Jim Gillette (born James Gillette) is an American singer, semi-notable for being the frontman of glam metal band Nitro. Gillette released a solo album titled “Proud To Be Loud” in 1987 before co-founding Nitro and moving into his mom’s basement just months later.
On this issue, Gillette explains -
“Having studio space in my bedroom was key to my success. There aren’t many musicians that can wake up at noon and begin recording without ever having to see sunlight [chuckles]. If I wanted to, I would stay in my basement for days at a time. My mom brought me sausages and eggs at 1 pm everyday while I worked on my record. No one saw me but her, no one even knew I existed – It was like I wasn’t even alive, and that’s what made me so successful.”
Gillette’s living quarters were small at best, but his ability to improvise wasn’t just apparent on the big stage at the local high school where he paid to play at the annual talent show, his skill also translated into his recording studio/bedroom.
“I maximized my space, I had to. I swapped my queen for a twin because the other half of the bed was wasting space. I’m still not sure why one person would need such a wide bed.”
But his space-saving resourcefulness didn’t end there – Gillette has been “making waves” on the internet, and though after twenty years in the business, he still isn’t available on Apple’s popular iTunes, his YouTube music videos have generated enough traffic to his personal website that he has since been able to afford moving out of his mom’s basement and into the main floor of the house he grew up in.
“I bought a small webcam so I could record professional style amateur music videos without the burden of hiring someone to hold the camera, it clips onto my computer… The internet has been great for me, really great. I can perform in front of a huge crowd online, in front of no one in my basement. And it’s always better to perform live for no one and have people show up on the internet, than to perform live at a venue and have no one show up at all.”
“Optomism Jim” as his mom calls him, was kind enough to provide us with a link to his most memorable performance on YouTube which can be seen below.
I grew up with Jimmy in Nebraska. Last I heard, he was married to Lita Ford – and NOT living in his (or his Mom’s) basement. He can definitely sing! I remember in the 80s you could buy his books/cassettes on how to scream / sing like him. Definitely a character. If you see this, Jim, look me up! [email protected]
I grew up with Jimmy in Nebraska. Last I heard, he was married to Lita Ford – and NOT living in his (or his Mom’s) basement. He can definitely sing! I remember in the 80s you could buy his books/cassettes on how to scream / sing like him. Definitely a character. If you see this, Jim, look me up! [email protected]
Are you for real Jay?
Are you for real Jay?
Yeah I took lessons from him many years ago and yes it did help with my range and power. Last I heard he was married to Lita Ford, living in the Bahamas and a Gracie Ju-Jitsu instructor. The dude is hugh and bald as hell, but time is not kind to the hair metal generation…
Yeah I took lessons from him many years ago and yes it did help with my range and power. Last I heard he was married to Lita Ford, living in the Bahamas and a Gracie Ju-Jitsu instructor. The dude is hugh and bald as hell, but time is not kind to the hair metal generation…
Hey jim how have you been? I met you on bourbon street during the shooting of (long way from home)video!! I was sixteen then me and my bro phil. we went to pensacola florida and rodied for yall two weeks later at the niteowl !!Man that was fun!! Then me and my bro & fellow band member heard you was playin at the crazy horse in biloxi mississippi.We called the the crazy horse and asked to talk to you and to our surprize they put you on the phone! And we came And seen you play there! awesome show bro! Any way I see you’ve gotten married and had kids! Lita Ford too totaly awesome JIM! I’m married also i have five kids and me and phil still play in a band together we call our selves CRIPPLE*MAN you can check us out on myspace! Well I hope to here from you my email is ([email protected]) take care bro.