James Leroy (April 3, 1947 – May 10, 1979)Paul Weber

. Retrieved 2013-02-16. was a Canadian singer, songwriter, recording artist and performer.

Early life

James Leroy was born in

Ottawa Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

and spent his childhood and adolescence in Martintown, Ontario before returning to Ottawa.

Career

Leroy's music career commenced as a folk singer and songwriter for local bands. Local impresario

Harvey Glatt Harvey Glatt (born March 28, 1934) is a Canadian music promoter, manager, broadcaster, record and instrument retailer, and record label owner. Early life and education Harvey Glatt was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, graduating from Glebe C ...

agreed to produce and manage Leroy. Glatt produced Leroy's first single, "Touch of Magic", which reached Number 6 on the Canadian Top Singles Chart, published by

RPM Magazine ''RPM'' ( and later ) was a Canadian music-industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. ''R ...

. In 2002, the song received the Classic Award from the

Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) is a Canadian performance rights organization that represents the performing rights of more than 135,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. The organization collects ...

, for achieving more than 100,000 plays on Canadian radio. Glatt also arranged for Adam Mitchell to produce the subsequent album, ''James Leroy and Denim'', released by

GRT Records GRT Records was the name of both a U.S. and a Canadian record label, both created by General Recorded Tape, a California-based company that existed from 1965 to 1979.Richard GreenGRT of Canada, Ltd. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2013-02-26. ...

in 1973.Dan Brisebois
Biography of James Leroy
canadianbands.com. Retrieved 2013-02-19. Denim, Leroy's supporting group, included Gary Comeau, one of the founding members of

The Esquires The Esquires were an American R&B group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, principally active from 1957 to 1976. History The group first formed in 1957 around the Moorer family: Gilbert (born Gilbert Moorer, Jr., August 20, 1941, Birmi ...

, a nationally recognized Canadian band, and Val Tuck of Canada Goose. Two further singles from the album, "You Look Good in Denim" and "Make It All Worthwhile" were top 20 Canadian singles. Leroy dissolved Denim in 1974 and attempted to develop a solo career. Two singles were produced by Ian Thomas, but were not successful. An anticipated solo album did not materialize. In 1976, he joined

Major Hoople's Boarding House Major Hoople's Boarding House is a Canadians, Canadian pop music, pop band from Galt, Ontario (now Cambridge, Ontario). They have released two albums and several singles, three of which appeared on national charts. History In 1967, Rocky Howell ( ...

from Kitchener, Ontario and later the name was changed to Boarding House. They toured the Maritimes. In late 1978, Leroy and new manager, Martin Onrot, began assembling a band, composed on several ex-Denim players and some new musicians. This band undertook a cross-Canada tour. He also had plans to crack the U.S. market at this time.

Death

Leroy committed suicide in an Ottawa hotel room on May 10, 1979, at the age of 32. Canadian Pop Encyclopedia
Biography of James Leroy
Retrieved 2013-02-20

References

External links

James Leroy Tribute Website
* *

* Entry for Denim 1947 births 1979 suicides Canadian male singers Canadian pop singers Canadian songwriters Musicians from Ottawa Writers from Ottawa 20th-century Canadian male singers 20th-century Canadian male writers Suicides in Ontario {{Canada-singer-stub