JAY JUSTIN

Jay Justin McCarthy was born on 4th May 1940 in Sydney. After he left school he took a job as a shoe salesman at the Reynolds Shoe Store in Castlereagh St and began studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Rather than pursue a classical career he became a professional pop singer.  In 1960 Jay Justin signed a recording contract with EMI's subsidiary label HMV Records. His debut single ''Nobody's Darlin' But Mine / Sweet Sensation'' was released in August which charted at #35 on the Sydney charts. His second single ''Why Don't You Try'' became his breakthrough record in July 1961, spending eight weeks in the charts and reaching #26 on the Sydney Top 40. By this stage he was appearing regularly on both Bandstand and The Johnny O'Keefe Show. He supported Jimmie Rodgers on his tour of Australia in 1961.

He released two relatively unsuccessful singles before he hit it big with ''Proud of You'' in April 1963. It made the top ten right around the country and spent a total of seventeen weeks in the charts. It was also released in the US on the Veejay Records label. Two more singles were released that year but neither emulated his previous success. Jay was also a talented songwriter and in collaboration with Joe Halford, the Artist and Repertoire man for EMI Records, wrote a number of songs for other local artists like Bryan Davies and Patsy Ann Noble.

Jay was also responsible for discovering young singing sensation Little Pattie. He spotted her performing at a dance at the Bronte Surf Club and arranged an audition for her with HMV Records. Jay and Joe also co-wrote her debut double-hit single called ''He's My Blonde Headed Stompie Wompie Real Gone Surfer Boy'' and ''Stompin At Maroubra''. During the mid 60s he spent some time in the UK where he recorded one single, ''Reminiscing'' with top British composer, producer and conductor Norrie Paramour. Jay continued recording and issuing singles on a number of labels until the mid 80s. He also represented Australia at the World Songwriting Festival in Rio de Janeiro and even started his own record label called Jamboree Records.

SINGLES

Nobody's Darlin' But Mine

17 SEP '60

#46

Why Don't You Try

24 JUN '61

#44

Promise Me

16 DEC '61

#99

Proud of You

6 APR '63

#4

Three Act Play

3 AUG '63

#99

Give it All You've Got

9 NOV '63

#79

Reminiscing

5 DEC '64

#18

Time Waits for No One

3 APR '65

#49

I'm So Grateful

23 APR '66

#65

So Much Love in the World

29 OCT '66

#53

References

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/