Mark James: Suspicious Minds and Hooked On A Feeling songwriter dies
Mark James – the Grammy-winning songwriter behind Elvis Presley’s hit Suspicious Minds – has died aged 83.
A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he also wrote Hooked On A Feeling and co-wrote Always On Mind.
James died on 8 June at his home in Nashville, as first reported by his hometown newspaper, the Houston Chronicle.
His family said in a statement: “Mark’s legacy and zest for life will live on in the hearts of those who loved him, and through his timeless lyrics and melodies that have been the soundtrack of lovers for generations.”
Named as a Songwriter Of The Century by Broadcast Music (BMI) in 2000, the music licensing company also put Suspicious Minds, Hooked On A Feeling and Always On My Mind on a list of the 100 greatest songs of the 20th century.
Elvis Presley performing in Las Vegas. Pic: PA
James won two Grammys in 1983 for Always On My Mind, which he shared with co-writers Wayne Carson and Johnny Christopher.
Most associated with Elvis Presley, it was also recorded by Willie Nelson and the Pet Shop Boys. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.
Suspicious Minds, which became one of Presley’s signature songs, was initially written by James for his own recording career in the late 1960s.
It was inspired by James’s feelings for a childhood sweetheart, while both were married to other people.
Speaking about the song to the Wall Street Journal later in his career, James described it as a “confusing time,” that “felt as though all three of us were all caught in this trap that we couldn’t walk out of”.
In 1969 it became the King’s final number one, reinvigorating Presley’s flagging career, and helping him to become the biggest entertainer in Las Vegas through to his death eight years later.
Suspicious Minds was also recorded by Fine Young Cannibals, reaching number eight in the UK charts in 1986.
James performing at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards in 2014. Pic: AP
Another of James’s songs, Hooked On A Feeling, which was originally recorded by American singer B J Thomas in 1969 reaching number five in the US charts, was re-recorded in 1974 by Blue Swede incorporating a catchy “ooga-chaka” chant, hitting US number one.
It’s gone on to be featured in movies including Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs and Guardians Of The Galaxy, and a cover was recorded just this year by Swedish rock band The Hives – keeping in the inspired Blue Swede chant.
James also wrote other songs for Presley, including Moody Blue, the title track to his final album, and It’s Only Love and Raised On Rock.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
James is also a member of the Texas Songwriters Hall Of Fame, the New York Songwriters Hall Of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame.
In 2021, Sony/ATV Music Publishing announced that it had signed a deal with James, renewing a contract that began 50 years earlier when he signed with Screen Gems/EMI.
It also secured extended rights for Suspicious Minds, Hooked On A Feeling and Always On My Mind.
James is survived by his wife of 53 years, Karen Zambon, his daughters Sammie and Dana Zambon, and grandchildren.
Entertainment
Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter substantiated, including one of unwanted physical contact
An investigation into Gregg Wallace’s “inappropriate behaviour” on MasterChef has found that more than half of the allegations against him have been substantiated, including one of “unwanted physical contact”.
MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK shared a summary of its report into historical allegations of misconduct against the 60-year-old presenter, carried out by independent law firm Lewis Silkin over seven months.
The report also said the number of sustained allegations made Wallace’s return to MasterChef “untenable”.
The investigation heard evidence from 78 witnesses, including 41 complainants.
There were 83 allegations against Wallace, and 45 of them were substantiated. All were related to MasterChef.
While the majority of the substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated.
One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated.
Nearly all the allegations against Wallace were related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018, with just one substantiated allegation taking place post-2018.
Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014
Ahead of the publication of the summary, Wallace had said he had been “cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations” made against him.
Additionally, the report summary found that there were also 10 standalone allegations about other people between 2012 and 2018/2019, two of which were substantiated. Those people were not named in the summary.
The investigation found that complaints had previously been raised with the production company between 2005 and 2024.
Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024
While the report flagged inadequate reporting procedures prior to 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine ahead of Banijay acquiring Endemol Shine in 2020, it said there were significant improvements to HR processes and training after 2016.
While the investigation said some formal action was taken by the BBC in 2017, it also noted the corporation held no information regarding concerns raised over Wallace centrally, resulting in issues being addressed as a first offence.
Sky News has tried to contact Gregg Wallace for contact today.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike