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John Lawton (musician)
Encyclopedia
John Lawton is a rock and roll
and blues
vocalist best known for his work with Lucifer's Friend
, Uriah Heep
and the Les Humphries Singers
.
, Vic Malcolm (later of Geordie) and Paul Thompson (later of Roxy Music
).
After Stonewall finished their stint at Top Ten Club in Hamburg in 1969, Lawton decided to stay in Germany, after having been offered the job as singer with legendary German rock cult
band Lucifer's Friend
(1969–1976 and 1979–1995) with whom he recorded nine studio albums. He also joined the Les Humphries Singers
, in the early '70s (which included the Eurovision Song Contest in '76).
In 1976 Lawton joined Uriah Heep
as their frontman, recording the albums Firefly, Innocent Victim
, Fallen Angel and Live in Europe '79, touring Europe and the U.S. until September 1979.
During his longstanding career Lawton has worked with some big names of rock, on various projects, including Roger Glover
's "Butterfly Ball
" live at the Royal Albert Hall
in 1975, featuring David Coverdale
, Glenn Hughes, Ian Gillan
and Twiggy
. He sang on Eddie Hardin
's "Wizard's Convention II" with Chris Farlowe
, Denny Lane, Paul Jones
and Tony Ashton
.
Lawton worked with some of the finest record producers, including Tony Clarke
(Moody Blues), Jimmy Miller (Rolling Stones), and Harold Faltermayer (Pet Shop Boys
), who produced the titles Lawton sang on the Lenny McDowell Project "Lost Paradise".
Lawton sang with German rock band Rebel, later known as Zar, on three albums, during the late '80s -'90s including their hit singles "Line of Fire" and "Eagles Flight", and moved on to Volker Barber's classical project "Excalibur". He also sang on several German commercials, including the "Colgate Gel" TV spots, the "Peter Stuyvesant Travel" spots, the Stuyvesant single "Come Together" and a stint for Harley Davidson Motorbikes.
Lawton formed GunHill, later known as JLB (John Lawton Band), in January 1994, touring the UK and Europe. In 1995 he briefly rejoined Uriah Heep for 2 weeks, to tour South Africa and Austria with Deep Purple
, filling in for their singer Bernie Shaw, who was suffering from voice problems at the time.
Inspired by German top producer Robert Papst and his partner Reinhold Hoffman, Lawton re-recorded one of the Les Humphries Singers' favourites, the 1970s hit "Mama Loo", in January 1998. In August 2000, his solo album Still Paying My Dues To The Blues, produced by Robert Papst, was released in Europe, UK and Scandinavia, by Hypertension Music Hamburg and distributed through EDEL Germany. (The album has been re-released in 2010)
During the 4th Uriah Heep Annual Convention in London, May 2000, plans were made for a one-off concert by the so-called Hensley/Lawton Band. Lawton was joined by former Heep keyboardist Ken Hensley
, for the first time 21 years after Lawton's departure from Uriah Heep in 1979. With them were Paul Newton (their original bassist), and 2 members of Lawton's band Reuben Kane on lead guitar and Justin Shefford on drums. They played a collection of old Heep classics and some of Hensley & Lawton's solo songs, and the concert was recorded for a CD release called The Return.
In 2001 Lawton teamed up with Ken Hensley
to form the Hensley Lawton Band. After extensive touring, during Spring and Summer of 2001, culminating with a concert in Hamburg
, Germany
, featuring a full orchestra and a new rendition of Heep's old classic "Salisbury", both Ken and John returned to their respective solo careers. On December 7, 2001, both John Lawton and Ken Hensley appeared on stage with Uriah Heep during the annual Magician's Birthday Party at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London
. This concert was recorded and released as a CD/DVD.
The John Lawton Band - "JLB" was taken on by Classick Rock Productions in 2001 to record the acoustic CD Steppin' It Up, which features John & Steve Dunning. One More Night Live at the Mean Fiddler, CD & DVD, was recorded in 2002, which was followed in 2003 by JLB's Sting In The Tale CD, an original studio rock album. Later that year followed another Live CD & DVD Shakin' The Tale. JLB had been touring extensively with their last gig in Hamburg
, Sept. 2004, when Lawton decided to take an indefinite break.
In May 2006 Lawton joined forces with Dutch guitarist Jan Dumée
(ex-Focus
) to form the On The Rocks
project. On The Rocks - "OTR" featured Brazilian musicians Ney Conceição on bass, Xande Figueiredo on drums, and Marvio Ciribelli on keyboards. Lawton and Dumée wrote and recorded the tracks for the debut album Mamonama, released in October 2008.
