- Born
- Died
- Birth nameRichard Leon Isaac Vapnick
- Dick James was born on December 12, 1920 in London, England, UK. He was an actor and producer, known for W. (2008), Teenage Bad Girl (1956) and Dulcimer Street (1948). He died on February 1, 1986 in London, England, UK.
- Children
- Entered the music-publishing business as his singing career declined; his clients included both Elton John and the Beatles.
- James sold his shares of Northern Songs (the company he co-founded with The Beatles and Brian Epstein) to Britain's ATV in 1969, fearing both the Beatles' breakup and the negative publicity generated by John and Yoko's "peace campaign." James reportedly made no attempt to either inform the Beatles of his plans or give them a chance to buy him out; John learned of the sale reading a newspaper during his honeymoon with Yoko, after the deal was completed. James' action resulted in John and Paul's losing control of Northern Songs, and their own song copyrights.
- In the 1950s he often appeared in the top ten Melody Maker vocal charts alongside the likes of Dickie Valentine and Frank Holder.
- He sang with North London dance bands in his early teens, and was a regular vocalist at the Cricklewood Palais by the age of seventeen.
- With his son Stephen, James founded the DJM record label and recording studios, which signed Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
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