BOB JAMES – Former MONTROSE Singer Dies Due To “Stomach Ulcer Complications”
February 26, 2021, 3 years ago
Vocalist Robert "Bob" James, best known for his work with the band Montrose, has died from stomach ulcer complications.
In 1975, James got his big break when he was drafted by Ronnie Montrose to replace Sammy Hagar in a reconfigured Montrose lineup that released two albums, Warner Bros. Presents...Montrose (1975) and Jump On It (1976).
After leaving Montrose in early 1977, James, born in 1952, reconvened with his pre-Montrose band Shatterminx, aka Swan, who recorded and gigged in the Los Angeles area.
(Photo: Norman Seef)
In early 1978, James was drafted to front the Peter Frampton-mentored NYC-based group Magnet, which featured ex- Humble Pie drummer Jerry Shirley and released the album Worldwide Attraction on A&M.
Throughout most of the 1980s, James was active with his LA-based band Elements.
In 2017, the "Ronnie Montrose Remembered" tribute concert, held in conjunction with the annual NAMM show and organized by Montrose vocalist Keith St. John, featured James performing some of his Montrose classics.
In early 2021, previously unreleased 1970s recordings of James with his pre and post Montrose bands Shatterminx and Swan were uploaded to YouTube in album format presentations.
James is survived by a son, songwriter and musician Brendan Willing James.
