The Jamies

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The Jamies were an American singing group, led by siblings Tom and Serena Jameson, based in Boston.

Career[]

The group's 1958 single for Epic Records, "Summertime, Summertime," reached #26 on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[1]

Both "Summertime" and its b-side, "Searching for You," are often described as doo-wop, because of their time period and their a cappella harmonies. However, both songs may also be described as pop versions of Sacred Harp styles,^{[original research?]} as the group started as church singers^{[citation needed]} or possibly an early example of baroque pop.^{[original research?]}

Several singles followed "Summertime, Summertime" (many written by Tom Jameson), but none of these were hits. In 1962, "Summertime, Summertime" was re-released, and became a hit again, this time peaking at No. 38.^[1]

The song's fame far eclipsed the band's; The Fortunes, the Doodletown Pipers, Hobby Horse, Jan and Dean, and Sha Na Na all covered the tune, and it was used in commercials for Buick, Ken-L Ration Burger Time Dog Food, Applebee's and McDonald's.^[2] It was also featured in the 1978 film Fingers.

Tom Jameson died from cancer on July 19, 2009, at the age of 72.

Members[]

Note:This list has every member of the Jamies

• Thomas Earl "Tom" Jameson
• Serena Jameson (Thomas Jameson's sister, who sang lead vocals)
• Jeannie Roy
• Arthur Blair
• Sherman Feller (Group manager, later became more famous as the public address announcer for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.) He did not co-write "Summertime, Summertime" as is commonly thought, but took co-writing credit, half of the songwriting royalties, and the publishing rights as was common practice by managers at the time. (See external links below.) Tom Jameson was the sole writer/arranger of "Summertime, Summertime."

Singles[]

• "Summertime, Summertime" b/w "Searching for You" (Epic Records, 1958 single 9281 10-inch 78rpm; 5-9281 7-inch 45rpm) - US No. 26
• "Snow Train" b/w "When the Sun Goes Down" (Epic, 1958)
• "Don't Darken My Door" b/w "Evening Star" (United Artists, 1959)
• "Summertime, Summertime" reissue (1962) - US No. 38

References[]

External links[]

• Tom Jameson obituary (Web Archive)
• Todd Baptista article