John started playing guitar at the age
of 13 in London. Completely self taught, he formed various
rock bands playing around the capital, from clubs and pubs to venues
like The Shepherds Bush Empire (opening for Cliff Richard).
Plus joining with the leading TV and music stars in a major spectacular
event performed in front of Royalty.
Still playing in his rock band, John was moving towards
jazz and blues, forming a vocal/guitar duo.>>>
They appeared
at the legendary London music venue - The Red Cow in Hammersmith,
playing regular residencies, as did laterly Paul Weller, The Jam,
The Stranglers, Squeeze, AC/DC, Sting & The Police plus many
more. John was also doing BBC broadcast recording
sessions at the iconic Maida Vale studios in Delaware Road,
London.
Moving to Cornwall, John was a founder member of
a cool jazz funk fusion band called 'Matrix' playing regularly
throughout the county. He also played with an 18 piece
big band. John also played behind the renowned jazz saxophonists
Alan Skidmore and the late Joe Harriot and for shear diversity...recording
with The Wurzels for BBC TV
...and he started a studio
One of the first multi-track studios in Cornwall, producing albums
and singles for many bands and musicians, including Ian Dunlop,
founder member of the legendary 'Flying Burrito Brothers'
band with the late Gram Parsons of The Byrds.
More studio space was needed so bigger premises was found and new, larger
equipment installed.
The recording continued
John has played on a myriad of recordings and
arranged scores of vocal harmonies. He has produced artistes for
United Artists, Warner Bros. and RCA.
"I
think you must always be creative, Peter Gabriel explained to me
how he got the high squeal voice on the 'Intruder' track, by shouting
into a tiny plastic amplifier and miking it"
John was also commissioned by the BBC to write and record several signature
tunes for TV including the theme for 'Spotlight South West' he
also appeared on TV demonstrating multi-track recording
techniques.
John still plays with many musician friends
using both electric and acoustic guitars and also guitar synthesiser,
and recently for 10 years with the superb vocalist Kris Gayle
as the duo - Knight
& Gayle.
