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'' 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. 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/