Proby Probed By Benefit Fraud Investigators

The life and times of Texan singer P.J Proby would make an excellent novel. The plot is complex and convoluted but, even so, I think I might have a go at it.
Why though, I can hear you asking, is this once famous trouser-splitting ballad singer considered to be a RockBottom?
Well, there are two reasons, maybe more, but these will do for a start. Firstly, how many people can say that Led Zeppelin were their backing band? Yes, he can say that and I'll give details as to why later, plus, how many balladeers have recorded and performed with progressive rockers Focus? What's more, since qualification as a RockBottom strictly speaking requires something to have gone horribly wrong, he also has two claims on that basis.
Firstly, P.J missed out on the massive hit song "Delilah" which he had recorded for an album from which it was eventually omitted and which subsequently became a massive hit for Tom Jones . Secondly, in 2011, the singer was charged in the UK with benefit fraud. It went to trial but Proby, real name James Marcus Smith, was acquitted of all charges.
If you want a third reason for P.J's RockBottom status, there is always the trouser splitting incident. This was a big deal at the time, leading to ol' PJ being banned by the ABC Theatre chain and by the BBC. It was, however, not such a sensational event as all that might have you believe. He was dancing energetically in tight fitting trousers and they split. He didn't proceed to display his nether regions to the crowd, no one was hurt, nothing was damaged but it was Britain in the sixties, operated by a bunch of seriously out of touch bureaucrats. Thank goodness its not like that now!

I said I'd come back to the "Led Zeppelin was my backing band" claim. Well. I did exaggerate slightly here, but only slightly because it is, to all intents and purposes, true. In 1968 P.J recorded an album called "Three Week Hero" and his backing band for that project was indeed, the "New Yardbirds" shortly afterwards to become Led Zeppelin.
The work with Focus happened in 1978 when he recorded an album with the Dutch band entitled Focus Con Proby. I haven't got a copy and I haven't heard it so no comment really.

James Marcus Smith AKA P.J Proby was born in Texas on November 6, 1938. He is still recording and performing.