Jimmy Holiday
American recording artist; singer, songwriter, record producer
About Jimmy Holiday
Lived 1934 – 1987 (aged 52). Jimmy Holiday was an American singer, songwriter, record producer and recording artist.
Jimmy Holiday (July 24, 1934 – February 15, 1987) was an American R&B singer and songwriter.
Holiday was born in Sallis, Mississippi, United States. He recorded for Everest Records in the 1960s and later moved to the New Orleans label Minit Records. His first recording "How Can I Forget" reached the top ten on the US Billboard R&B chart in 1963.
Holiday's best-known composition is "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," co-written with Jackie DeShannon and Randy Myers. In the United States, it was DeShannon's highest-charting hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1969 and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In late 1969, the song reached No. 1 on South Africa's hit parade.
Holiday died in 1987 in Iowa City of heart failure.
Discography Albums 1966: Turning Point (Minit Records) 1970: Spread Your Love (Minit Records) 1975: United Artists Music Publishing Group Present Songs of Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Holiday, Eddie Reeves (United Artists Records)
Singles +TitleYearUS US R&B "How Can I Forget"1963578"Baby I Love You"19669821"Everybody Needs Help"196736"Spread Your Love"196835
Notable compositions "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" (Jackie DeShannon, 1969) "All I Ever Need Is You" (Ray Charles, 1971)
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Important facts
People in Jimmy Holiday's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Jimmy Holiday's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Jimmy Holiday?
American recording artist; singer, songwriter, record producer (1934-1987)
When was Jimmy Holiday born?
Jimmy Holiday was born on 24 July 1934.
When did Jimmy Holiday die?
Jimmy Holiday died on 15 February 1987.
What was Jimmy Holiday's occupation?
Jimmy Holiday was a singer, songwriter, record producer and recording artist.
What nationality was Jimmy Holiday?
Jimmy Holiday was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jimmy Holiday. https://biography.guide/jimmy-holiday-singer/
MLA: "Jimmy Holiday." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jimmy-holiday-singer/.
Chicago: "Jimmy Holiday." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jimmy-holiday-singer/.
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