Jimmy James

Jimmy James is a multi-faceted performer who has worn many hats -- and a few gowns. He first came to prominence with his incomparable portrayal of Marilyn Monroe, whom he played for 17 years.

"I played Marilyn longer than Marilyn played Marilyn," James quipped in one interview. His Marilyn stunned audiences because it came across less like a drag queen and was more akin to a ghost of the screen legend.

Over the years James has portrayed other Hollywood icons, and has even played himself. An old-fashioned performer who knows how to put on a show, he dazzles his audiences with his powerful pipes and glittering costumes. His efforts have brought him a legion of loyal fans and even a few awards, including the prestigious M.A.C Award -- Cabaret's equivalent to the Oscars, which we won in 1988 and again in 2007.

James' recent album Jamestown included the hit dance single "Fashionista," which was embraced worldwide and reached #13 on Billboard's dance charts.

As James rehearsed for his May 23 performance at Rebel, which is surprisingly his first time performing in San Francisco, Jimmy shared details about his life in and out of the spotlight.

David-Elijah Nahmod: Please tell us who Jimmy James is?

Jimmy James: I started my career in the early 1980s, with my visual and vocal recreation of Marilyn Monroe. I made several appearances on popular talk shows of the period starting with Donahue , then Sally, Geraldo, Joan Rivers, RuPaul on VH1. I sold out shows for years, but San Francisco has always eluded me for some reason. I'm very excited to be coming there.

By 1997 I retired Marilyn or any drag part of my show and continued concentrating on my vocal impressions and tributes to Cher, Eartha Kitt, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Elvis, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Bettie Davis and many more.

I didn't consider myself a gay kid, I was probably more of a "sissy," but I didn't know it until other boys made fun of me. Girls never made fun of me; they liked me. I was sensitive and not really into boy things. I hung out mostly with the girls.

Coming out was not discussed in my strict Catholic family until I was in my 20s and a boy devastated and broke my heart so badly. My mom could tell something was wrong. I broke down and told her I was in ruins. She was very concerned for me, and later confided in me that she'd had bad feelings about him.

Who are your musical influences?

Music was my escape from my little sissy fat boy world. The music I loved was driven mostly by the divas: Cher, Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Barbra Streisand. The male singers were Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Neil Sedaka in the 80s, and Sylvester. I loved male singers who sounded like girls because I could relate. I was lucky to meet and hang out with Sylvester. I cherish the memories.

Can you discuss the genesis of your stage persona?

I am myself but I jump in and out of personas with each song I sing. I don't dress in drag anymore, I already look female without trying. I concentrate on my vocals. But don't get me wrong, I serve a look. I won't go on stage as "plain James."

With the rise of marriage equality and LGBT visibility, do you find you have a bigger crossover audience, or has your audience always been mixed?

It is changing. In the old days, when I started, I only performed in gay clubs. But nowadays I'm able to work in performing arts centers with mostly straight people who love me. Back when I was on those talk shows they would ask if I was gay or straight, or which bathroom did I use? Do I want to have a sex change? I never hear those questions anymore. I kinda say it's the RuPaul effect. She blazed a very big trail.

What other kinds of music do you do besides dance? Are you influenced by classic Hollywood cinema?

My show is a roller coaster ride of different musical genres: Dance, country, contemporary, electronic, rock, rap (my own), ballads, 70s, 80s, 90s. I'm influenced by all cinema. But I don't live in the past. I can acknowledge it, but I like to keep moving forward.

What can people expect from your San Francisco show?

Comedy, drama, music, classic and contemporary. You won't forget me. I do tricks with my throat. Can I get a date?

Jimmy James performs One Night Only, May 23, 8pm & 10pm at Rebel, 1760 Market St. at Octavia. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. www.jimmyjames.eventbrite.com