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Jim Sullivan Obituary
Norma Sullivan said that Sullivan had died at their home in West Sussex, England, on Tuesday. He suffered from heart disease and diabetes and had stopped performing live recently because of his health problems.
Sullivan learned guitar as a teenager and turned professional when he was just 16. He played with many of the biggest names in British pop at the height of the "Swinging London" era.
Along with Jimmy Page, who would later star in Led Zeppelin, Sullivan was one of the most in-demand session guitarists of his era. His website lists sessions with Tom Jones, Marianne Faithfull, David Bowie, Gerry and the Pacemakers and many others. He claimed to have played on more than 1,000 singles that entered the British charts.
Sullivan's website said he joined his first band, the Wildcats, at age 17, in 1958, which he described as "the early days of rock and roll in this country."
He said he and his friends were too busy learning music to do normal teenage things.
He was known for his mastery of a wide variety of styles, from hard rock to country to blues.
"I am a very lucky man," he said on his website. "I am living my life with my hobby as my profession."
Sullivan also toured with Tom Jones's band, playing in Las Vegas casino hotels and on television shows.
He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
51 Entries
Alison Mildon
November 2, 2024
I remember as alittle girl being a boarder at a school in Sussex. Jim would take a group of us out in his car and spoil us with sweets and treats. It made the time spent at the school abit more bearable. So thankyou Jim
Harry Simpson
October 2, 2017
Godspeed Jim, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
How you can show support
Rosalind Arnold
February 27, 2016
I new Big Jim when I was 14 as he was best friends with my boyfriend Michael. Jim was fun and a great guy always playing his guitar day and night. Then Michael and Sid's group got together
Sid had a great voice and Big Jim was great on guitar. His talent was bigger than his body keep playing Jim God Bless you
Sid Gilbert
January 8, 2015
Jim with Sid Gilbert and the clay county boys
Sid Gilbert
December 8, 2014
Sidney Gilbert
December 7, 2014
I first played with Jim in 1958 when he was seventeen, a hundred
guitar players later he was still the best I even played with his own
teenage hero Denny Wright let's hope they are jamming together now, my best wishes for the future to all his family
God bless them both RIP.
Sidney Gilbert
December 7, 2014
M
Juanita
July 27, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. What a wonderful man, and talent. I had the pleasure of meeting him way back in the 70's when he was playing with Tom Jones. A very cordial, humble man. In 2008, I received an email from him "catching up with the news of the day". Very sweet indeed. The world is going to miss this gentle giant.
It was all down to you and Hank Marvin
Ray Majors
May 28, 2013
Such a sad loss, he was the man.
I have some fond memories from De-Lane-Le studios when I couldn't get a part right, he put it down in two shakes in one take. I asked him to teach me the solo to 'The Crying Game' he promised me that he would, he would if I traded him some Rock licks at 100 watts, sadly I still can't play the solo right. Jim you really were the man. RM
Stan Wears
April 15, 2013
As a guitarist playing now for 56 years, I was inspired by the sheer skills of Jim from way back in the 1960's. I always wanted to meet him and did so through a friend in Nottingham.He came to South Shields to give a demo and looked over the River Tyne on his break, remarking what a beautiful sight it was. The light has gone and the skills will never be matched. I will always remember the gentle giant whom I met.R.I.P Jim.
I salute you ' Big Jim Sullivan '
Vic Rowntree
March 12, 2013
Vic Rowntree
January 26, 2013
"My dear, Jim God bless you and may you rest in peace and I will always remember the time we met at the Suffolk Punch pub in Borehamwood in February 1994. I still have the plectrum that you gave me and I will look after it for ever and ever.
Vic Rowntree (Borehamwood)
Carole and Mike Jennings
November 20, 2012
So pleased to have known you how we will miss your amazing music and you,great guy
Lorraine Prior
October 23, 2012
I hope u and my uncle Jim are having a blast together again xxxx love to ur family xxxxx
Bill and Maureen Langridge
October 21, 2012
JIM you gave us so much pleasure watching your fingers and of course listening to the most fabulous music from your guitar You will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Norma and family
October 15, 2012
Too early for a lovely man to leave us
Will never forget Abbey Road studios where we were both session players
Andy (Drew) McKechnie
Love to Norma
mike and Carole jennings
October 14, 2012
Great man,so talented,we will miss him and his music,what a life,so sad it's over ,bless his wife Norma.and his family
October 11, 2012
To the Sullivan family,my sincere condolences to you.Please be comforted by these words found in(matt.5:8),Happy are the pure in heart,since they will see God.
