Library Rock's Backpages

Billy James

Billy James

Billy James is a publicist and talent scout; best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s discovering and developing musical talent for record companies such as Columbia, Elektra, and RCA Records. As a young publicist for Columbia, James became Bob Dylan's emissary at the label and was reportedly one of the only "suits" Dylan trusted; he conducted for CBS the earliest available taped interview with Dylan, of which a fragment is available Sent to the West Coast, James found himself in the middle of the West Coast music scene. He wrote liner notes for The Byrds' first album, Mr. Tambourine Man, and brought artists such as The Doors and Jackson Browne to the attention of Elektra Records. In 1966, he managed the folk singer Penny Nichols, who was hired by The Sandpipers, but sang with them on just one concert at San Diego. James was respected by artists and his peers for his humor, irreverance, intelligence and integrity in an industry that rarely fostered the latter. By the early 1980s, James left the record business and worked for a time as an advocate for songwriters at the National Academy of Songwriters and as a Board member for the local chapter of NARAS. In the 1990s, James worked as publicist in the high-tech world. Semi-retired, he lives with his wife and family in Redwood City, California.

2 articles

List of articles in the library

By date | By artist | Most recently added

Bob Dylan (1961)

Interview by Billy James, Rock's Backpages audio, October 1961

In short clips from his very first interview, with Columbia publicist James, the young Bob Dylan mentions his love of Charlie Chaplin, then reflects on living in a big city for the first time, being a folk singer, and playing piano like Little Richard.

File format: mp3; file size: 2.8mb, interview length: 4' 36" sound quality: *

Bob Dylan: The First Interview

Press Release by Billy James, Columbia Records, October 1961

DYLAN: Well, let me say that I was born in Duluth, Minnesota – give that a little plug. That's where I was born and, uh, ...

back to LIBRARY

COPYRIGHT NOTICE