British musician, John Ford's latest CD release Big Hit In India - his ninth Solo album, features some of his latest and greatest songs in an array of styles to fit many genres from Rock to Pop since moving to the states from the UK in the late 80s. His versatile live performance easily shifts from Solo acoustic to fronting a full electric band.
The dynamics and versatility of John Ford's musical talent run the gamut from the London Folk clubs to large scale international rock venues of the British POP ROCK PUNK PROG Music Scene.
A teenage heartthrob, writing his first Hit, "Mistletoe Love" while bassist for Jaymes Fenda and the Vulcans on Parlorphone, John Ford went on to join Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, who regularly opened for Pink Floyd on the UK. Ford's unusual percussive style of bass playing caught the eye of Strawbs' leader Dave Cousins with Ford joining the Strawbs in May 1970. The Strawbs, primarily known as a Folk Rock group, with John Ford's influence, shifted into the Prog-Art Rock Scene. John penned the Strawbs' biggest hits, "Heavy Disguise," and "Part of the Union" a Top of the Pops Chart Hit at #2 on the Bursting At The Seams album spending 59 weeks on the Album and Single charts. Popular worldwide, especially a favourite with Union workers still to this day. Produced by Tony Visconti for A&M, John Ford received three Gold and a Platinum Records.
Leaving the Strawbs to form Hudson Ford and releasing more hits, "Pick Up the Pieces," Burn Baby Burn," "Floating in The Wind," also on A&M. In 1979, John Ford formed The Monks; a punk rock band signed with EMI, to hit the Charts again with surprise hits, "Nice Legs Shame About The Face" from Bad Habits, followed by "Suspended Animation" with album and Single going Gold.
At the same time, playing with his alter ego band, High Society with 30s styled melodies releasing a self-titled album in 1984. John reunited with the Strawbs for UK Tours in the 80s, 1998, 2001, 2004. In 2006, John Ford was again featured on the STRAWBS SPRING UK ELECTRIC TOUR UK also filmed and recorded by Secret Films Ltd., for 2008 CD/DVD "Lay Down With The Strawbs."
Aside from the dozens of recordings John Ford's been on, also appears on DVD classics - Strawbs Live In Tokyo '75 & GRAVE NEW WORLD, The Complete Strawbs - Live at Chiswick House with many other shows also found on YouTube. John Ford has also performed with Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night in Blackmore’s Night, as well appearing on Under a Violet Moon CD.
www.myspace.com/johnfordofthestrawbs
www.facebook.com/pages/John-Ford-of-the-Strawbs/102997249739320
ABOUT JOHN FORD:
Vulcans, Velvet Opera:
Early projects include The Five Proud Walkers, where John got his start. Then on to Jaymes Fenda & the Vulcans landed John Ford, his first Major Label signing with Parlophone/EMI and pop hit 'Mistletoe Love,' also becoming known as a teenage heart throb at age 16!
John Ford joined Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera to complete the lineup, signing to the Repertoire label. Somewhat psychedelic, sometimes confused with Pink Floyd when they opened for Pink Floyd, Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera created a cult following with 'Flames,' 'Mary Jane' and other absurd claims of "brain washing the audience with strobe lights" in the press. In later years, EGLO became known as the Velvet Opera.
Strawbs
John Ford’s unusual percussive style of bass playing caught Strawbs leader Dave Cousin's eye during a performance at Dave's folk club in Hounslow and John joined the Strawbs in May 1970. John Ford's influence with the Strawbs, primarily known as a Folk Rock group, shifted into a new direction in the Prog-Art Rock Scene. John penned perennial favourites, 'Heavy Disguise' and 'Part of the Union,' which became the Strawbs’ biggest Chart Hit at 2, included on the album, Bursting At The Seams. POTU, spent 59 weeks on the album charts, rising to Top of the Pops fame, also released as a Single. Working with Producer, Tony Visconti (Bowie / T-Rex) on A&M. John Ford received three Gold and Platinum Records, to boot.
Hudson-Ford
A few years later, John Ford and Richard Hudson left the Strawbs and formed Hudson Ford. Releasing yet two more Top 10 Hits - 'Pick Up The Pieces' at 8, along with 'Burn Baby Burn' and 'Floating In The Wind' also on A&M. Nickelodeon, Free Spirit, When Worlds Collide, Repertoire and Daylight. To note - the US version of Nickelodeon has 'Burn Baby Burn' in place of 'Solitude' which appears on the UK version, in addition to many Singles with International versions.
The Monks vs. High Society
In 1979, found John Ford hitting the Charts again. This time with The Monks, a punk project of sorts Hudson, Ford and Terry Cassidy combined together with Clive Pierce on drums, Hud was then playing bass, leaving John free to play guitar) to produce 1979 album Bad Habits. The Monks, soon picked up by EMI and along came surprise hits, 'Nice Legs Shame About The Face' and the album, Suspended Animation. In contrast, John Ford also developed an alter ego in 1980s band, High Society with classic 30s style melodies, releasing a self-titled album in 1984. Returning to the pseudo-punk format of The Monks for a follow up album released in Canada only, Suspended Animation with the addition of Brian Willoughby on guitar and Chris Parren ..boards. Drugs In My Pocket' and 'Johnny B. Rotten' were also creating a sensation!
