I first met Jim in the summer of 2003. The Stray Cats had long been my favourite band although much to my disappointment I'd never had the chance to see them live. I was finally able to see my drumming hero Mr Slim Jim Phantom when he came to England with Dead Men Walking. What an inspirational show! Jim was awesome and it was amazing watching him play for the very first time. Before leaving the venue Jim very kindly took the time to chat with me. Certainly a night I'll never forget!
Since then it has been my absolute privilege to work with Jim on SlimJimPhantom.com and to have been present at many more incredible shows.
What can I say about Jim? He's a real gentleman and one of the rockinest cats on the planet.
I wanted to add this page to SJP.com as a THANK YOU and salute to the man who I think is the "coolest drummer in rock n roll". So, unbeknown to Jim (sorry Jim!), I asked some of his musical friends if they too would like to pay tribute to 'The Phantom'. As you'll see below they were glad to be able to contribute.
So finally, all that remains for me to say is: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM!!!
Faith ~ 18 March '04

One day in the summer of 1980, after being in London for about 3/4 months I’m walking in Porta Bella road, a cool shopping district in London, and I hear my name called out, I look around and it’s Brian Setzer. I ask him what he’s doing here and he tells me he’s there with his Band. I tell him it’s cool that the Bloodless Pharaohs are playing in London, but he says no he’s there with his rockabilly band the Tom Cats. He introduces me to Lee Rocker and Slim Jim who are also with him and whom I had never met before. Slim Jim is about 17 or so and has a really young face but he’s walking with a cane like an old man. If I remember correctly the cane was a real ornate one that looked more for decoration than function so I thought it must be part of his image and that it was a little weird.

I went back to the Ripchords camp and told Levi I had seen Brian and he had this weird drummer who used a cane for a prop! Of course a month or so later I saw them play at Dingwalls, after they changed their name to The Stray Cats, Slim Jim no longer had a cane so I figured it was because he had realized how silly it looked. Jim was the first drummer I saw who stood up to play and I also thought the cane would have interfered with that as well. It wasn’t until years later when we started the 13 Cats and I recalled the story for Jim the he told me it hadn’t been a prop but he had actually hurt his ankle the first day they arrived in London and had to use a cane until it healed.

Danny B Harvey ~ 19 March '04

www.dannybharvey.com

Kirk Brandon, London ~ 15 March '04

ps. they don't come cooler or better.

www.kirkbrandon.com

Your Buddy,
Dickie Harrell
""THE BLUE-CAPS"" ~ 14 March '04

www.rockabillyhall.com/gvdickie.html

I call him simply, "The Phantom". And I've actually been informed that the Fox channel is interested in shooting yet another reality based sitcom about his life....the title you ask? Of course: The Phantom of the Cat Club".

His passion for scarves is unbridled. His inveterate wearing of different colored socks borders on the juvenile. His taste in hats and vests is frightening. Yet for all these seemingly harsh criticisms, he is Slim Jim Phantom..... and he don't give a f$!@k what you think..... and ya know what..... I wouldn't change a thing.....!!

Happy B day big guy...... coming from the total poser that stands to your right every Thursday at the Cat..... many more to come.... as well as many more good times at the Club!

Cheers! Ryan Roxie ~ 11 March '04

www.roxie77.com

www.djfontana-tcb.com