Jimmy Holiday (July 24, 1934 – February 15, 1987) was an American R&B singer and songwriter.[1]

Holiday was born in Sallis, Mississippi, United States. He recorded for Everest Records in the 1960s and later moved to the New Orleans label Minit Records.[2] His first recording "How Can I Forget" reached the top ten on the US Billboard R&B chart in 1963.[2] His debut album Turning Point peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard R&B albums chart in 1966.[3]

Holiday's best-known composition is "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," co-written with Jackie DeShannon and Randy Myers.[2][4] In the United States, it was DeShannon's highest-charting hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1969 and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[5] In late 1969, the song reached No. 1 on South Africa's hit parade.

Holiday died in 1987 in Iowa City of heart failure.[2][4]

Discography

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Albums

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  • 1966: Turning Point (Minit Records)[1]
  • 1970: Spread Your Love (Minit Records)[1]
  • 1975: United Artists Music Publishing Group Present Songs of Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Holiday, Eddie Reeves (United Artists Records)

Singles

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Title Year US

[3]

US R&B

[3]

"How Can I Forget" 1963 57 8
"Baby I Love You" 1966 98 21
"Everybody Needs Help" 1967 36
"Spread Your Love" 1968 35

Notable compositions

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References

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[2][4]

  1. ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  2. ^ a b c d e Pack, Richard. "Jimmy Holiday". AllMusic. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "Jimmy Holiday Chart History". Billboard.[dead link]
  4. ^ a b c Talevski, Nick (2006). Knocking on Heaven's Door: Rock Obituaries. Omnibus Press. pp. 274–275. ISBN 978-1-84609-091-2.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 77.