Rod Burton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rod Burton is a singer, songwriter, and musician best known for being part of the trio Rod, Jane and Freddy. Rod's stage career first started when he and two of his friends started their own band; they would play at various clubs and pubs in their local area. One night, whilst singing a song that Rod wrote, they caught the ear of their local radio host, who happened to be in the pub. The band was asked to write and perform an intro that would be used in the radio show. From then on, Rod was never short of work, writing TV theme tunes and jingles and songs for radio and theatre.
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[edit] Rainbow
In 1973, while recording in a studio with his then-wife Jane Tucker, Rod saw an advertisement asking for a band that could write music to "entertain and educate kids." He sent in a demo tape containing the song "Words" (later to be re-recorded by Rod, Jane and Freddy). Rod and Jane got accepted and were paired with Matthew Corbett, who also auditioned. Rod, Jane, and Matt replaced the band "TellTale" in a revamping of the show Rainbow to try and bring in more viewers. Later, Matthew would be replaced with Freddy Marks, creating the trio's most famous incarnation: Rod, Jane and Freddy.
[edit] Rod, Jane and Freddy Show
Towards the end of 1980, the trio were approached by ITV to do their own show. Plans went through, and The Rod, Jane and Freddy Show aired its first episode on 15 January 1981. Rod's marriage to Jane hit hard times in 1982, and it showed in Rod's writing; many of his songs were dark, with double meanings. In 1983, Rod and Jane got divorced. The trio, however, never let anything show on screen and continued on with the show. Rod, Jane and Freddy appeared in both their own show and Rainbow until 1991, when they left their position as musicians on Rainbow to focus solely on The Rod, Jane and Freddy Show.
[edit] Touring
In 1990, Rod toured with Jane and Freddy in their stage shows all across the country until 1996. In 1996, he won a Gold Badge Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.
[edit] The Present
Rod currently lives at his home in London with his longtime girlfriend and his son Joel. He is enjoying his retirement, but still misses the stage at times. He takes up the long days by traveling and cooking, and he has become addicted to shows like Cash in the Attic. He loves searching around secondhand shops and car boots for any antiques he may find.
