Slim Jim Phantom
(born James McDonnell
on 20 March 1961) is the drummer for Stray Cats.
Alongside band mates Brian Setzer and Lee Rocker, he spearheaded the neo-rockabilly movement of the early 80s.
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SLIM JIM PHANTOM TICKETS
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Biography
Born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, and raised in Massapequa, Jim grew up listening to his parents’ jazz records and by the age of ten took up the drums. “To be honest I think the drums chose me, I can’t remember ever wanting to do anything else.” remembers Phantom. Immersing himself in the art of drumming and the world of music, Jim took lessons with Mousie Alexander (who played with
Benny Goodman) which included the study of jazz and working through books by Jim Chapin and Ted Reed.
By the late 70s Jim was playing in bands with school friend and bassist Lee Rocker and they soon joined forces with guitarist Brian Setzer. During downtime from the
Stray Cats, Jim played a part in many successful groups notably “Phantom, Rocker and Slick” featuring guitarist Earl Slick which produced two popular albums and “The Swing Cats” featuring guitar ace Danny B Harvey. Jim also enjoyed a stint playing with
Jerry Lee Lewis.
Slim Jim often performed with The Stray Cats using only a
snare drum and a
hi-hat cymbal on stage, rather than a full kit.
Most recently Jim has been involved with three main projects; his own roots-rock trio,
Dead Men Walking with
Kirk Brandon,
Mike Peters and
Captain Sensible and “
The Head Cat” starring
Lemmy and Danny B. Harvey.
He was married to the actress
Britt Ekland from 1984 to 1992 and has a son, T.J. (b. 1988) with her. He currently owns and operates the club The Cat Club on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.
Discography
- The Stray Cats - Stray Cats
(1981)
- The Stray Cats - Gonna Ball
(1981)
- The Stray Cats - Built for Speed
(1982)
- The Stray Cats - Rant N' Rave with the Stray Cats
(1983)
- Phantom, Rocker & Slick - Phantom, Rocker & Slick
(1985)
- Phantom, Rocker & Slick - Cover Girl
(1986)
- The Stray Cats - Rock Therapy
(1986)
- The Stray Cats - Blast Off!
(1989)
- The Stray Cats - Let's Go Faster!
(1990)
- The Stray Cats - The Best of the Stray Cats: Rock This Town
(1990)
- The Stray Cats - Choo Choo Hot Fish
(1992)
- The Stray Cats - Original Cool
(1993)
- Swing Cats - Swing Cats
(1999)
- Swing Cats - A Special Tribute to Elvis
(2000)
- The Head Cat - Lemmy, Slim Jim & Danny B
(2000)
- Swing Cats - Swing Cat Stomp
(2000)
- Col parker - Rock N Roll Music
(2001)
- Swing Cats - ''A Rock'A-Billy Christmas (2002)
- 13 Cats - In the Beginning
(2002)
- 13 Cats - 13 Tracks
(2003)
- Dead Men Walking - Live at Leeds
(2003)
- Dead Men Walking - Live at Darwen
(2004)
- 13 Cats - In the Beginning 2
(2004)
- The Stray Cats - Rumble in Brixton
(2004)
- Dead Men Walking - Live at CBGB's New York City
(2005)
- Dead Men Walking - Graveyard Smashes Volume 1
(2006)
- The Head Cat - ''Fools Paradise (2006)