Jim Vallance | |
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Birth name | James Douglas Vallance |
Also known as | Rodney Higgs |
Born | May 31, 1952 |
Origin | Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada |
Genres | Rock, AOR, pop rock, hard rock, heavy metal, pop, jazz, blues, country |
Occupation(s) | Songwriter, arranger, producer |
Instrument(s) | Drums, percussion, keyboards, guitar, bass |
Years active | 1977–2005 (semi-retired) |
Labels | A&M, Universal, Polydor |
Website | Jim Vallance homepage |
James Douglas Vallance CM (born May 31, 1952) is a Canadian songwriter, arranger and producer. He is best known as the songwriting partner of Canadian musician Bryan Adams. Vallance began his professional career as the original drummer and main songwriter for Canadian rock band Prism under the pseudonym "Rodney Higgs."[1] In addition to Adams, Vallance has written songs for many famous international artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Aerosmith, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Roger Daltrey, Tina Turner, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Europe, Kiss, Scorpions, Anne Murray, and Joe Cocker.[2] His most recognizable songs are "What About Love" (Heart), "Spaceship Superstar" (Prism), "Run to You" (Bryan Adams), "Cuts Like a Knife" (Bryan Adams), "Heaven" (Bryan Adams), "Summer of '69" (Bryan Adams), "Now and Forever (You and Me)" (Anne Murray), and "Edge of a Dream" (Joe Cocker). He also co-wrote "Tears Are Not Enough" for Northern Lights for Africa, an ensemble of Canadian recording artists in support of the 1985 African famine relief. He has won the Canadian music industry Juno award for Composer of the Year four times (a record later shared by The Weeknd). Vallance is a Member of the Order of Canada.[3]