A little about me:
At first, I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to put on this page. I've seen so many uninteresting biographies. Hopefully you will find this one to be just a little amusing and informative? It's just a little look back on my life and how I got so interested in music. Like any good film, it starts with a bathroom scene. Unfortunately that's where the similarity ends, as it's not some gorgeous supermodel taking a shower, it was my Dad! I was about 4 years old, I couldn't wait for him to come out and hear me playing the theme tune from 'Van der Valk' on his small electric organ. I remember two things that left a lasting impression: It was the first thing I had ever done that my Dad was really impressed by. Secondly, I loved the feeling of knowing that I'd worked out how to play the melody. So I started then to take a real interest in music. I recall the first time I was truly amazed by a singer's voice. It was at a family party, I would have been around four years old. I know now that it was Roy Orbison on the record player, but at the time I desperately needed to know whose voice it was, so I asked an Aunt who replied with worldly knowledge, "it's Jim Reeves." I asked my Mum to buy the album. I couldn't understand why it didn't sound quite the same as it did at the party, I remember feeling empty inside, I thought I would never hear that beautiful music again. |
Aged about six, I remember sneaking into the piano room at school. I knew that I'd get told off for being in there without a teacher but I couldn't help myself, I only had to see a piano to be mysteriously drawn to it and of course, I could not have just stayed quietly in there, I just had to play it, well, maybe playing it is a slight over exaggeration. I clearly remember losing myself in the sound when a teacher came rushing in and shouted, "Come away from there at once before you break it!"
At the age of eight I started piano lessons at school, at ten my parents gave me the choice of going to Disneyland, Florida or having my own piano. I decided on the piano. I didn't know how to play many recognizable tunes so; I began composing little ones of my own by playing three or four chords with a little melody on top. Over the next few years I kept writing my little tunes, each one slightly more complex than the last.
At 13, I teamed up with my best friend Paul, we entered our first music competition at school. We wrote an original composition called Bright Lights. Eagerly awaiting the results, the judge stood at the front of the stage and announced, "The winning song is Bright Lights." Paul and I walked to the stage to collect our prize, everyone was applauding, I felt so proud.
The judge looked at us in horror and quickly said, "I'm terribly sorry, I read the placement order back to front, Bright Lights was last!"
This little setback did not deter me one little bit, in fact, it made me more determined to work harder at my music. I loved the feeling of achievement I get when listening back to an original composition.
At the age of eight I started piano lessons at school, at ten my parents gave me the choice of going to Disneyland, Florida or having my own piano. I decided on the piano. I didn't know how to play many recognizable tunes so; I began composing little ones of my own by playing three or four chords with a little melody on top. Over the next few years I kept writing my little tunes, each one slightly more complex than the last.
At 13, I teamed up with my best friend Paul, we entered our first music competition at school. We wrote an original composition called Bright Lights. Eagerly awaiting the results, the judge stood at the front of the stage and announced, "The winning song is Bright Lights." Paul and I walked to the stage to collect our prize, everyone was applauding, I felt so proud.
The judge looked at us in horror and quickly said, "I'm terribly sorry, I read the placement order back to front, Bright Lights was last!"
This little setback did not deter me one little bit, in fact, it made me more determined to work harder at my music. I loved the feeling of achievement I get when listening back to an original composition.
One summer I was on holiday in Wales with my family, I tuned in on my radio cassette player and heard a song that had that same impact on me as Roy Orbison did ten years before. This time it was Jerry Lee Lewis' Great balls of Fire! I thought the sound and energy was amazing! I quickly pressed the record button and then waited with eager anticipation for the DJ to announce who the artist was. Sadly he didn't. I played it over and over for the rest of our stay, in between I had the radio on in the hope I might hear it again and discover who it was. It didn't happen.
However, I did hear the song Marie, Marie by Shaking Stevens, I was certain it was the same guy so I bought his album This Old House, only to discover great Balls was not on it. It was after this holiday that I realized I was drawn to anything with that 1950's sound.
However, I did hear the song Marie, Marie by Shaking Stevens, I was certain it was the same guy so I bought his album This Old House, only to discover great Balls was not on it. It was after this holiday that I realized I was drawn to anything with that 1950's sound.
