----- ALL SONGS ABOVE ARE WRITTEN OR CO-WRITTEN BY JOHN A. READ.
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I was born and raised in Birmingham England where I went to the same school as Jeff Lynn of ELO fame, and was raised in the same neighborhood as Duran Duran and a short drive from Ozzy Osbourne - Black Sabbath. (I've done album photography for Bill Ward.) (Sabbath drummer.) I worked in Cabaret Theatre for many years - in charge of stage and lighting for artists such as - Three Degrees; Jack Jones; Dionne Warwick; Supremes; Buddy Rich; Rose Royce; Odyssey; Commodores; Osmonds; Dr Hook; Four Tops; Hollies; Sister Sledge; Martha Reeves - and many more. My first piano lessons were on the Theatre's Grand Piano on an empty stage, where I would drive the other staff crazy by practising scales for hours on end. I often had help from visiting MDs and artists such as Victor Borge. Before music took hold, my first writing success was short scripts and comedy sketches for TV and radio. As a songwriter, I have written with world famous percussionist Evelyn Glennie OBE.
And with John Hamilton (18 weeks in the charts.)
Also with the superb Donna Britton. www.donnabritton.com I currently have a song on the latest Sham Rock CD, 'The Album'.
Sham Rock had a massive chart hit with their song 'Tell Me Ma.'
The album is produced by Grammy award winner, Philip Larson, (Kylie Minogue; Mary J Blige) and features songs by Tom Springfield and a spine tingling ballad by Paul McCartney
The song, 'Watch Me Now' is a rockin, foot stomping 'girl power' song that was originally written for a Whoopi Goldberg film, but was dropped at the eleventh hour for a Gospel song.
I have also had 'near misses' with Celine Dion; & Jennifer Rush
I've been signed to: Warner Chappell; The International Music Network;
MKM Germany, Faber Music, Strange Art Music; and others. xxxx
E.mail: [email protected] ............... Website:www.readsongs.comx Sham Rock Video. 'Tell Me Ma'. This song spent 17 weeks in the UK charts. Massive hit and instant dance floor filler. Sham Rock are also on the music player above with an excellent pop/rock 'girlpower' song - Watch Me Now. Specifically written for a Whoopi Goldberg Movie. It is now 'looking for a home' with any 'strong, sassy' female 'pop rock' singer/group.
