He appeared on The Beatles' Around the Beatles television special in 1964. Proby travelled to London after being introduced to Jack Good by Sheeley and Jackie DeShannon. After a number of unsuccessful singles, in 1962 Proby began writing songs and recording demos for artists such as Elvis Presley, Bobby Vee, and Johnny Burnette, who had his final UK chart success with the song 'Clown Shoes', credited to Proby's real name. It was a success, and Proby signed with the label and the music publisher Metric Music. Proby, the name of a former boyfriend from high school, and secured Proby an audition for Dick Glasser of Liberty Records.

In 1960, songwriter Sharon Sheeley convinced him to adopt the stage name P. Two singles, 'Go, Girl, Go' and 'Loud Perfume' appeared on two small independent record labels. Given the stage name Jett Powers by Hollywood agents Gabey, Lutz, Heller, and Loeb, he took acting and singing lessons and played small roles in films. He began at San Marcos Military Academy, and followed with stints in Culver Naval Academy and Western Military Academy.īy the time Proby left school, he had already wanted a career 'in the movies' and moved to California to become an actor and recording artist. His father was an affluent banker at nine, his parents divorced and as part of the custody deal, Proby was sent to military school. He is a great-grandson of Old West outlaw John Wesley Hardin. Proby was born James Marcus Smith on Novemin Houston, Texas. He still writes and records on his own independent record label, Select Records, and performs in the UK in Sixties concerts.

In 2008, EMI released the greatest hits album Best of the EMI Years 1961–1972. Proby recorded the singles ' Hold Me', ' Somewhere', and ' Maria'. Proby (born James Marcus Smith November 6, 1938) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor.

Wanted by P.J. Adams