Harvey James

Career

James' first major group was the early 1970s band Mississippi, which also featured Beeb Birtles, Graham Goble Charlie Tumahai and Derek Pellicci on drums. He played on the band's hit single "Will I" after replacing Kerryn Tolhurst and was part of their appearance at Sunbury Rock Festival in 1974.

Mississippi sailed to the UK in April 1974, working on the Sitmar Line ship Fairsky but broke up after arriving. Birtles and Goble reconstituted the band, with Pellicci, in early 1975 after their return to Australia, recruiting new members and changing the name to Little River Band.

After his return to Australia, James joined progressive rock group Ariel, with Mike Rudd and Bill Putt and returned to the UK with them in 1974, where they recorded their second album Rock & Roll Scars at Abbey Road Studios. He remained with Ariel until early 1975, by which time the band had added a fifth member, singer-guitarist Glyn Mason.

James shot to national prominence in Australia in early 1975, when he left Ariel to replace founding member Clive Shakespeare in the chart-topping Australian pop band Sherbet. His first recording with them was their biggest hit, "Howzat", which became an Australian #1 and made the Top 5 in the UK Singles Chart. He remained with the group until they split in 1979, but he reunited with them (alongside original guitarist Clive Shakespeare) for several Sherbet reunions. He also participated in a reunion of the second line-up of Ariel in 1998. James was an original member of The Party Boys, playing on their first two albums.

Illness and death

James was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2010. A benefit gig, 'Gimme That Guitar', was organised by friends and supporters, taking place in Melbourne on 18 November 2010. A second concert was planned for Sydney on 17 February 2011.

James died on 15 January 2011 aged 58. Sherbet lead singer Daryl Braithwaite posted a message at his website. James is survived by his wife, Faye, sons Gabriel and Joshua, and daughter Alexandra.