Jimmy Jones (comedian)
Albert Simmonds (born 9 February 1938), better known by the stage name Jimmy Jones, is an English stand-up comedian, with a reputation for being outspoken.[1]
Jimmy Jones | |
---|---|
Born | Albert Simmonds 9 February 1938 Southampton, Hampshire, England |
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Comedian |
Years active | 1962-present |
Life
Jones was born as Albert Simmonds, on 9 February 1938 in Southampton, England.[2] He grew up in Rainham, Essex, attending a Catholic school, and initially wanting to train as a priest.[1]
Jones's autobiography, Now This is a Very True Story (ISBN 978-1843581963), written with the aid of Garry Bushell, was published in 2010.[3]
Career
Jones first appeared on stage in 1962 at the Dagenham Working Men's Club, on the same bill as Max Bygraves.[4] Granada Television discovered Jones in a Walthamstow pub in 1970, recruiting him for their popular Saturday night show, The Comedians.[5]
Jones' catchphrase 'Kin' ell' was a play on words, derived from footballer George Kinnell.
In 1983, Jones was presented with what is reported to have been the first gold disc for a comedy album, after his Live from the Talk of East Anglia (1981) achieved 100,000 sales.[6] He was the first stand-up comedian to release a video of his live shows, and in the early 1980s had three videos in the UK top ten.[4] In 1994, The Independent newspaper reported that Jones was then "alleged to be the highest-paid stand-up comedian in Britain".[5]
Celebrating fifty-six years in show business in 2018, Jones announced new tour dates.[7]
External links
- Official website
- Jimmy Jones on IMDb
- Discography at Discogs
- Jimmy Jones at The Comedy Club website
References
- "Comedy Legend Jimmy Jones coming to Lakeside and Circus Tavern". Thurrock Gazette. 7 November 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
- "Jimmy Jones (iv)". IMDb. 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- "Now This is a Very True Story : The Autobiography of a Comedy Legend". The Daily Telegraph. 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- "Comedian Jimmy Jones is returning to the Dagenham Roundhouse". Barking & Dagenham Post. 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- "A video code comedians swear by". The Independent. 1994. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- "Jimmy Jones". Nice People Productions. 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- "Jimmy Jones Tour Dates". Ents24. 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.