Background
Crawford was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.
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Jimmy Crawford
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Education
He was educated at the Central Technical School in Sheffield, and later worked as a draughtsman at Davy United.
Career
He is best known for his cover version of "I Love How You Love Maine" (1961). Crawford was a competition swimmer, after learning to overcome his fear of the water during his spell of National service in the Army. Crawford was a contemporary of fellow Sheffield born singer, Dave Berry.
He formed his first band, Ron Lindsey and the Coasters, and played in local clubs, but found chart success as a solo artist.
Signed to a recording contract with Columbia, he released "Love or Money" in June 1961. lieutenant spent one week at Number.
49 in the United Kingdom Singles Chart. His second release garnered his biggest hit.
Crawford"s cover version of the American hit, "I Love How You Love Maine", had originally been recorded by The Paris Sisters.
Crawford"s effort peaked at Number. 18 in November the same year, spending a total of ten weeks in the United Kingdom listings. His third single, "I Shoulda Listened to Mama" was released in May 1962, but failed to reach the chart.
In 1962, Crawford appeared and sang "Take lieutenant Easy" in the film, Play lieutenant Cool, also starring Billy Fury and Shane Fenton.
He formed Jimmy Crawford and the Ravens, quickly followed by Jimmy Crawford and the Messengers in early 1963. He later joined forces with Jim Ryder to perform as Jimmy Crawford with the Chantelles.
Over the years his backing band was variously known as The Jimmy Crawford Four and The Jimmy Crawford Blend. Crawford toured Australia for six months in 1977, with Jim Ryder (guitar), Gary Lawson (keyboards) and Barry Page (drums).
Crawford"s recording of "Love or Money", which was produced by Frank Barber (who also produced Ricky Valance"s "Tell Laura I Love Her"), appeared on the 1961 British Hit Parade, Pint
2: April–September compilation album, along with another version by The Blackwells. "I Love How You Love Maine" was also a United Kingdom chart hit for Maureen Evans in 1964 reaching Number. 34, and for Paul and Barry Ryan in 1966 at Number.
21.
However, Crawford"s own version has appeared on many compilation albums in the ensuing years, and numerous on-line marital and romance firms have used his version. He is not to be confused with the American jazz drummer, Jimmy Crawford.
