James' first major group was the early 1970s band Mississippi, which also featured Beeb Birtles, Graham Goble Charlie Tumahai and Derek Pellicci on drums.
Derek Walcott | Derek Jarman | Derek Jacobi | Derek Bailey (guitarist) | Derek Bailey | Bo Derek | Derek Trucks | Derek Jeter | Derek Holland | Life with Derek | Derek Lee Ragin | Derek Bickerton | Derek Abbott | Derek O'Brien | Derek Wyatt | Derek St. Holmes | Derek O'Brien (drummer) | Derek Mahon | Derek Lawrence | Derek Johnstone | Derek Humble | Derek Fowlds | Derek Forbes | DJ Derek | Derek Yu | Derek Worlock | Derek Taylor | Derek Smith | Derek Sikua | Derek Schofield |
After Mississippi disbanded in 1975, band members Birtles, Graeham Goble, and Derek Pellicci recruited Glenn Shorrock and Ric Formosa, plus manager Glenn Wheatley, and formed the Little River Band.