In September 2008 John Lawton appeared on stage at the Heepvention 2008 in Spain, with former Uriah Heep members Ken Hensley, Lee Kerslake and Paul Newton, together with Jan Dumee from the OTR project on guitar.
In December 2008 John entered the world of television by presenting the Bulgarian travel documentary series "John Lawton presents" which also includes music from the Mamonama album. Made by the Bulgarian TV company "Skat", the films feature interesting historical landmarks of Bulgarian towns and cities, traditional festivities and interviews with the city mayors and local people. Filming and editing of 11 documentaries John Lawton Presents are now completed, including the towns of Karnobat, Sozopol, Tsarevo, Primorsko, Bourgas, Smolyan, Pamporovo, Varna, Malko Tarnovo, Velingrad and Shumen.
In March 2010, John was scheduled to make his acting debut in the motion picture Love.net, filmed and produced by Bulgarian film company Miramar Film. Part of John's scenes were shot at Liscombe Park, UK, featuring a guest appearance by Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box, with the remainder filmed in Sofia. The film is now expected to be premiered in Sofia on March 26, 2011.
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
vocalist best known for his work with Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend was a 1970s German Rock band. Allmusic author, Eduardo Rivadavia, noted the group as, "early practitioners of heavy metal and progressive rock." They also incorporated elements of jazz into their music. The band have also been cited as one of the pioneers of doom metal.-History:The...
, Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
and the Les Humphries Singers
Les Humphries Singers
The Les Humphries Singers was a 1970s musical group formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1969 by the English born Les Humphries , who had been inspired to do his own version of the Edwin Hawkins Singers.The Les Humphries Singers dissolved at the end of the...
.
Biography
Lawton began his musical career in North Shields, UK, in the early '60s with The Deans, a bunch of kids who decided at random that he should be singer. He then moved on to West One and later Stonewall which included John MilesJohn Miles (musician)
John Miles is an English rock music vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and keyboard player, best known for his 1976 Top 3 UK hit single, "Music".-Career:...
, Vic Malcolm (later of Geordie) and Paul Thompson (later of Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
).
After Stonewall finished their stint at Top Ten Club in Hamburg in 1969, Lawton decided to stay in Germany, after having been offered the job as singer with legendary German rock cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
band Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend was a 1970s German Rock band. Allmusic author, Eduardo Rivadavia, noted the group as, "early practitioners of heavy metal and progressive rock." They also incorporated elements of jazz into their music. The band have also been cited as one of the pioneers of doom metal.-History:The...
(1969–1976 and 1979–1995) with whom he recorded nine studio albums. He also joined the Les Humphries Singers
Les Humphries Singers
The Les Humphries Singers was a 1970s musical group formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1969 by the English born Les Humphries , who had been inspired to do his own version of the Edwin Hawkins Singers.The Les Humphries Singers dissolved at the end of the...
, in the early '70s (which included the Eurovision Song Contest in '76).
In 1976 Lawton joined Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
as their frontman, recording the albums Firefly, Innocent Victim
Innocent Victim
Released in 1977, Innocent Victim is the eleventh album released by British rock band Uriah Heep.Although it did not chart in the US or UK, Innocent Victim was highly successful in Germany and New Zealand....
, Fallen Angel and Live in Europe '79, touring Europe and the U.S. until September 1979.
During his longstanding career Lawton has worked with some big names of rock, on various projects, including Roger Glover
Roger Glover
Roger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
's "Butterfly Ball
Butterfly Ball
The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast is a concept album and subsequent live rock opera appearing in 1974 and 1975 respectively, based on the children's book of the same title .- Origin and production history :The work was originally conceived as a solo vehicle for Jon Lord to be produced...
" live at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in 1975, featuring David Coverdale
David Coverdale
David 'Jack' Coverdale is an English rock singer, most famous for his work with the his own hard rock band Whitesnake which achieved massive commercial success.-Early life:...
, Glenn Hughes, Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
and Twiggy
Twiggy
Lesley Lawson née Hornby known as Twiggy is an English model, actress, and singer. In the early-1960s she became a prominent British teenage model of swinging sixties London with others such as Penelope Tree....
. He sang on Eddie Hardin
Eddie Hardin
Eddie Hardin , is an English rock pianist and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his associations with the Spencer Davis Group, Axis Point also Hardin and York...
's "Wizard's Convention II" with Chris Farlowe
Chris Farlowe
Chris Farlowe is an English rock, blues and soul singer. He is best known for his hit single "Out of Time", which rose to #1 in the UK Singles Chart in 1966, and his association with Colosseum and the Thunderbirds.Outside his music career, Farlowe collects war memorabilia.-Career:Inspired by Lonnie...
