Jimmy Soul

Jimmy Soul, (24 August 1942–25 June, 1988) musician, born in Weldon, NC, USA. Performed gospel as a teenager, later scouted by Frank Guida and recruited to play songs handpicked for one of Guida's other hit artists, Gary U.S. Bo

Jimmy Soul, (24 August 1942–25 June, 1988) musician, born in Weldon, NC, USA. Performed gospel as a teenager, later scouted by Frank Guida and recruited to play songs handpicked for one of Guida's other hit artists, Gary U.S. Bonds. Soul only ever had two chart hits, both which were Bond's cast-offs, "Twistin' Matilda" in 1962 and the number one hit "If You Wanna Be Happy" (based on the calypso, Ugly Woman, by Roaring Lion) in 1963. After unsuccessfully trying to follow up the success of those songs with one more album, he gave up his career as a musician and joined the Army. He died of a heart attack in 1988.