Lee Fardon

LEE FARDON was born in South London in the '50s. He began his career as a drummer playing in local bands. The first chords he learnt to play on the guitar were taught to him by record producer and musician Dennis Bovell on a street corner in Battersea. Years later he was to record with Dennis although no tracks have yet been released.In the mid seventies he was working as a bass guitarist and gained his first recording experience playing with Steve Hunt, a local singer/songwriter.Having left school he saught a professional engagement as a bass guitarist. He auditioned for and got the gig with Ross Stagg, an Australian singer songwriter who fronted glam rock band. The Hammond organist was Jan Schelhaas who was to feature largely in Lee’s future recording career.After a hectic period of gigging and recording Ross was signed by EMI. Lee left the band just before they started recording their first album. He didn’t like wearing nail varnish and, anyway, he’d started writing his own material.In 1977 Lee was signed to Arista Records. He released his first single “She’ll break your Heart” followed by a 3 track EP. The Title track was the intense “Fast at 17”. By this time his backing group The Legionaires had been formed featuring Rob Godwin (drums), Don Bodie (bass), Jim Hall (guitar), and Carrie Booth (keyboards). Also making an appearance on the EP was Annie Lennox (vox organ and vocals). Lee had met Annie while they were both gigging around North London.Promoting “Fast at 17”, Lee Fardon and the Legionaires embarked on a national tour supporting Dire Straits.It was during this tour that producer Fritz Fryer was recommended by the “Straits” drummer Pick Withers. In 1978, work started on Lee’s first album “Stories of Adventure” at Rockfield Studios in Wales. The album was finished by mid 1979. Arista decided not to release it owing to a change in their A&R department. Lee was dropped from the label and the Legionaires disbanded.Following the break up of the band Lee contacted Mark Knopler, who he had gotten to know on the British tour. Mark agreed to produce a single . He had just returned from the States after producing “Slow Train Coming” for Bob Dylan. Jim hall was not available so Mark played on the tracks. The record was not released.Lee Fardon slipped into a depression which was to last for 2 years. “Stories of Adventure” was finally released in 1981 on the independent label Aura and received wide critical acclaim. (See press.) it was quickly followed by the classic “God Given Right”., (see press and), with Jim Hall , Jan Schelhaas, Colin Fardon (bass) and Chris Brown (drums). The God Given Right band then set off for a successful European tour.In 1984, Lee was again out of contract. He was living and writing in Vienna. He returned to England in 1985 and formed W.F.T Music with John Watson. He began work on his next album “the Savage Art of Love”. He recruited Jan Schelhaas (keyboards, Jim Hall (guitar), Hans Ferrao (drums) and Chris Staines (bass guitar & production). The album lacked the raw intensity of his earlier work but contains some of Lee’s best writing.Lee’s next project was a three track CD called Palestine. The title track was a song written in support of the Palestinians. It was ignored by the press and radio play was non existent. The other tracks included “Looking for Love”, one of Lee’s finest and most overlooked songs.There was to be another long period of inactivity before a chance meeting with Mick Cox, one time guitarist with Van Morrison, led to work beginning on the “To Close to the Fire” album. Originally a W.F.T. production, it was later taken on by a small Italian label Musique Records. With little promotion the album quietly escaped into the market place rather than being properly released.In 1993 Jo Garret, Mick Cox and Lee formed “The Lee Fardon Trio”. They recorded an acoustic album mixing old and new Lee Fardon material. After an extended European tour they disbanded.Lee went into hibernation . He says “I can’t work if I’m not writing. At that time I wasn’t writing.”In 1996 there was a catastrophic fire at Lee’s home. He barely escaped with his life and all his instruments and equipment were destroyed. It has taken him till now to regroup.He is now writing again and performing and recording. Guitar MySpace Layouts - Fender Guitar MySpace Layouts Guitar MySpace Layouts