, Denny Lane, Paul Jones
Paul Jones (singer)
Paul Jones is an English singer, actor, harmonica player, and radio personality and television presenter.-Career:As P. P...
and Tony Ashton
Tony Ashton
Tony Ashton was an English rock pianist, keyboardist, singer, composer, producer and artist.-Biography:...
.
Lawton worked with some of the finest record producers, including Tony Clarke
Tony Clarke (producer)
Tony Clarke was an English rock music record producer and guitarist. Born in Coventry, he is best known for producing The Moody Blues from 1966 to 1979.-Biography:...
(Moody Blues), Jimmy Miller (Rolling Stones), and Harold Faltermayer (Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
), who produced the titles Lawton sang on the Lenny McDowell Project "Lost Paradise".
Lawton sang with German rock band Rebel, later known as Zar, on three albums, during the late '80s -'90s including their hit singles "Line of Fire" and "Eagles Flight", and moved on to Volker Barber's classical project "Excalibur". He also sang on several German commercials, including the "Colgate Gel" TV spots, the "Peter Stuyvesant Travel" spots, the Stuyvesant single "Come Together" and a stint for Harley Davidson Motorbikes.
Lawton formed GunHill, later known as JLB (John Lawton Band), in January 1994, touring the UK and Europe. In 1995 he briefly rejoined Uriah Heep for 2 weeks, to tour South Africa and Austria with Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
, filling in for their singer Bernie Shaw, who was suffering from voice problems at the time.
Inspired by German top producer Robert Papst and his partner Reinhold Hoffman, Lawton re-recorded one of the Les Humphries Singers' favourites, the 1970s hit "Mama Loo", in January 1998. In August 2000, his solo album Still Paying My Dues To The Blues, produced by Robert Papst, was released in Europe, UK and Scandinavia, by Hypertension Music Hamburg and distributed through EDEL Germany. (The album has been re-released in 2010)
During the 4th Uriah Heep Annual Convention in London, May 2000, plans were made for a one-off concert by the so-called Hensley/Lawton Band. Lawton was joined by former Heep keyboardist Ken Hensley
Ken Hensley
Kenneth William David Hensley is a keyboard player , guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s....
, for the first time 21 years after Lawton's departure from Uriah Heep in 1979. With them were Paul Newton (their original bassist), and 2 members of Lawton's band Reuben Kane on lead guitar and Justin Shefford on drums. They played a collection of old Heep classics and some of Hensley & Lawton's solo songs, and the concert was recorded for a CD release called The Return.
In 2001 Lawton teamed up with Ken Hensley
Ken Hensley
Kenneth William David Hensley is a keyboard player , guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s....
to form the Hensley Lawton Band. After extensive touring, during Spring and Summer of 2001, culminating with a concert in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, featuring a full orchestra and a new rendition of Heep's old classic "Salisbury", both Ken and John returned to their respective solo careers. On December 7, 2001, both John Lawton and Ken Hensley appeared on stage with Uriah Heep during the annual Magician's Birthday Party at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. This concert was recorded and released as a CD/DVD.
The John Lawton Band - "JLB" was taken on by Classick Rock Productions in 2001 to record the acoustic CD Steppin' It Up, which features John & Steve Dunning. One More Night Live at the Mean Fiddler, CD & DVD, was recorded in 2002, which was followed in 2003 by JLB's Sting In The Tale CD, an original studio rock album. Later that year followed another Live CD & DVD Shakin' The Tale. JLB had been touring extensively with their last gig in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Sept. 2004, when Lawton decided to take an indefinite break.
In May 2006 Lawton joined forces with Dutch guitarist Jan Dumée
Jan Dumée
Jan Dumée is a Dutch rock/jazz guitar player, composer and record producer.-With Focus:*Focus 8 *Live in the USA *Live in South America -External links:* * * * *...
(ex-Focus
Focus (band)
Focus is a Dutch rock band which was founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969, and is most famous for the instrumental pieces "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia"...
) to form the On The Rocks
On The Rocks (band)
On The Rocks is an international rock band formed by British, Dutch and Brazilian musicians with different musical backgrounds, leading to a unique style.-History:...
project. On The Rocks - "OTR" featured Brazilian musicians Ney Conceição on bass, Xande Figueiredo on drums, and Marvio Ciribelli on keyboards. Lawton and Dumée wrote and recorded the tracks for the debut album Mamonama, released in October 2008.
