Jean-Jacques Burnel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jean-Jacques Burnel | |
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 Jean-Jacques Burnel on stage with The Stranglers in 2005
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| Background information | |
| Born | 21 February 1952 |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genre(s) | rock, new wave, punk |
| Occupation(s) | bass guitarist, composer |
| Instrument(s) | bass guitar |
| Years active | 1974 – Present |
| Associated acts | The Stranglers |
Jean-Jacques Burnel (born 21 February 1952 in London) also known as J J Burnel, is an Anglo-French musician and songwriter, best known as the bass guitarist with the British rock band, The Stranglers.
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[edit] Life and career
Burnel was born in London, to French parents on 21 February 1952. He moved with his parents to Godalming in Surrey when he was about twelve and attended the Royal Grammar School, Guildford and read history at the University of Bradford. Burnel originally trained as a classical guitarist, but adopted the bass guitar as his instrument within the Stranglers. He has also sung lead vocals on approximately 25% of their songs.
Burnel has been with The Stranglers since their inception in 1974, but has also made two solo albums Euroman Cometh in 1979, and Un Jour Parfait in 1988, as well as a collaborative album with fellow Strangler Dave Greenfield, Fire and Water (Ecoutez Vos Murs) in 1983.
Burnel is noted for his distinctive bass guitar sound, which is particularly prominent on earlier Stranglers recordings produced by Martin Rushent, such as the hit singles "No More Heroes" and "Peaches". The aggressive and trebly sound was created using a Fender Precision Bass with RotoSound roundwound strings played with a plectrum very close to the bridge, through a Hiwatt 200w amplifier with 2 Hiwatt 4*12 speaker cabinets. Such a cabinet was intended for electric guitar, and the speaker cones on Burnel's unit were damaged. He now uses an Ashdown rig as can be seen in the picture. J J Burnel has been a RotoSound endorsee since the early 1980s, and has featured in their advertising.
Despite only having lived there for a short period, Burnel received his call-up papers for National service in France. He avoided this service due to the argument that his absence would indirectly damage the Stranglers as a band, and therefore the careers of the other members.
He has also composed and performed some music for the anime, Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, including both the opening and ending themes, "We Were Lovers", and "You Won't See Me Coming" respectively.
[edit] Leisure
- Burnel is a karate expert and was reported to be running a dojo in Cambridgeshire, England. In May 1991 when Burnel returned from Japan, he was graded by Master Soeno of Shidokan as 2nd Dan. He is currently a 6th Dan and plans to spend six months in Japan to win his 7th Dan.
- He is also a motorcyclist, and a fan of the Triumph Bonneville.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Euroman Cometh (1979) #40 (UK Albums Chart)
- Fire and Water (Ecoutez Vos Murs) (with Dave Greenfield) (1983) #94 (UK Albums Chart)
- Un Jour Parfait (1988)
[edit] Singles
- "Freddie Laker (Concorde & Eurobus)" (1979)
- "Girl From the Snow Country" (1981) recalled due to label dispute.
- "They'll Never Know" (with Simon Gallup et al as Fools Dance) (1987)
[edit] References
- Rice, Tim; Gambaccini, Paul; Rice, Jonathan (7 June 1996). British Hit Albums (7th Edition). Guinness World Records ltd. ISBN 0-85112-619-7.
[edit] External links
- The Rat's Lair
- Video Interviews with JJ Burnel - June 2007
- Video Interviews with JJ Burnel - November 2007
