JAY JUSTIN

Jay Justin McCarthy, born on May 4, 1940, in Sydney, started out as a shoe salesman at Reynolds Shoe Store in Castlereagh Street after leaving school, while also studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Choosing pop over a classical career, he signed with EMI’s HMV Records in 1960. His debut single, ''Nobody’s Darlin’ But Mine'', released in August, reached #35 on the Sydney charts. His follow-up, ''Why Don’t You Try'', became his big break in July 1961, spending eight weeks on the charts and peaking at #26 on the Sydney Top 40. By then, he was a regular on Bandstand and The Johnny O’Keefe Show, and in 1961, he toured Australia supporting Jimmie Rodgers.

He put out two singles that didn’t gain much traction before striking gold with ''Proud of You'' in April 1963. The song hit the top ten nationwide and stayed on the charts for seventeen weeks. It was also released in the US through Veejay Records. Later that year, he released two more singles, but neither matched his earlier success. Jay was also a skilled songwriter, teaming up with Joe Halford, EMI Records’ Artist and Repertoire man, to pen several songs for local talents like Bryan Davies and Patsy Ann Noble.

Jay played a key role in discovering young singing sensation Little Pattie, spotting her at a dance at the Bronte Surf Club and arranging an audition for her with HMV Records. Alongside Joe, he co-wrote her debut double-hit single, ''He’s My Blonde Headed Stompie Wompie Real Gone Surfer Boy'' and ''Stompin’ at Maroubra''. In the mid-60s, he spent time in the UK, where he recorded the single ''Reminiscing'' with renowned British composer, producer, and conductor Norrie Paramor. Jay kept recording and releasing singles on various labels until the mid-80s, represented Australia at the World Songwriting Festival in Rio de Janeiro, and even launched his own record label, Jamboree Records. Jay Justin died in 2024.

SINGLES

''Nobody's Darlin' But Mine (#46) / Sweet Sensation'' 1960 HMV
''Why Don't You Try (#44) / Butterflies'' 1961 HMV
''Oh, Please Be Mine / Promise Me'' (#99) 1961 HMV
''Little Miss Tease / Tomorrow Is Too Late'' 1962 HMV
''Proud Of You (#4) / Love Me, Love Me, Baby Darling'' 1963 HMV
''Three Act Play (#99) / Easy Come, Easy Go'' 1963 HMV
''Give It All You've Got (#79) / Everybody, Let's Stomp'' 1963 HMV
'' Here Am I / You Can Have Her'' 1964 HMV
''Reminiscing (#18) / Get That Feeling'' 1964 HMV
''Time Waits For No One (#49) / Where In The World [Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms] 1965 HMV
''Guilty / Lonely Boy'' 1965 HMV
'' I'm So Grateful (#65) / I'm Just A Nobody'' 1966 HMV
'' If I Had A Girl / Honey, Hold Me'' 1966 HMV
''So Much Love In The World (#53) / Till The End Of When'' 1966 HMV
'' I Miss You, Girl / Minstrel Man'' 1967 HMV
''My Heart Won't Let Go / Blue Blue Guy'' 1967 HMV
''Let The Rest Of The World Go By / How Can You Forget So Easy'' 1968 Columbia
''I Sell Summertime / Time'' 1968 Columbia
''As If I Didn't Know / Reminiscing'' 1968 Columbia
''The Morning After / Chance Of A Lifetime'' 1971 RCA
''Heartbreak Melody / Love And Peace'' 1971 RCA
''When You've Gotta Go / Surprise'' 1973 RCA
'' Letter To Santa Claus / White Christmas'' 1979 Jamboree
''The Old Storyteller / Going Home'' 1981 Jamboree
''The Jeff Fenech Song / Advance Australia Fair'' 1986 EMI

EPs

'Proud Of You' 1963 HMV
'Reminiscing' 1965 HMV
'Guilty' 1965 HMV

ALBUMS

'Anytime' 1965 HMV
'I'm Back' 1972 RCA
'Reminiscing' 1975 RCA

'Jay Justin Sings Country's Greatest Hits' 1982 Jamboree
'Turn Back The Hands Of Time - 15 Classic Evergreens' 1982 Jamboree

References

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