Today, June 22, is the birthday of Jimmy Somerville, known for his high falsetto voice and his work as the lead singer of the bands Bronski Beat and The Communards in the 1980s, as well as his solo career. The edit above and his portrait on the musical reference works/birthday calendars below were made by me, Frieke.
Jimmy Somerville was born on June 22, 1961, in Glasgow, Scotland. At the age of 17, Jimmy moved to London to escape the homophobia and limited opportunities he experienced there. In London, he found a more open and diverse community. He became active in London's gay scene and got involved in various LGBTQ+ activist movements. He used his music career to address important social issues such as homophobia, inequality, and AIDS awareness. In 1983, he met Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek, with whom he formed Bronski Beat. Their debut album, he Age of Consent (1984), features the hit Smalltown Boy, an autobiographical song about a young gay man fleeing his conservative environment. Other hits like Why? and It Ain't Necessarily So were also very popular and addressed themes such as homosexuality and social inequality. After leaving Bronski Beat, Somerville formed The Communards in 1985 with pianist Richard Coles. Their cover of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' Don't Leave Me This Way became a huge hit, reaching number one in the United Kingdom. Other well-known songs include So Cold the Night and Never Can Say Goodbye. In 1988, Jimmy Somerville began a solo career. His first solo album, Read My Lips, includes hits such as Comment te dire adieu and You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real). He released several more albums, including Dare to Love (1995), Manage the Damage (1999), en Homage (2015), a tribute to disco music.
Somerville was one of the first pop stars to be openly gay and used his music to draw attention to LGBTQ+ issues. His work has impacted the LGBTQ+ community and pop music in general, highlighting social issues through his art. He has been involved in various documentaries and films, both as a subject and contributing artist, including the documentary "The Age of Consent" (2001). This documentary explores the history of Bronski Beat and their influence on the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the 1980s. Jimmy Somerville speaks extensively about his experiences and the impact of his music on the community. The documentary "Smalltown Boy" (2014) focuses on the life and career of Jimmy Somerville, with a specific focus on the iconic song "Smalltown Boy" and its significance for the LGBTQ+ community. "Orlando" (1992) is a British film based on the novel by Virginia Woolf, directed by Sally Potter. Jimmy Somerville has a cameo role as an angel and sings in the film, contributing to its unique atmosphere. "Pride" (2014) is a British comedy-drama film that tells the true story of a group of LGBTQ+ activists who supported the British miners during their strike in 1984-1985. The song "Why?" is prominently featured in the soundtrack, adding to the emotional impact of the film.
Somerville is known for his unique falsetto voice and often combined pop, disco, and electronic music in his songs. He remains active in the music industry, with new music and performances worldwide.
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