While my voice was breaking, I got interested in synthesized sounds I remember watching a band called Hot Chocolate that had an electronic keyboard on top of the piano. I loved the idea and a few days later sold my bike and bought a second hand Yamaha P3 keyboard. It was a tiny little thing with only 8 sounds and 4 different rhythms, but I was mightily impressed. I fell in love with with electronic keyboards and used to go to music stores and pick up brochures then spend hours gazing longingly at the latest models, I know, it sounds so sad. It wasn't long though before I was the proud owner of several little keyboards.
My Mum started paying for me to have private piano tuition at home. This paid off, in 1982 after just one year, I achieved a grade 5 piano exam with distinction with the highest marks in the whole West Midlands. By this time I was writing and recording songs that contained lyrics. At 15 I had probably written and recorded over one hundred songs. Howard Jones was the new kid on the block at the time, and being like myself a singer songwriter and keyboard player, he became a true inspiration to me. I still loved the sounds of the 50's though. |
At sixteen, while on holiday with my Dad, and without me knowing, he put my name down for a talent competition. When I saw the Grand piano I was to play and was immediately won over. I entered the contest, played two songs and came second.
That same year, my parents paid for me to go to a large recording studio for the first ever time. When I arrived, the guy running the place saw my keyboard which, to me, was the 'Bees Knees', to him looked cheap and nasty. So I was assigned to the office junior to do my recording. However, within a short time the guy in charge heard what i was doing and was so impressed, he took over the recording session. At 2.00 am my parents and I were still there and he was talking about signing me up with a recording contract. My Mum was concerned about me being so young and told me there would be plenty of time for that kind of commitment in the future.
In 1985 I wanted to get my music off the ground and purchased my first amplifier, PA system and Microphone, and began entering various talent competitions.
By the age of seventeen, with my love of music and my ambition to be successful as a musical artist, I decided to quit college after just twelve weeks, contrary to the advice of virtually everyone I knew. I left and it wasn't long before before I was performing two or three nights a week.
By now I had four full size keyboards which I used to arrange in a two tier L shape on stage, 'my Castle' I called it! This was all in the days before the age of modules, controller keyboards and soft synths, so if you wanted new sounds you had to buy another keyboard!
That same year, my parents paid for me to go to a large recording studio for the first ever time. When I arrived, the guy running the place saw my keyboard which, to me, was the 'Bees Knees', to him looked cheap and nasty. So I was assigned to the office junior to do my recording. However, within a short time the guy in charge heard what i was doing and was so impressed, he took over the recording session. At 2.00 am my parents and I were still there and he was talking about signing me up with a recording contract. My Mum was concerned about me being so young and told me there would be plenty of time for that kind of commitment in the future.
In 1985 I wanted to get my music off the ground and purchased my first amplifier, PA system and Microphone, and began entering various talent competitions.
By the age of seventeen, with my love of music and my ambition to be successful as a musical artist, I decided to quit college after just twelve weeks, contrary to the advice of virtually everyone I knew. I left and it wasn't long before before I was performing two or three nights a week.
By now I had four full size keyboards which I used to arrange in a two tier L shape on stage, 'my Castle' I called it! This was all in the days before the age of modules, controller keyboards and soft synths, so if you wanted new sounds you had to buy another keyboard!
When I was eighteen I entered a big talent competition being run by one of the newspapers. I won the contest, I felt so proud.
At nineteen I was still performing at least three shows a week, and getting reviews in the club gazettes such as "Book him now while you can still afford him!" A few years on, my brother and I were involved in a car accident which affected me quite badly, psychologically rather than physically. I had to give up performing live and spent my time writing songs and recording fellow artists in my little 'Studio' Nine years passed like this, I was going nowhere fast. I wouldn't let anyone outside of my circle of friends hear me perform. The truth was I didn't think I was capable of performing live anymore. I tried to convince everyone that all was OK, laughing and joking with my friends. Well, at the age of twenty nine something unexpected happened that changed my life forever. My wife announced she was pregnant! Two days after my 30th birthday I became the father of a beautiful little girl. Having a child changed my life in every way imaginable. This was the kick start I needed. I took the Bull by the horns and set to recording backing tracks so I could earn money performing live again. Sadly, our marriage didn't survive, and my daughter went to live with her Mum. I needed a distraction fast! |
So, I began working on my Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute, writing and recording the backing tracks and studying his innovative piano style.
I listened closely to jerry Lee Lewis' vocal phrasing and the texture of his voice so that I could recreate that electrifying Rock n Roll sound.
I also wanted to recreate the image of the early Jerry Lee and bought wigs and costumes.
