John Ford (British musician)

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This article is about John Ford, British Singer, Song Writer, Producer, Guitarist and Bassist in various bands as The Strawbs, Hudson Ford, The Monks, Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, High Society, as well as playing on other bands albums through the years.

John Ford is an English singer-songwriter and musician. The dynamics and versatility of his musical talent run the gamut from the London folk clubs to large scale international rock venues of the British Invasion of The 60s-70's-80s and now into the 21st Century touring and playing with music legends such as Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, The Eagles, Frank Zappa, Marc Bolan/T. Rex, Blue Öyster Cult, ZZ Top, RUSH, REO Speedwagon, King Crimson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Billy Preston, Cat Stevens, Roy Harper, Dave Mason.

Early music projects as a teenager in the '60s included The Five Proud Walkers, where John got his start. Jaymes Fender & the Vulcans landed John Ford his first major label signing with EMI with pop hit "Mistletoe Love", also becoming known as a teenage heartthrob! Then onto Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera signing to Repertoire.

After playing in various bands, John's unusual percussive style of bass playing caught the eye of Strawbs leader Dave Cousins during a performance at Cousins' folk club in Hounslow. He joined The Strawbs in May 1970. Ford's influence on The Strawbs, primarily known as a folk rock group, shifted them into a new direction in the Prog-Art Rock scene. John penned perennial favorites, "Heavy Disguise" and "Part of the Union," The Strawbs biggest chart hit, working with David Bowie/T. Rex producer, Tony Visconti on A&M. John Ford received three Gold discs and a Platinum disc. A few years later, John Ford and Richard Hudson, formed Hudson Ford, with Top 10 pop chart hits, "Pick Up The Pieces", "Burn Baby Burn" and "Floating In The Wind".

In 1979, Ford hit the charts again with The Monks, a punk project of sorts picked up by EMI, with the surprise hits, "Nice Legs Shame About The Face" and “Suspended Animation.” Ford also developed an alter ego in High Society with classic ‘30s style melodies, releasing a self-titled album in 1984. In 1986, Ford relocated to the US and started working on his solo project and shows.

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 John’s move to the US, then again for the 2001 Strawbs UK Spring Tour. In between, in 1999, John played on Ritchie Blackmore's band Blackmore's Night release “Under A Violet Moon,” their second international release, featured Ford on the beautiful "Wind in the Willows". He also played some shows with the band.

January 2004, John Ford opened to a packed house for Dave Mason at a Long Island concert venue.

July 2004, the STRAWBS SUMMER UK ELECTRIC TOUR in England, featured Ford on bass and vocals with the original UK electric lineup from the 1970s. 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 to trendy hot spots, such as The Under World in London and others throughout the UK, with much success. 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” and “The Complete Strawbs - Live at Chiswick House”.

March 2006, John Ford was featured on The Strawbs UK Electric March 2006 Tour which included a DVD filming for release in 2007.

In addition to his numerous album credits with band projects and as session player throughout the years, John has released seven solo albums:, “Love Is A Highway“ in 1998, “Heading For A High” in 2000, “Natural High” in 2002, ‘Backtracking’ in 2005, all John Ford originals, with him performing virtually all the vocals, instrumentation, as well as, producing the albums. “New World” Maxi-Single EP release. Both, “Backtracking” and “New World,” feature redux of his classic hits, “What Ever Happened to Christmas” – a collection of holiday songs, this album features an array of Christmas Classics together with some original songs. All of these were released on the Indie label, Whole Shot Records.

John Ford releases for 2005 - “What Ever Happened to Christmas” – a collection of holiday songs, unreleased JF originals. John Ford also appears on ROCK 4 XMAS ALL STARS Complilation - which includes John Ford’s rockin’ version of “White Christmas,": along tracks from Cheap Trick, Larry Hoppen (Orleans), Eddie Money and Ronnie Spector & more!

2006 release "A Christmas Trilogy" and upcoming “JOHN FORD: LIVE AT THE BOTTOM LINE.”

John Ford websites: [1]

More details & history on The Strawbs & John Ford info at [2]

SPECIAL THANKS to Dick Greener, The Strawbs Webmaster & Archivist