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He returned to Philadelphia and had decided to be “serious.” But it was hard to make a living playing in a band, and his previous employment experiences had host their appeal: * * I ’ d workedconstruction crews, and I’d been a welder while I was in college But I’d rather do other things than get burned.” Like most underachieving accordian players, he had a hard time finding the right other things. His determination to be serious (“I even got a pair of those shoes that look like the Ace of Spades, with holes in them”) led to a job at a Philadelphia RB radio station, where he translated commercials into Soul. “I’d sell airtime to Bronco’s Poolroom, and then write the spot: ‘You wanna be cool, and you wanna shoot pool... (dig it)’.” Increasingly frustrated, he quitto teach guitar at a summercamp (“to people who had to wear loafers ‘cause they couldn’t tie their shoes’ ”) and evenenlisted in the U.S. Army. He didn’t have a very illustrious military career, but says he’s prepared if there’s ever a warwhere we have to defendourselves with mops.Back to the radio station again, briefly (“that was about the end of my seriousness”), and then he tried teaching “special education” to discipline problem students in a Philadelphia high school. Finally he decided to give his music a chance.He’d been playing some pretty tough bars (“I can get my guitar off faster than anyone else”), then he and his wife, Ingrid, moved to New York and began working coffee houses. Tommy West, who had attended Villanova College with Jim, introduced them to Terry Cashman, and in 1969, Cashman and West produced their album, “Jim and Ingrid.” Theydecided that he could resume playing and still have time to write songs and be with hisfam ily.His first album, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim,” was an instant success. Jim immediately became a top bill club andconcert performer and the title song and “Operator,” pulled from the album, were both highly successful singles. The friendliness and sincerity of Jim’s performances have endeared him to a wide variety of audiences.“Well,” laughed Jim, “I’m glad I’m not running any more jackhammers. It’s a lot easier to have a good time. I think music should make people sit back and want to touch each other...I just hope people get a kick out ofit.”Since his first album, things have been strictly uphill for Jim. “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” which was culled from the second LP entitled “Life and Times,” reached the top of the national pop charts before it went Gold. Jim’s latest album is called “I’ve Got a Name” and the title cut is part of the soundtrack for 20th Century Fox’s new film, “The Last American Hero.” Many other things are being planned for the unlikely superstar from Philly, including appearances in films as well as more soundtrack offers.Jim Croee--“I’ve Got a Name.” He certainly has.w**************A***** * * *(Editor NOTE)A few months ago, Jim Crocewas killed in a plane accident.The music world feels his lossfor he was a sensitive performerwho could make his audienceslaugh or cry. It was a tragic endto a career which was only thebeginning to his potential inmusic and in life.* * * ***********************************
Newspaper Details
Middletown Capitol
Middletown, Connecticut, US
Mon, Nov 26, 1973
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 16 Feb 2021
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