(~ms.mebane)
ray king
October 10, 2012
I had the pleasure of recording with Jim many years ago at Olympic Studios .We shared a bag of sherbet lemons on that session, which I'd brought with me. It was my first major session, with Les Reed, and I was nervous. Jim sensed that, and chatted away amicably, helping me through. and eating most of the sweets! Thanks Jim. My deepest sympathy to your family. We'll miss you.
October 8, 2012
We knew Jim to talk with from his generous performances for charity for singer Brian Lee and gigs in the Four Chestnuts in Chichester and the Bersted Tavern. I used to talk to him about his work with Billy Fury and he was always so charmimg and friendly-a joy to spend a few moments during the break in his great performances. We shall miss seeing him and on behalf of all of Billy's fans we send our condolences to his famiily. He gave us all so much. Rest in peace Jim.
With fond memories-Chris,Linda, The Sound of Fury Fan Club Team and fans everywhere.
October 8, 2012
May the God of all comfort be with you at this time of grief, may all Jim's memories stay close to your heart. Psalms 46:1 Joanna
Tami B
October 8, 2012
My condolences to his wife and fsmily.
GLISIC
October 7, 2012
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE PASSING OF MR.SULLIVAN. PUT YOUR TRUST IN THE TRUE GOD JEHOVAH. SINCERELY.
KEN&MARY O'DANIEL
October 6, 2012
WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,&CONDOLENCES TO THE SULLIVAN FAMILY,FRIENDS,FANS,&ALLWHO KNEW JIM.
Steve Gordon
October 6, 2012
My best friend, a great guitarist and a real legend. I will miss him. Steve Gordon UK guitarist
Awa Wheeler
October 6, 2012
My condolences to Mr. Sullivans family. The gift God gave him he shared with so many. Any that have heard him play will be blessed with that memory for the rest of their days. May you persevere in prayer as you continue on.
October 6, 2012
May the God of all comfort be with you at this time of grief, may all Jim's memories stay close to your hearts. Psalms 46:1 Joanna
Linda
October 6, 2012
May God bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Phillipians 4:7 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
-John 14:18
Cynthia
October 6, 2012
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Sky Olsen
October 6, 2012
To the Sullivan Family,
I remember seeing and hearing Jim on so many occasions.... He and Jimmy were my real inspiration to learn and play the guitar. Now I have a collection of fine instruments. His music and spirit shall live on forever in the hearts of so many. May you be comforted by the love of our Heavenly Father during this difficult time.
michelle plakas-kaiser
October 6, 2012
rip
Jacquee Lawrence
October 6, 2012
Thank you for your contribution to our world of music!
Rosie Church
October 5, 2012
Sorry to hear of the loss of Big Jim we were lucky to meet him in the early 70's when he played with Tom Jones he took a picture with my husband and 3yr. old daughter,he was very gracious to us,he was someone we never forgot. God Bless you and your family.May Jim rest in peace.
Ray Ortega
October 5, 2012
I send my condolences to the family. As a guitarist, I always looked forward to seeing the Tom Jones show because there was always a segment before they cut to commercial and Big Jim would play a short riff or chord rhythm. I was a big fan of his and the world lost a great musician and a fantastic artist.
Betty Bruce
October 5, 2012
Thank you for sharing your talent with us..We enjoyed listening to your music..May the Lord comfort your loved one's in their time of grief.
deb
October 5, 2012
Big Jim loved his music. Will. Miss. Him
mike hopkinson
October 5, 2012
I remember playing with him back in the 60s...thirty years later my son was a drummer in one of his bands, a realy good bloke..rest in peace old buddy
October 5, 2012
Thank you for your musis ~ God bless.
earle w.
October 5, 2012
May God provide strength and comfort for his family and close friends.
out performing with Thanks to Jim
Hubert Dias
October 5, 2012
Dear Jim Thank you for the inspiration with your guitar playing which influenced my guitar playing. May the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Oriole Guide and guard you to heaven to enable you to look after us especially our ability to keep playing our guitars and to aspire to your incredible standard.
October 5, 2012
To the the family of Jim Sulivan - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
October 4, 2012
~ Rest In Peace ~
October 4, 2012
May you find comfort in the God of refuge at this time. Psalm 46:1
Roy
October 4, 2012
Sorry to hear of the death of Jim, what a loss. May the God of all comfort be with the family during this difficult time.
Julie
October 4, 2012
Rest in Peace
L.J. Sanchez
October 4, 2012
May you rest in peace no more pain.God Bless you & all family members,friends too!My deepest Condolences & Sympathy & God give you the Strength & Comfort to go forward @ a Difficult time of Sorrow.Always L.J.Sanchez
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