Posted on 08/30/2023 6:47:18 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Jimmy Appudurai-Chua, who moved from his home country of Singapore to London then Cornwall, once knocked The Beatles off the number one spot in the music charts and mixed with some of the biggest names in the rock world
A much-loved and successful blues 'legend' musician who mixed with some of the biggest names in the rock world - including Eric Clapton and Bryan Adams - has died aged 76. Jimmy Appudurai-Chua, former lead guitarist of blues rock band The Straydogs, died on Tuesday (August 29) from what is only being reported as ill health.
Jimmy, who lived in Torpoint, Cornwall, once knocked The Beatles off the number one spot in the music charts and was still gigging a few times a year in his native Singapore up until relatively recently. He has been remembered as a "gentle man, a silent rebel and an important player in our music scene".
As part of The Straydogs, Jimmy was Number One in Malaysia and Singapore when the R’n’B band’s self-penned tune Freedom edged the Beatles out of the way in 1969. The bluesman moved to the UK in the early 1970s and ran a photo-processing business in Notting Hill, London, when he got to know musician Michael Kamen, who was a regular customer. Kamen’s credits include the score for the 1991 film Robin Hood, and co-writing the theme, one of the most successful singles of all time, (Everything I do) I Do It For You.
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“I became friendly with Michael and he introduced me to Eric Clapton,” Jimmy told The Plymouth Herald in 2014. “Michael would invite me to his big Thanksgiving parties that were full of stars, and ask me to photograph them.”
Jimmy later worked for magazines and record companies covering Eric Clapton concerts and those by fellow former Yardbirds men drummer Jim McCarty and Jimmy Page (also of Led Zeppelin fame). But Jimmy’s thriving photographic business was derailed and his life thrown into shock by kidney disease. He had a transplant at Derriford Hospital in 2010 and began gigging again.
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Jimmy is survived by two sisters, Betty and Minnie, who live in the United States and France respectively, reports The Straits Times.
Bassist Lim Kiang, 73, an original member of The Straydogs, called Jimmy – who joined in 1969 – a “true friend”.
He told The Straits Times: “We first met when we were hanging out in Katong. Jimmy was playing in some other bands at the time and I was just starting out with The Straydogs in 1966. Jimmy unselfishly helped promote Singapore music. He’s truly a blues legend.”
Paying tribute to Jimmy on Facebook, Plymouth musician Vince Lee said on Tuesday evening: "Tonight I heard the sad news that my great friend Jimmy Appudurai has passed away. He was a fantastic guitar player, musician, photographer, blues fan and an avid supporter of live music. He will be missed by me and the many people I know he touched with his amazing spirit. A gentle sweetheart of a man!
"I will cherish the vintage Harmony guitar he gave me years ago and remember him whenever I play it. Rest in Peace blues man."
Singaporean jazz pianist Jeremy Monteiro posted a tribute to his friend on Instagram, writing: "I am greatly saddened by the news of the passing of Singapore Blues guitar legend Jimmy Appudurai-Chua. I met him in Plymouth in April this year near his home in Torpoint in the UK and spent a couple of hours with him at lunch and strolling around Plymouth.
"Jimmy was indeed a huge musical force in Singapore, especially when he was with his seminal band The Straydogs.
"[...] He was a gentle man, a silent rebel and an important player in our music scene. I wish I got to see him more, but I am glad I got to see him this year before he left us.
"Rest in peace maestro Jimmy Appudurai. You will be missed. My condolences to his family."
“Cornwall Blues Legend ‘Bigger Than Beatles’ Dies Aged 76”
Uh huh. Never ‘eard of ‘em.
Who? I can’t even find “The Stray Dogs” on Spotify.
Is it all one word?
Oh, sure, Jimmy Appudurai-Chua. Yep, he was bigger than the Beatles all right. I remember him selling over 300 million records, and his millions of screaming fans, and hearing his songs on the radio all the time. No, wait, I don’t remember any such thing.
That I wouldn’t know, never having heard any of his songs. But the headline says “bigger than”.
Jimmy Appudurai-Chua - Take A Chance / This Rocky Thing (Live at Artistry)
The Straydogs - Freedom (covered by Reverie ft. Jimmy Appudurai)
Have you ever loved a woman - Raw earth & Jimmy Appudurai (The singer on this one kind of sounds like the Beatles.)
I tried one word, too. No luck.
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