Colin James
A Canadian blues-rock stalwart who bridged the gap between classic Chicago blues and mainstream rock, becoming a radio fixture for decades.
Born 1964 (age 62)·Canadian singer-songwriter·Birthday: August 17·Baby Boomers
Biography
Colin James emerged from the prairies of Regina, Saskatchewan, a guitar prodigy who soaked up the sounds of Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson alongside rock and roll. His break came opening for Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was so impressed he helped James land his first record deal. His self-titled 1988 debut exploded in Canada, fueled by the swing-rock hit 'Voodoo Thing.' James never settled into a single groove; he followed up with a jump-blues album with his Little Big Band, then delved into soulful rock, always with his clean, tasteful guitar work at the forefront. While major U.S. stardom eluded him, he became a consistent and respected force in Canadian music, racking up platinum sales and Juno Awards. His career is a testament to craftsmanship over flash, a musician who served the song and the tradition with unshakeable skill.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Colin was born in 1964, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Colin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1964
#1 Movie
Mary Poppins
Best Picture
My Fair Lady
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Colin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1964Born
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1969Started school
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1977Became a teenager
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Could drive
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1982Could vote
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Turned 21
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1994Turned 30
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 40
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 50
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 60
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 62 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Juno Award for 'Most Promising Male Vocalist' in 1989 and has won a total of seven Juno Awards.
- His 1988 self-titled debut album went double-platinum in Canada and spawned the hit single 'Voodoo Thing.'
- Formed the successful side project 'Colin James & the Little Big Band,' reviving jump blues and swing music.
- Has released over twenty albums, with seven achieving Gold status or higher in Canada.
Did You Know?
He taught himself guitar by listening to records and dropped out of school at 16 to play professionally.
He played guitar on the 1989 Traveling Wilburys track 'Nobody's Child.'
James is left-handed but plays guitar right-handed.
He collaborated with legends like Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, and Buddy Guy.
“The blues is the truth. If you're not playing the truth, you're not playing the blues.”
