Finding History: Jim Burris AKA Jimmy Grimaldi

 

A Little Backstory:

I was never close with my father, in fact I didn't like him very much. He wasn't a mean man or abusive in any way - he just wasn't there, he wasn't a father nor did he provide any support and was pretty much out of our lives by 1972. I did see him a few times throughout the 70s & 80s and visited with him twice as a "get to know your father" trip. Unfortunately, I do not have any fond memories of any of these visits except for one. During one visit my father asked me what type of music I listen to - I told him Van Halen and I vividly remember telling him Eddie Van Halen is the best guitarist on earth! He smiled and said I want you to hear something - he then grabbed Cream's Wheels Of Fire and had me listen to Eric Clapton play Crossroads. Then he started teaching me about all the great guitarists -  It was truly a great bonding moment between father and son and something that I treasure -  unfortunately that would be our last bonding moment. Years would go by without any contact until I decided to move to California. My mother (who never talked to him) made the call and asked If I could stay with him - he said yes. I moved out to California and knew almost immediately this wasn't going to work - I had somehow convinced myself that my father owed me and I had a big chip on my shoulder. We clashed and I eventually moved out. Regretfully, I didn't talk to my father for over 20 years after I moved out and then he passed away in 2004.  

 

Fast Forward To September 2023:

I was expanding my music room and holding Cream's Wheels Of Fire album when thoughts of my Dad flooded my brain. Now, I haven't thought or even cared about my Dad in over 20 years and now I am filled with emotion for no reason. It was right then and there I let go of all my anger and disdain for my father - I forgave him! I had no more resentment and a great burden and chip was now off my shoulders - it felt great and a little overwhelming. So, what is the first thing a son does when he has such a revelation? He calls his mother! I wanted to know more about my father, the musician and rock n' roller. My mother had told me stories that in the early 1960s some of the bands had opened for the Animals, Paul Revere And The Raiders and Gary Puckett & The Union Gap - other than being a lead singer I didn't know anything else about his music history. Then my mother dropped a bomb on me and said my father had a fan club in Oregon back in the late 60s. I was stunned - she didn't remember many details just that he was pretty popular - again I was stunned! So, that was all I needed - I was on a mission to find out more about Jim Burris the musician. The first thing I did was google the following: Jim Burris 1960s Oregon Singer and sure enough a website called garagehangover.com popped up and there it was, a small article about a rock band out of Oregon from 1968 called the Chaen Reaction - my jaw dropped! Then I saw the band picture and there was my dad, the second guy from the left, lead singer - Holy shit! I never knew about this and had never seen this pic before. I immediately started emailing this information and links to my brother and sister and they were just as shocked as I was. With a little more research  I found that the band released 2 songs on a 45rpm. It was released by Earl Records out of Oregon I think in 1968 - Side 1 Song: Sometimes I Think About and Side 2 Song: Chain Reaction - You can listen to these songs on YouTube - they're awesome! Unfortunately, the trail ends here. I have no idea what happened to the band or what happened next. I do know he continued his music career and had many bands throughout his life but cannot find any information on them. I did find out he moved to Finland and released music in Europe under the name Jimmy Grimaldi in the early 1980s - I'm working on finding out more about the "Finland" years. I also believe he worked for a Country radio station on a project called "Country Showcase" but I am still researching this information.

 

I am hoping this website reaches the right people that can provide me information about my father, the bands he fronted, band members and help me learn more about him and his music through the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.