“Always On My Mind” Songwriter Mark James Has Died At 83
Courtesy of Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens & Funeral Home
Hall of Fame songwriter Mark James has sadly passed away at the age of 83.
Mark James is a legendary figure in songwriting, known for crafting some of the most cherished and timeless songs in music.
Some of his masterpieces include the popular “Suspicious Minds,” “Hooked On A Feeling,” and the multi-Grammy Award-winning “Always On My Mind.”
Mark James’ illustrious career earned him many well-deserved honors.
He was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, the New York Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Nashville Country Hall of Fame, and the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2000, BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) honored Mark James as one of the top songwriters of the 20th century.
Mark James, whose real name is Francis Rodney Zambon, was born in Houston, Texas, on November 29, 1940. In his early 20s, local club owners had trouble saying his birth name, so he chose a stage name, as reported by Music Row.
Around that time, James recorded a few local singles.
After returning from military service in Vietnam, he moved to Memphis at the suggestion of his childhood friend B.J. Thomas. There, he worked with producer Chips Moman.
Mark James himself recorded “Suspicious Minds,” but it was Elvis Presley who made it a hit, along with his other songs, “Raised On Rock” (1973) and “Moody Blue” (1976).
Mark James released his self-titled debut LP in 1973. He continued to write songs with various artists bringing them to life. A few of these artists include Brenda Lee, Mac Davis, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dwight Yoakam, Jessi Colter, and many more.
“Always On My Mind” achieved success with multiple artists, including Willie Nelson in 1982, earning Mark James two Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Country Song of the Year.
Mark James passed away in Nashville on June 8, 2024.
The arrangements for his funeral will be handled by Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens & Funeral Home. The specific details of the arrangements are yet to be announced.
His family told the Houston Chronicle, “His larger-than-life personality filled any room he was in, and his smile lit it up. He was a captivating storyteller who had the sweetest smile, the most infectious laugh and a twinkle in his eye that never dimmed.”
His loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers.