I no longer wear the wigs as I believe my singing and vocal skills are good enough to demonstrate my tribute to the great man and his talent.
The reactions to my Show have been better than I could have ever imagined. This has been the best musical direction I have ever taken, I love performing as Jerry Lee Lewis.
In January of 2006 I was asked to perform my Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute at the Lord Mayor of Birmingham's Show at the Barn in Birmingham. TV comic Billy Pearce was also on the bill as was Bjorn Again, the most successful Abba tribute in the world.
In February the same year I was delighted to perform at the President's Show at the Tysley Working Mens Club as the headline act, I had a brilliant response.
In March, I supported Union Gap who had the hit record 'Young Girl' Again I got wonderful feedback.
I listened closely to jerry Lee Lewis' vocal phrasing and the texture of his voice so that I could recreate that electrifying Rock n Roll sound.
I also wanted to recreate the image of the early Jerry Lee and bought wigs and costumes.
I no longer wear the wigs as I believe my singing and vocal skills are good enough to demonstrate my tribute to the great man and his talent.
The reactions to my Show have been better than I could have ever imagined. This has been the best musical direction I have ever taken, I love performing as Jerry Lee Lewis.
In January of 2006 I was asked to perform my Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute at the Lord Mayor of Birmingham's Show at the Barn in Birmingham. TV comic Billy Pearce was also on the bill as was Bjorn Again, the most successful Abba tribute in the world.
In February the same year I was delighted to perform at the President's Show at the Tysley Working Mens Club as the headline act, I had a brilliant response.
In March, I supported Union Gap who had the hit record 'Young Girl' Again I got wonderful feedback.
In June, 2006, my Mum successfully beat Breast Cancer. We organized a charity show to raise money for a research nurse. £4100 was raised in total thanks to my tribute act and supporting acts from my musician friends, also some fantastic people who worked behind the scenes, selling raffle tickets and promoting the show.
In 2007 I had the most amazing holiday first in Las Vegas and then Memphis, where I recorded at Sun Studios! I could not believe I was recording tracks in the same place where Elvis, jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins had all been before me! It was so overwhelming, I could hardly focus. I wouldn't say I was overly spiritual but, I could really senses something special about Sun Studio. It was as though the walls had somehow absorbed the energy of these Rock n Roll legends.
I also visited Graceland, I was touched by just how peaceful and homely it is. You start to realize just how remarkable Elvis really was! This young country boy who became a giant that sold a billion records! He really was so talented and taken so young. |
The Jerry Lee Lewis Show is getting better and better and I believe I can make my show one of the most enjoyable and entertaining tribute shows in the UK.
In the last couple of years I have also had the pleasure of working with some amazing tribute artists and bands in various shows, notably the terrific Temple Brothers as the Everly Brothers in their show The Everly Brothers and Friends, Steve Taylor and Buddy Walker, both Buddy Holly tributes not to be missed, and the Spirit Band, great Rock n Roll musicians. Also a great Character and Elvis tribute, Alvin Prentwhistle.
Space is limited so please do not be offended if I have not mentioned all the great acts I have worked with!
I have a wonderful family and friends, and a job I love. To cap it all my daughter is now back home living with me.
Who could ask for anything more?
NEWS for 2020
During the last year or so I have been delighted to be invited as an occasional guest performer with the fabulous Dreamers of 1960's fame in their fantastic Lollipops and Moptops Show.
Also, new this year for Warners Hotels The Everly's and Friends Live Hits Show has hit the road, all totally live music, no backing tracks, exciting times!
To be continued.....
In the last couple of years I have also had the pleasure of working with some amazing tribute artists and bands in various shows, notably the terrific Temple Brothers as the Everly Brothers in their show The Everly Brothers and Friends, Steve Taylor and Buddy Walker, both Buddy Holly tributes not to be missed, and the Spirit Band, great Rock n Roll musicians. Also a great Character and Elvis tribute, Alvin Prentwhistle.
Space is limited so please do not be offended if I have not mentioned all the great acts I have worked with!
I have a wonderful family and friends, and a job I love. To cap it all my daughter is now back home living with me.
Who could ask for anything more?
NEWS for 2020
During the last year or so I have been delighted to be invited as an occasional guest performer with the fabulous Dreamers of 1960's fame in their fantastic Lollipops and Moptops Show.
Also, new this year for Warners Hotels The Everly's and Friends Live Hits Show has hit the road, all totally live music, no backing tracks, exciting times!
To be continued.....