Barry Jackson Authors (July 7, 1933 – May 10, 2026), better known as J. J. Barrie, was a Canadian songwriter, singer and comedian. He is best known for his 1976 UK chart-topper "No Charge".[1]
J. J. Barrie | |
|---|---|
.png) J. J. Barrie, in 1976 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Barry Authors July 7, 1933 Oshawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | May 10, 2026 (aged 92) Newmarket, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Works | |
| Years active | 1960s–1980s |
| Label | Power Exchange |
Life and career
editBarry Jackson Authors was born in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada on July 7, 1933.[2]
Originally a Blue Mink[3] and Ocean manager, and comedian of the famed duo "Authors and Swinson",[3] Barrie turned to songwriting and in early 1976 co-wrote "Where's The Reason" with Terry Britten for Glen Campbell. They sent a demo to Campbell's producer, but he suggested Barrie record it.[4] This he did, but it was unsuccessful. Undaunted, Barrie recorded a cover version of the country ballad "No Charge", penned by Harlan Howard, on Barrie's own label, Power Exchange.[4] The track featured an uncredited vocal from Vicki Brown (wife of Joe Brown, and one-time member of both The Vernons Girls and The Breakaways), and was produced by Bill Amesbury. The single reached Number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in June 1976, where it remained for one week.[5] The track spent eleven weeks in the chart.[1]
The session musician Clem Cattini played the drums of "No Charge", one of his forty five UK number one hit appearances on record. Billy Connolly's 1976 Top 40 hit, "No Chance (No Charge)", was a spoof version of Barrie's chart-topper.
Barrie re-released "Where's The Reason" as a follow-up but it again failed to chart.[4] Power Exchange had one other UK Top 20 hit single – "Who's Gonna Love Me" by The Imperials (without Little Anthony) in December 1977[6] – after which the label ceased trading.[4] Barrie returned to Canada and tried to resume music publishing, artist management and agency representation – his former jobs during the 1960s.[4] In 1980, he returned to the UK to record his own track, "You Can't Win 'Em All" b/w "It's Only A Game" – with the then Nottingham Forest F.C. manager Brian Clough – which was released on MCA late in the year.[4] However, without any further chart presence in the UK, he remains labelled as a one-hit wonder. He released two albums for RCA, My Son and Dreamin', and another single, also called "My Son".
Barrie's erstwhile recording partner, Vicki Brown, died of cancer on June 16, 1991.[7]
In 1999, an album, titled No Charge was issued on Start Records.[8]
Barrie released a UK compilation album in 2011 through the Demon Music Group, called No Charge. In the US, a new download only album, is Especially for You.[citation needed]
Barrie died at the Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket, Ontario, on May 10, 2026, at the age of 92.[9]
He is not to be confused with J. J. Barrie (author and novelist of To Steal a Lady and To Kill a Priest).[10]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | The Autumn of My Life | Power Exchange |
| 1977 | Did I Forget to Say Thank You | Power Exchange |
| 1978 | Call My Name | RCA |
| 1980 | You Can't Win 'Em All | RCA |
| 1983 | Sings Songs from Fraggle Rock | Cherry Lane |
| 1999 | No Charge | Start |
| 2017 | My Canada | Angel Air |
Singles
edit| Year | Title | UK | AU | SA | CA | NZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | "No Charge"[11] | 1 | 29 | 2 | 39 | 16 |
| 1976 | "So Long Bing" | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1976 | "Boys Will Be Boys" | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1977 | "Top Ten Fool" | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1978 | "Call My Name" | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1980 | "You Can't Win 'Em All" (with Brian Clough) | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1983 | "My Son" | 96 | – | – | – | – |
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 43. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ JULY Birthdays and Deaths. Bittersuiteband.com. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
- 1 2 Roberts, David (2001). British Hit Singles (14th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 46. ISBN 0-85156-156-X.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Archived June 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 327. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 268. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ The Dead Rock Stars Club 1990–1991. Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
- ↑ No Charge – J.J. Barrie | Credits. AllMusic (October 1, 1999). Retrieved January 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Authors, Barry Jackson". Newmarket Today. May 15, 2026. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ↑ J.J. Barrie Writer and Author – Index page. Jjbarrie.com (November 15, 2013). Retrieved January 26, 2014.
- ↑ "J. J. Barrie – No Charge / Till You're Loving Me Again – Power Exchange – Netherlands – 5C 006-97771". 45cat. November 18, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
External links
edit- J. J. Barrie discography at Discogs
- J. J. Barrie at IMDb
- BBC.co.uk Top of the Pops 2 video clip