Celebrating 80 years of the legendary Jimmie Charles!
Everyone associated with Foden's Band would like to wish band librarian, stalwart & legend Jimmie Charles the happiest of 80th birthdays!
OVER 60 YEARS ASSOCIATION WITH FODEN'S BAND
Jimmie was born into a musical family in 1944, his mother was as an accomplished pianist, in the early 1920s at an early age she was a pianist in the silent movies, flicks as they were called then, she had a wide musical career. His brother Cliff was a cornet player, his two sisters Pat and Joan were both singers.
At the age of twelve Jim went as a part time student to study under Bram Gay at the Birmingham School of Music whilst working his way through the cornet ranks with his local Band, reaching principal cornet at the age of fourteen. These were busy times has he was also playing trumpet in the school of music orchestra, wind band and the NYBB.
On one occasion Foden's Band came to Birmingham Town Hall, he then went (after his lesson) with Bram to the concert. The Bands sound had a lasting impression on Jim, in 1960 he wrote to Rex Mortimer on Bram's recommendation for an audition. He had his audition at Foden's Bandroom in the Autumn and was offered the position of 5th man down, later that day he had his first rehearsal with the Band, In mid December he left home boarded a train to Crewe, he was then picked up by Rex, given a Besson cornet and found lodgings with Mary Wood, home from home. It was Monday the 12th of December 1960, Jim had found his Band.
