Jimmy Burns - I Really Love You

Chicago blues singer Jimmy Burns turns his hand to a real 1960's stomper with "I Really Love You", which turned out to be a collectors item in Britain. Back in early 1999, this was yet another legendary Northern Soul smash that we filmed for "The Strange World Of Northern Soul", a documentary about the entire history of the Northern Soul scene, which contained 131 specially recorded performances of all the classics, and is still available now. We tracked Jimmy down to make this one time performance especially for us, for our ground breaking Encyclopedia Britannica of Northern Soul, and I am so glad that we did. Jimmy was born near Dublin, Mississippi in 1943 and was fascinated by music early on. He loved the sounds coming out of the church, and the blues he heard on the streets. Burns sang in church and taught himself how to play guitar while he was still in the Delta. Burns was 12 when his family moved to Chicago. Within a year he was singing with a gospel group called the Gay Lites. Living on the Near North Side, he was caught up in the music of The Impressions and Major Lance who would rehearse in a park near his home. In 1959, at the age of 16 he joined The Medallionaires, an established vocal group, and did some recording. Burns was also part of the folk scene in the early 60's. He sang and played guitar at The Fickle Pickle, the Gate of Horn, and coffee houses around town. As R&B turned to soul in the 60's Burns cut a few soul singles for the USA, Minit, Tip Top and Erica labels. He then travelled throughout the Midwest, with a band called the Fantastic Epics. They appeared at the Arie Crown Theatre in Chicago on a bill with Jeff Beck and the Yardbirds. He formed his own band in the late 60's called Jimmy Burns and the Gas Company. The reality of raising a family however, cut short Burns full-time musical career.

Added 1 May 2026