashed with record labels. He alienated promoters. He became infamous for being difficult to work with—and yet utterly magnetic on stage.
Stage Star and Troublemaker: PJ in the ‘70s and '80s
Through the ’70s and ’80s, Proby dipped in and out of the public eye. He starred in Elvis: The Musical, earning rave reviews for his eerily accurate portrayal of Presley. He also worked with producer Marc Almond, appeared on UK television, and toured Europe with rock revival shows. All the while, the myth of P.J. Proby continued to grow. Was he a genius? A madman? A misunderstood star? Depending on who you asked, he was all three.
A Cult Icon in the '90s and 2000's
In the ’90s and 2000s, Proby leaned into his status as a cult figure. He released new music, reissued his classic tracks, and embraced the adoration of die-hard fans who had stuck with him through thick and thin. His voice, though weathered by age, retained that haunting, operatic quality that made him stand out in the first place.
Controversy and Legal Battles: The Scandal That Never Slept
But P.J. Proby’s life wasn’t without scandal. In more recent years, headlines turned toward his legal troubles, including fraud convictions related to benefits claims in the UK. Always the controversial figure, he didn’t shy away from the spotlight—even if it cast shadows. He was never the type to play by society’s rules. And in a way, that’s what made him so fascinating.
P.J's Legacy: Rock’s Most Unfiltered Survivor
Today, P.J. Proby remains a living legend, albeit a polarizing one. He’s part of that rare breed of musicians who lived the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle to its wildest extremes and survived to tell the tale. His influence is felt not just in the songs he sang or the artists he inspired, but in the attitude he embodied: daring, defiant, larger-than-life.
With a career spanning over six decades, Proby has worked with the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Cilla Black, Marc Almond, Led Zeppelin and Van Morrison. He’s played both packed stadiums and dingy pubs, belted ballads and growled blues. He’s been idolized, criticized, banned, adored, and everything in between.
From his humble roots in Houston to the swinging stages of London, from chart-topping hits to tabloid trainwrecks, P.J. Proby is a survivor. A rock ‘n’ roll original. A voice like velvet and a life like a tornado. He’s the embodiment of that old saying: never boring, always Proby.
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P J Proby is da man. Versatile singer, calls a spade a shovel, still sounds great, articulate and his memory is incredible for an 86 year old rock ‘n’ roller. Thanks Sandy for a cracker of an episide…..’A Breath Of Fresh Air.