Jim Clancy, whose rich bass voice helped define the sound of American jingle production for decades, has died at the age of 87.
Jim first sang at PAMS in Dallas in the late 1950s, joining the pioneering jingle company at the height of its influence on radio imaging. By 1970, his tone had become a key part of the signature Dallas seven-voice group sound that would inspire generations of producers.
In the mid-1970s, Jim joined JAM Creative Productions, where he sang bass for more than 30 years and remained a constant presence through hundreds of sessions for stations around the world.
Beyond jingles, Jim’s passion for harmony led him to create and direct the Vocal Majority, a barbershop chorus that went on to earn multiple international awards and acclaim for its precision and warmth.
Those who worked with him remember his enthusiasm for four-part harmony and his spontaneous “barbershop tags” sung with colleagues between takes. His deep love of music and commitment to excellence left an enduring legacy both in radio and in the choral world.
Jim Clancy passed away on 16 April this year. He was 87.
Photo: JAM Creative Productions