Strider Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 (edited) Session guru Big Jim Sullivan dead at 71 James Tomkins aka Big Jim Sullivan is dead. Before Jimmy Page came on the scene as a hot-shot '60s session guitarist, there was Big Jim Sullivan laying down licks for 1000s of recordings. The acoustic guitar that Jimmy used on the first Led Zeppelin album was given to him by Big Jim Sullivan. There are frankly too many credits to list. But here's a couple obits with clips to give you an idea of the importance and legacy of the man. http://m.classicrockmagazine.com/news/session-guru-big-jim-sullivan-dead-at-71/ http://www.sonicstate.com/amped/2012/10/02/prolific-session-guitarist-big-jim-sullivan-dies/ Edited October 2, 2012 by Strider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aen27 Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 I was very sadden by this news. I just read it through BP Fallon on facebook. Thanks for starting a thread, Strider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargroves Tangie Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Sad to hear this- RIP Mr. Sullivan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deborah J Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 We are losing so many great ones. R.I.P. Big Jim Sullivan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlanetPage Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 This is truly heartbreaking today, Incredible artist, incredible legacy, such a chemistry with our very own James Patrick Page... Big Jim Sullivan, your passion for the art of music is truly cherrished by me, fine example for future generations, Thank you millions times.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepscoda Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Very sad......RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhairedqueen22 Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 may he rest in peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross62 Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Wow! I'm surprised and a touch sad as I hadn't known that Big Jim was still around.He was the "session guru" and was friends/mentor to,and mentioned by some of the world's best guitar players. I'd hazard a guess that there'll be some big names at the service. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Big Jim Sullivan is a quasi-totemic figure in the history of popular music and we shall always cherish the memories and the music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swandown Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Big Jim Sullivan was an integral element of British music in the 1960s. Without him, the British Invasion wouldn't have sounded the way that it sounded. HIS guitar licks were heard on tens of thousands of songs. I think you can make an argument that he's been more influential than any other pop/rock guitarist who ever lived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstork Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 I've only taken a small handful of guitar lessons in my life but my teacher, who is an amazing player, had a lot of praise for Big Jim. Very sad, RIP... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Sad news. I remember seeing him on the Tom Jones Show in the late 60's. As I mentioned on another thread, it wasn't until a number of years later that I discovered just how much he meant to pop music. Truely a legend. RIP Big Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZosofanCMR Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 I was scheduled to interview him in literally two days time. It was all set up and ready to go. What a loss, I really would have loved the opportunity to hear his story and tell him how big of an impact he made in the world of popular music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truth and beauty Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Very sad news... what a huge figure. RIP ZosofanCMR, how was it that you were going to interview him ? That would have been wonderful - what an amazing figure he was.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henrybonzo Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19820424 http://www.bigjimsullivan.com/JimmyPage.html http://www.bigjimsullivan.com/history.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalsh327 Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Saw mention of his passing, and between him and "Little Jimmy", had prob. done every single that came out of England in the 60s. Sometimes they played together. He was Ritchie Blackmore's mentor, being from the same area, so level of importance should be higher than the Deep Purple induction this past week. Found Big Jim talking about working with "Little Jimmy" and the different styles on the songs when they played together. Sullivan's website has the full list of sessions, now it's up to you to figure out which ones Jimmy was on with him. http://www.bigjimsullivan.com/JimmyPage.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/oct/03/big-jim-sullivan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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