Jim Diamond

Jim Diamond stood at the forefront of British rock across more than twenty-five years. Early in the 1970s he played with the Scottish outfit Gully Foyle, then moved through the Alexis Korner Band and Bandit in the latter part of the decade before forming PhD in the early 1980s with musicians who had previously worked in the Jeff Beck Band. His strongest commercial period arrived as a solo artist, yielding three notable successes: the 1982 release “I Won’t Let You Down,” the 1984 single “I Should Have Known Better,” and “Hi Ho Silver” the following year. In 1986 his last Top Ten entry supplied the theme for the long-running ITV detective series Boon.

Professionally active since his teenage years, Diamond first drew notice while performing with Gully Foyle. He soon departed to launch Bandit, secured a contract with Arista, and issued a debut album that failed to connect with buyers, prompting the group’s dissolution. He then accepted an offer to join Alexis Korner’s ensemble, remaining for two years and contributing to the 1978 recording Just Easy. After relocating briefly to Los Angeles, he collaborated with seasoned session players associated with David Bowie and Rod Stewart. With guitarist Earl Slick and drummer Carmen Appice he assembled the short-lived project Slick Diamond. Back in England he linked up with Tony Hymas and Simon Phillips, both formerly of the Jeff Beck Band, to create PhD. Their self-titled first album contained the multi-million-selling track “I Won’t Let You Down,” while another single, “I Don’t Know,” featured electric guitar from Beck himself.

PhD’s initial momentum collapsed when Diamond contracted hepatitis. Unable to tour, the band dissolved. Stepping forward as a solo performer, Diamond achieved immediate success; his debut single “I Should Have Known Better,” written with Benny Gallagher of Gallagher & Lyle, climbed to number one on the British pop charts. The self-titled album he released in 1993, co-produced by Graham Lyle, featured fresh versions of both “I Should Have Known Better” and “Hi Ho Silver.” Jim Diamond passed away at his London residence in October 2015 at the age of 64.