About Jimmy Lloyd
Singer. Friend. Legend.
Jimmy Lloyd
Jimmy Lloyd was born on November 29, 1925, in Trinidad in the Caribbean. He began singing at the age of 8. In 1946, while singing with the “Sons of St. John” choir, Jimmy’s musical career took off when the local radio station organized talent competitions. Jimmy participated in about 15 competitions and won every single one of them. Soon, Jimmy was offered his own program on Radio Trinidad called “Sunday Serenade,” and it was there that he met a man who served as a source of inspiration—Nat King Cole, who turned to Jimmy and said, “You have a beautiful voice, young man, you must sing”
From the Caribbean to the Queen of the Netherland
It was Nat King Cole who encouraged Jimmy to go to the United States; however, due to immigration quotas, the plan changed. Following the success of the radio program “Sunday Serenade,” In 1950, Jimmy was offered an opportunity to tour with Tiny Davis’s orchestra in what was then British Guiana. The tour was a great success, and Jimmy was immediately invited to Suriname (Dutch Guiana). There he was received with such enthusiasm that instead of just one performance as planned, he was booked for an additional six weeks. During this period, he was requested to perform for Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. Davis wanted to bring him to the U.S. with her, but immigration laws did not allow it.
The Big Break in London
Performances at Luxury Clubs In 1956, Jimmy arrived in London. On his very first night in the big city, he was called to perform at the “Sunset Club” on Carnaby Street, and from there he moved on to the “Côte d’Azur” club on Frith Street. But the fateful breakthrough came with an invitation to the “River Club” – the most exclusive and luxurious club in London, where the rich, famous, and the city’s elite used to socialize. The audition at the “River Club” was a decisive moment; Jimmy passed it with great success and was immediately accepted to perform. He became the club’s main attraction and continued to perform every night throughout the entire year.
A Rising Star on the Screen and a Recording Contract with "Philips"
Immediately following this, Jimmy’s television career began, and he was invited to perform the opening song for the popular music programs of the day: the “Six-Five Special.” In the following years, Jimmy appeared on many radio and television programs. Before long, he received his own show named after his previous radio program, “Sunday Serenade.” While busy with television in Europe, Jimmy twice portrayed Porgy in German television productions of “Porgy and Bess” by Gershwin.
Jimmy’s cinematic debut was in the film “Six-Five Special“, where he performed the song “Ever since I Met Lucy“. The performance received extraordinary praise: in a critics’ ranking that included about 30 leading stars, Jimmy Lloyd was one of only three artists to receive a perfect score of 10. From there, he went on to earn similar acclaim for his singing in the films “Touch of Larceny” and “Flame in the Streets“.
The success led to a recording contract with Philips Records, and Jimmy released several singles, including “Autumn Leaves,” “Old Devil Moon,” “Witch Doctor,” “For Your Love,” “I Double Dare You,” and many others, including “Jackie,” a song he wrote himself but which was never released
1963: Fateful Encounter with the Holy Land of Israel – Love at First Sight
In 1963, Jimmy received an invitation that would change his life forever: he was invited for a six-week tour in Israel. As he recounted: “I didn’t know Israel existed; I thought it only existed in the Torah.” “On the first night I performed, I sang and the audience immediately fell in love with me, and I with them. It was love at first sight between Israel and Jimmy Lloyd.” Jimmy stayed for much longer than expected—he was asked to perform again and again, and thus continued to live and perform in Israel for a year and a half.
Applause in Hollywood
In 1966, Jimmy received an invitation to perform at Hollywood’s famous “Cocoanut Grove,” and for the first time, he arrived in the U.S. His first performance received a standing ovation! The next day, Variety magazine wrote that Jimmy Lloyd’s interpretation of “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love” gave new meaning to the song, something that hadn’t happened since Dorothy Fields, and that he was the most original artist since Nellie Lutcher. The songwriter himself was asked to write and congratulate him personally on the uniqueness of his performance. At all his shows, Jimmy ended his performance to thunderous applause, and his performance contract was extended by a year.
Volunteering to Perform for Soldiers on the Battlefield - Under Fire
Jimmy, whose soul became entwined with the people of Israel, set out to raise funds for the State of Israel worldwide. At the request of the State and various organizations, he made an immense contribution to the Israeli fundraising effort throughout the years. In 1967, when the Six-Day War broke out, while Jimmy was in Hollywood, he helped raise more than $250,000 for the Israeli effort at the request of the Israel Bonds in Los Angeles. In 1973, while staying in Israel during the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, he was the first singer to take his orchestra and travel to perform for soldiers in battle on all fronts, as well as for the severely wounded in hospitals. In all of Israel’s wars, Jimmy made it a habit to volunteer his performances for soldiers and the wounded to lift their spirits.
In Israel, Jimmy released two albums:
“Jimmy Lloyd 1977” (1977)
“A Yiddishe Mama” (1995)
They included songs in various styles: Calypso, Swing, Hebrew songs, Hasidic music, and songs in Yiddish
Jimmy Lloyd - Reigniting the Hearts of the People of Israel
Over the years, Jimmy left Israel and performed in clubs in the U.S. In 1986, while performing at a club in Brooklyn, Rabbi Yosef Ba-Gad (head of Yeshivat Nachalim) heard him singing “A Yiddishe Mama” in Yiddish. This performance led the Rabbi to invite Lloyd to perform at a special evening honoring the 35th anniversary of Yeshivat Nachalim. Jimmy was supposed to return to New York two days later, but after the performance, he received an offer for another show, and he ended up staying in Israel for many years. Jimmy performed at the Klezmer Festival in Tzfat and in various tribute performances. Jimmy continued to perform, mesmerize, and move the audience – and continued to sing and perform until his final days.
Jimmy Lloyd was an international singer, a social activist, and a true friend of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. In his performances and his life, he integrated messages of connection between people, calls for peace, love for Israel, and love for humanity. He volunteered and performed for underprivileged populations and adopted a vegan lifestyle in his final years.
Israeli Recognition & Fame
In 2024, Jimmy received a Lifetime Achievement Award from EMI (The Israeli Artists’ Association) for his work for the country and for Israeli culture
His Legacy is Etched in Our Hearts Forever
Jimmy passed away on May 18, 2024, in Tel Aviv, Israel. He was granted the final honor of being buried in the section for Righteous Among the Nations at the Kiryat Shaul Cemetery in Tel Aviv, for his great contribution to the State of Israel. His powerful voice, his colorful presence, his rare talent, his strong faith in God, and his deep love for humanity and giving to others: the noble values by which he lived are a legacy more precious than anything, which will remain with us forever
"Smile. Love. Be the best version of yourself"
— Jimmy Lloyd