In 1978 he relocated to New York to join the Anglo-American group Magnet who were mentored by Danny Goldberg, Phil DeHaviland, Jerry Moss, and Peter Frampton.

Magnet featured Frampton's former Humble Pie bandmate Jerry Shirley on drums, and released the album Worldwide Attraction[4] on the A&M label in 1979.

Circa 1981, following the dissolution of Magnet, James formed the Los Angeles–based group Private Army featuring former Cheap Trick member Pete Comita on guitar and the future Quiet Riot rhythm section of bassist Rudy Sarzo and drummer Frankie Banali.

His USSA-era composition "Reach Out" was recorded by Cheap Trick and appears on the 1981 Heavy Metal movie soundtrack.

After nearly three decades of professional silence, in July 2013 James filmed a music video for his original composition "Diamond in the Rough", which can be seen on YouTube.