Who is the song Top Jimmy about?

[Lawdog47]

I've been wondering if the song Top Jimmy is about anyone in particular. I'd like to think it was inspired about someone great.

[SoCalChelle]

Top Jimmy & the Rhythm Pigs

http://www.tonrecords.com/bands/topjimmy_obit.html

[BigDaddyD]

I thought Top Jimmy was about Jim Dandy, the guy DLR based his entire image off of?

[SoCalChelle]

No

[BigDaddyD]

So you are the expert on this? I could have sworn that is what DLR said. I will have to check on it, but I will take your word for now. I do, however, find it ironic that it isn't mentioned in the link that you gave, yet they seemed to mention anything seemingly important to this guys life.

[SoCalChelle]

How about this from the vhnd? http://www.vhnd.com/articles/010525-01.shtml

Top Jimmy Passes Away
May 25, 2001 - James Paul Koncek, better known as Top Jimmy, died in Las Vegas on May 17 aged 46. The leader of Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs was the subject of the Van Halen song depicting his name. It appeared on the band's album 1984.

[SoCalChelle]

Or this from MSN http://entertainment.msn.com/artist/?artist=120589

Top Jimmy
Biography

One of the more interesting cult rock figures of the '80s was blues-rock guitarist Top Jimmy. Although he earned accolades from such renowned outfits as X and Van Halen, Jimmy's popularity never spread outside of Los Angeles, making him something of a local legend. Born James Koncek during 1954 in Louisville, KY, Top Jimmy grew up in Southern California before eventually relocating to Hollywood to ... Read MoreOne of the more interesting cult rock figures of the '80s was blues-rock guitarist Top Jimmy. Although he earned accolades from such renowned outfits as X and Van Halen, Jimmy's popularity never spread outside of Los Angeles, making him something of a local legend. Born James Koncek during 1954 in Louisville, KY, Top Jimmy grew up in Southern California before eventually relocating to Hollywood to launch a music career. It was during the late '70s that Jimmy began to make a name for himself with his hot blues guitar playing, as he became aligned with the area's burgeoning punk scene (he'd been longtime friends with X guitarist Billy Zoom). Jimmy's popularity with punks also quickly grew when he would sneak free burritos to penniless musicians from his Taco stand, Top Taco on La Brea. The guitarist also quickly developed a reputation for his hard-living lifestyle, which spilled over into his band, Top Jimmy & the Rhythm Pigs, who made it a point to drink as much as possible during performances. Despite the alcohol abuse, Top Jimmy was still able to build a sizeable regional following during the late '70s/early '80s, but unfortunately, was never able to issue a recording during this era.
The group became one of L.A.'s must-see live acts, as they mixed originals with covers of Jimi Hendrix, Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan, Otis Rush, and Howlin' Wolf; while such distinguished guests as Tom Waits, David Lee Roth, Maria McKee, and his pals from X and the Blasters would join the group on-stage. Jimmy's name was introduced to rock fans worldwide when Van Halen recorded a tribute to the guitarist on their mega-hit 1984 album (the appropriately titled song, "Top Jimmy"), which led to the release of the Rhythm Pigs' debut recording, Pigus Drunkus Maximus, in 1987. Shortly after the album's release however, the group split up, as Jimmy relocated to Las Vegas to try and clean up his act. Not much was heard from the guitarist during this time, as his only appearances on record consisted of brief spots on compilation albums (1989's Only 39,999,999 Behind Thriller and 1990s L.A. Ya Ya). Jimmy's health continued to deteriorate throughout the '90s, a decade which saw the guitarist manage to issue a sophomore recording, The Good Times Are Killing Me, in 1998. The album's title proved to be sadly prophetic for Top Jimmy, as he died from liver failure in Las Vegas on May 17, 2001, at the age of 46. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide

[SoCalChelle]

Need more?

[SoCalChelle]

Originally posted by BigDaddyD
So you are the expert on this?

Kinda :p

[GAR]

Drugs and their connections to Top Jimmy?

Anyone wanna answer that one?

[=Marshall=]

Aside from the songs topic itself...

I always liked to think that Dave's girly "Ohh Jimmyy" in the end of the song was meant to sarcasticly mimic Robert Plant (who used to scream "Ohh Jimmyy" during Zeppelin's live show's, just before the guitar solo to Nobody's Fault But Mine).

Who knows? I don't!

[5151 Parrothead]

Re: Who is the song Top Jimmy about?

Originally posted by Lawdog47
I've been wondering if the song Top Jimmy is about anyone in particular. I'd like to think it was inspired about someone great.

I'd heard Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs too.

[SoCalChelle]

Originally posted by GAR
Drugs and their connections to Top Jimmy?

Anyone wanna answer that one?

Go ahead, I'm not sure I know what you're referring to....

[DLRdelight!]

A song inspired a band called top jimmy and the rythme pigs as socal.... said

[Matt White]

Jimmy Walker......KID DY-NO-MITE!!!!!