Big Hit In India
ABOUT JOHN FORD : Vulcans, Velvet Opera & Strawbs
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.
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
I n 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
2007 – RESURRECTED - Best of John Ford – Chronological collection plus NEW Bonus track – 'Talkin Trash,' a Green song (post-production)
2008 - Big Hit In India - Single and Album - All new - all original! (ready for release)
UPCOMING: 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's website: www.johnfordmusic.net
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
the Strawbs www.myspace.com/strawbsmusic Jaymes Fenda and the Vulcans www.myspace.com/jaymesfendaThe Strawbs website http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk
John Ford wants you to see his Webmistress :)