Pop singer

Born: September 28, 1951;

Died: October 8, 2015

Jim Diamond, who has died suddenly aged 64, was a Scottish pop singer who had a number of hits in the 1980s and became known for his high, haunting voice. I Won't Let You Down in 1982 and I Should Have Known Better two years later became classic songs of longing and loss.

Born in the East End of Glasgow and heavily influenced by the voices of Ray Charles and Otis Redding, Diamond was in a number of bands as a teenager, including Jade with his fellow Scot Chris Glen, who went on the join The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. He was also a member of Bandit and The Alex Korner Band, fronted by the British blues artist Alex Korner.

By the late 1970s, Diamond had moved to Los Angeles where he formed short-lived group, Slick Diamond, with guitarist Earl Slick (who worked with David Bowie on Young Americans) and drummer Carmen Appice, who had worked Rod Stewart. He also worked with Eddie Kramer, the legendary producer of Jimi Hendrix. But it was on his return to the UK in 1979 that he finally found major success.

Together with Tony Hymas and Simon Phillips, he formed PhD (the name was formed from the first letters of their surnames) and their self-titled debut album included the multi-million selling hit I Won't Let You Down. Their second album Is It Safe? also produced a big European hit with I Didn't Know.

After Diamond contracted hepatitis, the band decided to disband and in 1984, now working as a solo artist and signed to A&M Records, Diamond had another hit with I Should Have Known Better, which was number one in the UK. The song was also nominated for an Ivor Novello award.

Two years later, he had another top ten hit with Hi Ho Silver, which was the theme tune to the television series Boon. Starring Michael Elphick, the series centred on an ex-fireman called Ken Boon who also solves crime.

The 1980s was the peak of Diamond's career, although he continued to perform and record as a solo artist.

In the 90s, he worked with the saxophonist Chris Davis from M People. They performed together and later worked on Diamond's album Souled and Healed, which was released in 2005.

Four years ago, Diamond also released an album of soul covers, City of Soul, featuring Scottish musicians including the Wet Wet Wet drummer Tommy Cunningham and Greg Kane of Hue & Cry. All proceeds from the album were donated to the charity Cash for Kids.

Diamon's family said they were deeply shocked by his sudden death. A family spokesman said: "He was a devoted family man who loved his wife Chrissy and his children Sara and Lawrence, and the music that he continued to make.

"He dedicated a lot of time over recent years to the Cash for Kids charity appeal in Scotland with his friend Sir Tom Hunter and was still active and well respected on the music scene.

"He'll be much missed by all who knew him and everyone who loved his music and his unique voice and style."

Diamond, who died at his home in London, is survived by his wife and two children.