Remembering the life and music of Jimmy Guilford

August 25, 2024

Hear a tribute to the famed Indianapolis soul singer Jimmy Guilford, he passed away earlier this month.

Jimmy Guilford started his career singing doo-wop on the streets of Indiana Avenue. His talents would eventually carry him to the Apollo Theater in New York, the nightclubs of Las Vegas, and the recording studios of Detroit, where Jimmy cut a series of classic soul singles.

Guilford’s career in Indianapolis spanned over six decades of music making. He worked with some of the greatest music legends in Indianapolis, from the jazz icon Wes Montgomery to the rock and roll star Thurston Harris. 

We’ll share a 2019 interview Guilford recorded with WFYI’s Kyle Long, along with rare singles he recorded with the Lamplighters and Four Sounds.