Jim Keller

Jim Keller

At The Saint, April 2012
Background information
Genres blues, pop, alternative rock
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Years active 1979–present
Labels Elisha James Music, Orange Mountain Music
Associated acts Tommy Tutone, Jim Keller Band
Website jimkellermusic.com

Jim Keller is a musician who was one of the founders, the lead guitarist, and supporting vocalist for the American rock band Tommy Tutone based in San Francisco, CA, and was co-writer of that band's most famous single, 867-5309/Jenny. [1] The song was co-written in the spring of 1981 by Alex Call and Jim Keller. Alex Call came up with the name, number, and chords. He and Jim Keller created the story line. Neither expected that the song would become a hit.[2] In 1982 the song was number 4 on the Billboard charts for 27 weeks.[3] In 2009, the number and an associated business were advertised for sale on Ebay.[2]

Keller stopped performing and recording in 1994.[4] After a ten-year hiatus, he started writing songs and playing again in 2005.[1] He has used Fender Guitars and as of October 2008, was still "Rocking out heavily and writing songs for free." As of 2009, Jim Keller was Director of composer Philip Glass’s company, Dunvagen Music Publishers. He has recorded two albums since he left Tommy Tutone, including Sunshine in my Pocket (2009), which Condran describes as "a solid folkie, bluesy album" and Soul Candy (2011)[1][4] He is currently touring with the Jim Keller Band.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wilkinson, Alec (14 Dec 2009). "Comeback". New Yorker. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  2. 1 2 Applebone, Peter (31 Jan 2009). "Jenny, Don’t Change Your Number; You Might Want to Sell It on eBay". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  3. 1 2 LaMarca, Stephen (24 July 2011). "867-5309 won’t lead to Jenny. After 30 years, famous phone number still generates calls, profit". Hudson Reporter. Archived from the original on 2012-06-16. Retrieved 2015-06-06.
  4. 1 2 Condran, Ed (3 April 2012). "Jim Keller plays The Saint Saturday. Jim Keller moves past Tommy Tutone heyday". Asbury Park Press, NJ Press Media. Retrieved 2012-04-08.


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