John started playing guitar in the sixties in London. Completely
self taught, he formed various rock bands playing
around the capital, from clubs and pubs to venues like The
Shepherds Bush Empire (opening for Cliff Richard).
One of the most spectacular was a charity event in front of
Royalty, and playing with the top stars of the day.
Still playing in his rock band, John was moving towards
jazz and blues, forming a vocal/guitar duo.>>>
They appeared
at the popular London music venue - The Red Cow in Hammersmith,
playing regular residencies, as latterly did Paul Weller, The Jam,
The Stranglers, Squeeze, AC/DC, Billy Bragg and many
more. John was also doing many BBC broadcast recording
sessions at the famous Maida Vale studios in Delaware Road,
London.
Moving to Cornwall, John joined Matrix a cool jazz
rock outfit and gigged throughout the county, plus regularly
playing with an 18 piece big band. John also played behind
the renowned jazz saxophonists Alan Skidmore and Joe Harriot and
for shear diversity...recording with The
Wurzels for BBC Television!
...and he started a studio
Probably the first multi-track in Cornwall, producing albums and
singles for many bands and musicians, including Ian Dunlop, founder
member of the legendary 'Flying Burrito Brothers'
band with the late Gram Parsons of The Byrds.
More studio space was needed so bigger premises was found and new, larger
equipment installed.
The recording continued
John has played on hundreds of recordings and
arranged scores of vocal harmonies. He has produced artistes for
United Artists, Warner Bros. and RCA.
"I
think you must always be creative, Peter Gabriel explained to me
how he got the high squeal voice on the 'Intruder' track, by shouting
into a tiny plastic amplifier and miking it"
John was also commissioned by the BBC to write and record several signature
tunes for TV including the theme for 'Spotlight South West' he
also appeared on a TV programme demonstrating the tecniques.
John plays with his many musician friends and is mainly using the guitar
and guitar synthesiser live as a solo instrument and singing
with the excellent vocalist Kris Gayle.