Strawbs Reunited
John teamed up again with The Strawbs 30 Year Reunion Tour in 1998, performing as bass guitarist and vocalist, after a hiatus since the late 80s with the Strawbs, following Johns move to the US, then again for the 2001 Strawbs UK Spring Tour. July 2004, the STRAWBS SUMMER UK ELECTRIC TOUR in England, featured John on bass and vocals with the original UK electric lineup from the 70s, Highpoints of the tour included The 30th Trowbridge Pump Festival with the Strawbs, doing both the Electric and Acoustic line-ups, headlining for two nights to over 6,000 fans. The STRAWBS UK ELECTRIC TOUR performed to sold-out shows at venues ranging from richly, restored performing arts theatres like Huntingdon Hall and trendy hot spots, such as The Under World in London and others throughout the UK, with much success. March 2006, John Ford was featured on the STRAWBS SPRING UK ELECTRIC TOUR UK which included a DVD filming for an upcoming release. Aside from the dozens of recordings John's been on, some of his live performances can be viewed on DVD with Strawbs Live In Tokyo '75 & GRAVE NEW WORLD - The Movie, The Complete Strawbs - Live at Chiswick House and other Top of the Pops and Old Grey Whistle Test shows, some of which are on YouTube.
John Ford Flies Solo...
By 1986, John Ford relocated to the US and started working on his solo project writing new tunes and playing gigs in the New York City venues such as The Bottom Line. 1998 Love Is A Highway, John's first solo CD was released with more to follow as listed below. In 1999, John joined Ritchie Blackmore's Blackmore's Night band and appeared on Under A Violet Moon, their second international CD and featured John on vocals for the beautiful 'Wind in the Willows' - a rearrangement of one of John’s tracks 'Bread and Fishes' and played some shows. Back on his own, in January 2004, John Ford opened to a packed house for Dave Mason at Long Island concert venue The Downtown on Long Island and has since played numerous venues in the Northeast states. John Ford has ten solo albums of his own work (two in post- production) released on Whole Shot Records and licensing agreement with Sony ATV, in addition to his long list of album credits for other band projects and as a session player, as well as complilations.
John Ford Discography:
1998 - Love Is A Highway
1999 Blackmore’s Night Under A Violet Moon CD John Ford appears on 'Wind In The Willows' with Ritchie Blackmore and Candace Night.
2000 - Heading For A High
2002 - Natural High
2005 - Backtracking - all John Ford originals, redux of his classic hits from Strawbs, Hudson Ford and the Monks with JF performing virtually all the vocals, instrumentation and producing the albums and two Live bonus tracks.
2005 - New World - Maxi-Single EP - Six Songs w/ acoustic version of 'Part of the Union'
2005 - What Ever Happened to Christmas - a collection of Holiday songs, this album features an array of Christmas Classics with some newly released original (future) classics penned by John Ford.
2006 - A Christmas Trilogy - features two NEW John Ford originals
2008 - Big Hit In India - Single and Album - All new - all original!
2010 - Resurrected The Best of and Then Some - Chronological collection plus newly recorded tracks
UPCOMING FUTURE RELEASE: JOHN FORD: LIVE AT THE BOTTOM LINE (postproduction)
COMPILATIONS: John Ford - 'Carpet Crawlers' - Fox Lies Down - A Tribute To Genesis - Compilation (1998 Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra Records)
ROCK 4 XMAS ALL STARS Compilation - including John Ford’s rockin version of 'White Christmas,' along with tracks from Quiet Riot’s Paul Shortino, Cheap Trick, Larry Hoppen (Orleans), Eddie Money & Ronnie Spector & an upcoming 2008 ROCK 4 XMAS CD & more!
John Ford of the Strawbs's website: www.johnfordofthestrawbs.com (in reconstruction)
MySpace: www.myspace.com/johnfordofthestrawbs
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/John-Ford-of-the-Strawbs/102997249739320
Also be sure to checkout John’s other band projects - Hudson Ford and The Monks MySpaces for music - pix - videos!
Hudson Ford www.myspace.com/hudsonford
The Monks www.myspace.com/themonksuk
Related Links:
the Strawbs www.myspace.com/strawbsmusic
Jaymes Fenda and the Vulcans www.myspace.com/jaymesfenda
The Strawbs website www.strawbsweb.co.uk
Performing live shows in US, UK & International. Every gig is fantastic! Every moment is special...
John Ford's other important band & music projects include The Strawbs, Hudson - Ford, The Monks, Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, High Society and of course his own solo project popular in the US, UK, Canada and worldwide. Favourite bands and artists John Ford has covered - Genesis, Oasis, Peter Gabriel, Procul Harum, The Beatles, Ian Hunter and skiffle artists such as Lonny Donigan.
Takamine Acoustic Guitars - Fender Electric Guitars & Bass - Hardkt - Roland - Yamaha + much more!
MySpace: www.myspace.com/johnfordofthestrawbs
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/John-Ford-of-the-Strawbs/102997249739320
Twitter: www.twitter.com/johnfordstrawbs
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/JOHNFORDMUSIC
Website: www.johnfordofthestrawbs.com (Site Up but in reconstruction)