Jim Smith

* 2020s
* 2010s
* 2000s
* '90s
* '80s
* '70s

**James** "**Jim**" **Smith** is a British musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known for being a bass player for the band Cardiacs and the brother of Tim Smith.

## Early life

Smith always had an interest in music along with his brother, Tim.

## Career

### Cardiacs

> *See main article: Cardiacs*
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Smith is best known for his work as co-founder and vocalist/bass player for the band Cardiacs. The band was originally called "Cardiac Arrest" and 1980 saw the release of the only Cardiac Arrest album, *The Obvious Identity*. Cardiac Arrest's lineup had Michael Pugh under the pseudonym of Peter Boker as vocals until he left (Smith took over the vocals for the remaining songs), Jim's brother Tim Smith under the pseudonym of Philip Pilf on guitar and synth, Jim Smith under the pseudonym of Patty Pilf on bass, Colvin Mayers under the pseudonym of Duncan Doilet as vocals and synth and Mark Cawthra under the pseudonym of Little Bobby Shattocks on drums.

In 1981, Tim decided to rename the band Cardiacs and helped record their first album, *Toy World*, on cassette at Crow Studios. After another lineup change, Tim recruited Tim Quy (percussion), Sarah Cutts (saxophone) and Dominic Luckman (drums).

The Alphabet Business Concern label was created in 1984. Tim was asked by vocalist Fish to support his band Marillion on their forthcoming tour near the end of the year. He agreed but was not prepared for the hostile audience that awaited them on all legs of the tour (forcing them off the final three days of the tour). From then until 1999, Cardiacs released six studio albums, as well as a number of singles, EPs and live albums.

## Personal life

### The death of Tim Smith

Following the death of Tim Smith, Jim wrote a message on the Cardiacs website:

> *I'm sorry, on such a glorious day, to tell you the news that my dearest brother Tim passed away suddenly last night.*
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> *Sorry it's a brief message but I don’t have it in me to speak at length just now.*
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> *Love to you all. Be safe.*
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> *With respect,*
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> ***Jim***
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Jim wrote a funeral notice for Tim on Dignity Funerals:

> *Tim sadly passed away on 21st July 2020 aged 59 years, will be terribly missed by myself and all who knew him. I won't go on about Tims musical genius, as we all know that to be a given, and many other more eloquent people have done a better job of that than I ever could.*
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> *But I will say a few words about his character. He could be a stubborn, self centred tyrant of a man who bulldozed through his life with no thought of the consequences, but at the same time he was the gentlest, loving, funny and amazing brother anyone could wish for and I will miss him terribly.*
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> *He was my best friend, my inspiration and I can think of no one else I would rather have spent the last 59 years with in my life.*
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> *I will also say that he was the bravest man I have ever known, the last twelve years of his life must have been the most painful, frustrating and demoralising but his spirit was never broken. The proudest day of my life was to collect his Honorary Doctorate of Music on his behalf. To hear all these top musicians and music scholars talking about Tim as one of their own was fantastic, I could have burst! Who would have thought, eh?*
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> *Anyway …*
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> *He once told me that dying is nothing to be worried about, because he had done it before and he wasn't scared anymore. I find great comfort in that and I hope you will too.*
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> *I think he would have greatly approved of the work the Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital does. Thats why I have nominated them for charitable donations so cough up!*
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> *Jim Smith*
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## References

1. ↑ https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/tim-smith-death-cardiacs-singer-age-cause-heart-attack-a9632031.html
2. ↑ Larkin, Colin (1992). *The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music*. **1**. Guinness Publishing. p. 413. ISBN 9780851129396
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "History - CARDIACS". *Cardiacs*. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
4. ↑ Backley, Peter (1999). *The Rough Guide to Rock*. Rough Guides (3rd ed.). Rough Guides Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85828-457-6.