Best known for his work with Thunder, Harry James is one of the best-loved drummers on the rock circuit. Influenced by his father and the likes of Ian Paice, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Stewart Copeland, Phil Rudd, Billy Cobham and Cozy Powell, Harry started playing drums at the age of eight and has been a gigging player since his early teens.

In the late 1980’s, Harry appeared alongside Danny Bowes and Luke Morley in Terraplane, but it was when the trio later resurfaced as Thunder that they really made their mark. Thunder’s debut “Back Street Symphony” charted at number 21 in the UK in March 1990 and their success continued with a storming set at Donington’s Monster of Rock Festival later that year. Thunder comfortably negotiated that often ‘tricky second album’ when “Laughing on Judgement Day” reached number 2 in the UK chart in 1992. The band continued to release albums and tour with their highly acclaimed live performances to packed venues until they decided to call it a day in 2009. The band said farewell during successful tours of Europe and Japan, an appearance at “Download” and a sold out tour of the UK. Thunder finally signed off, much to the disappointment of their loyal global fan base at the Sonisphere Festival in August 2009.

Harry proudly occupies the drum stool for Magnum, another great British rock outfit. Their latest album ("Into The Valley Of The Moon King") was released in June 2009, followed by a successful tour of Europe and the UK. Magnum have several festival appearances scheduled for the summer of 2010 and the recording of a new album and more live performances in the pipeline. Harry is also currently a member of South London’s Bad Influence.

In the studio, Harry has contributed to work by Don Airey ("A Light In The Sky"), Russ Ballard ("Book Of Love"), Shadowman (featuring FM's vocalist Steve Overland, Heartland's Steve Morris and Thunder's Chris Childs), Kate Aumonier ("Here I Am"), Carl Sentance (“Mind Doctor”), Bucket & Co (“Guitars, Beers and Tears”) and Hellfire Corner (Gary Brewer and "Snake", the ex bass player of Thunder).

Harry has had the pleasure of performing live on stage with The Ian Gillan Band with Roger Glover on the bass, and has toured with Graham Bonnet, Don Airey, Mick Ralphs, and Paul Young. Following a performance with Thunder at the Indigo2 in March 2008 in aid of the Childline Trust, where the band were joined onstage by Lulu and Roger Daltrey, Harry returned the following year to appear alongside Rock Legends including Jon Lord, Glenn Hughes, and Steve Harley.
Backed by Pearl, Paiste and Pro-Mark, Harry is renowned for his distinctive and powerful playing style, his love of live performance and rapport with the audience. And his undying love and support of Crystal Palace FC!