In September 2008 John Lawton appeared on stage at the Heepvention 2008 in Spain, with former Uriah Heep members Ken Hensley, Lee Kerslake and Paul Newton, together with Jan Dumee from the OTR project on guitar.
In December 2008 John entered the world of television by presenting the Bulgarian travel documentary series "John Lawton presents" which also includes music from the Mamonama album. Made by the Bulgarian TV company "Skat", the films feature interesting historical landmarks of Bulgarian towns and cities, traditional festivities and interviews with the city mayors and local people. Filming and editing of 11 documentaries John Lawton Presents are now completed, including the towns of Karnobat, Sozopol, Tsarevo, Primorsko, Bourgas, Smolyan, Pamporovo, Varna, Malko Tarnovo, Velingrad and Shumen.
In March 2010, John was scheduled to make his acting debut in the motion picture Love.net, filmed and produced by Bulgarian film company Miramar Film. Part of John's scenes were shot at Liscombe Park, UK, featuring a guest appearance by Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box, with the remainder filmed in Sofia. The film is now expected to be premiered in Sofia on March 26, 2011.
With Lucifer's Friend
- Lucifer's FriendLucifer's Friend (album)Lucifer's Friend is the first album by the band Lucifer's Friend, released in 1970.-Side one:# "Ride in the Sky" – 2:55# "Everybody's Clown" – 6:12# "Keep Goin'" – 5:26# "Toxic Shadows" – 7:00-Side two:...
- 1970 - Where the Groupies Killed the BluesWhere the Groupies Killed the BluesWhere the Groupies Killed the Blues is the second album by progressive rock band Lucifer's Friend, released in 1972. Piano is prominent on most songs, and organ is used only on a few songs such as "Where the Groupies Killed the Blues", whereas on the debut album, Lucifer's Friend, organ and guitars...
- 1972 - I'm Just a Rock & Roll SingerI'm Just a Rock & Roll SingerI'm Just A Rock 'n' Roll Singer is the third album released by progressive rock band Lucifer's Friend in 1973. This album marks the point where they completely turn away from the dark lyrics and heavy metal sound.-Side one:# "Groovin’ Stone" - 5:15...
- 1973 - BanquetBanquet (album)Banquet is the fourth album by progressive rock band Lucifer's Friend, released in 1974. By this time there was no hard rock sound, it was now strictly progressive rock mixed with jazz fusion. The song "Our World Is A Rock N' Roll Band" was the opening track on some versions Banquet is the fourth...
- 1974 - Mind ExplodingMind ExplodingMind Exploding is the fifth album by Lucifer's Friend. This album marks the point where they return to a more hard rock oriented style with less of a progressive rock sound. It is more or less the missing link between I'm Just a Rock & Roll Singer and Banquet...
- 1975 - Mean MachineMean Machine (Lucifer's Friend album)Mean Machine is the eighth album by Lucifer's Friend. On this album the band returns to their heavy metal roots, albeit with less of the Hammond organ found on the first album. However, by this time the band had lost its core following years ago and it was too late to recover. Lucifer's Friend...
- 1981 - Sumo GripSumo GripSumo Grip is the ninth and final album by Lucifer's Friend. This album once again displays the wide variety of styles Lucifer's Friend is famous for throughout their previous albums, living up to the "no album is the same" moniker...
- 1994
With the Les Humphries Singers
- We Are Goin' Down Jordan - 1971
- Singing Detonation - 1971
- Old Man Moses - 1971
- Mexico - 1972
- Sound '73 - 1973
- Mama Loo (= La Onu Cantante) - 1973
- Live in Europe - 1973
- Carnival - 1973
- Sound '73/II - 1973
- The World Of - 1973
- Kansas City - 1974
- Sound '74 - 1974
- One of These Days - 1974
- Rock 'n Roll Party - 1974
- Amazing Grace & Gospeltrain - 1975
- Party on the Rocks - 1975
With Uriah Heep
- Firefly - 1977
- Innocent VictimInnocent VictimReleased in 1977, Innocent Victim is the eleventh album released by British rock band Uriah Heep.Although it did not chart in the US or UK, Innocent Victim was highly successful in Germany and New Zealand....
- 1977 - Fallen Angel - 1978
- Live in Europe 79 - (recorded 1979, released 1986)
- The Magician's Birthday Party - (live - recorded 2001, released 2002)
Solo albums
- Heartbeat (also released as "HardBeat") - 1980
- Still Paying My Dues to the Blues - 2000
With Gunhill
- One Over the Eight - 1995
- Night Heat - 1997
- Live in Germany '99 - 1999