Few songs are more instantly recognizable than Tarzan Boy.
Released in 1985 by Baltimora, the song became an international hit thanks to its infectious synth-pop rhythm, unforgettable jungle-call chorus, and pure, unfiltered 1980s energy. Nearly forty years later, it remains one of the defining dance-pop records of the decade.
At the center of Baltimora was Jimmy McShane, an Irish-born performer whose charisma, style, and larger-than-life presence helped make the project a worldwide success. With his dramatic image, theatrical performances, and undeniable star power, McShane became one of the most distinctive figures of mid-1980s pop culture.
Though he was not widely out during the height of his fame, McShane was gay and later became one of the many artists lost during the AIDS epidemic. He died in 1995 at the age of 37 from AIDS-related complications, a reminder of the devastating toll the crisis took on an entire generation of performers, artists, and LGBTQ+ community members.
