Later on, leaving Strawbs to form Hudson Ford with drummer, Richard Hudson, they produced two Top Ten hits, “Burn Baby Burn” and “Pick Up The Pieces” on A&M. In 1979, Ford shifted gears, forming Punk project, The Monks, releasing Bad Habits, on EMI and Suspended Animation on Polygram; all projects culminating with Ford receiving a succession of noteworthy Gold and Platinum Records for the albums and Singles, plus an Ivor Novello Award for his songwriting efforts. By the mid 1980s, Ford had relocated to the US, pursuing a Solo career.
Thus far, he has recorded and produced nine Solo releases. The most recent, Big Hit In India, featuring twelve of perhaps his greatest songs, having an array of styles and genres from Rock to Pop on the Whole Shot Records label. His versatile live performances shift easily from Solo Acoustic to fronting a full electric band. Ford has appeared on various compilations, including a stint in Richie Blackmore and Candace Night’s medieval themed project Blackmore’s Night.
John is also featured on Lay Down With The Strawbs CD & DVD, and appears on Grave New World, Strawbs: Live In Tokyo’75; he is also featured on The Compleat Strawbs –Live At Chiswick House and can be heard on many other Strawbs albums.
LONGER BIO
British musician, John Fords Big Hit In India, 2008 CD release, his 9th Solo album ~ Features twelve of his latest, greatest songs ~ an array of styles to fit many genres from Rock to Pop, since moving to the states from the UK in the late 80s. His versatile live performance easily shifts from Solo acoustic to fronting a full electric band. Ford has played, toured and shared the bill with other music legends as Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, Dave Mason, Eagles, Frank Zappa, Marc Bolan, T. Rex, Blue Oyster Cult, ZZ Top, RUSH, REO Speedwagon, King Crimson, Lynyrd Skynrd, Billy Preston, Cat Stevens, Roy Harper, and many more! John Ford also performed with Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night in Blackmore’s Night and appears on “Wind In The Willows,” on Under a Violet Moon CD.
Ford, a teen heartthrob, wrote his first hit, “Mistletoe Love,” as bassist and singer for Jaymes Fenda and the Vulcans on Parlophone, John Ford went on to join Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera (aka Velvet Opera), who opened regularly and at times, mistaken for Pink Floyd on the UK club circuit. Ford’s unusual percussive style of bass playing caught the eye of Strawbs leader, Dave Cousins, with Ford joining Strawbs in May 1970. The Strawbs, primarily known as a Folk Rock group, with John Ford's influence, shifted easily into the Prog-Art Rock Scene, also included Rick Wakeman, on synth/keyboards (later replaced by Blue Weaver). John penned the Strawbs biggest hits, “Heavy Disguise,” and “Part of the Union,” a UK Top of the Pops Chart Hit at #2, on Bursting At The Seams, spending 59 weeks on the UK Album and Single charts. Popular worldwide ~ a favourite with Union workers, still to this day. Produced by Tony Visconti for A&M, John Ford received three Gold and a Platinum Records, and an Ivor Novello Award.
Leaving the Strawbs to form Hudson Ford, releasing five records and more hits, “Pick Up the Pieces,” “Burn Baby Burn,” “Floating in The Wind,” whilst on A&M. In 1979, John Ford formed The Monks; a British punk rock band signed with EMI, and back on the Charts again with surprise hits, “Nice Legs Shame About The Face” from Bad Habits, followed by Suspended Animation with both Album and Single going Gold. John reunited with the Strawbs for UK Tours in the 80s, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2006 and the September 2009 Strawbs Anniversary Weekend at Twickenham Rugby Stadium in London filmed and recorded for CD/DVD release.
John Ford is featured on 2008 DVD - Lay Down With The Strawbs, from the 2006 STRAWBS SPRING UK ELECTRIC TOUR. John Ford also appears on DVD classics - Strawbs Live In Tokyo '75 & GRAVE NEW WORLD, The Complete Strawbs - Live at Chiswick House, in addition to nine solo records on Whole Shot Records and dozens of recordings John appears on with the Strawbs, Hudson Ford, The Monks and other band projects and sessions
Audio/Video/Photos
Live
John Ford performs solo, duo, three piece electric acoustic or with full backing band. His setlist includes a selection of original material from his various band projects and solo catalogue and usually run 45 min. per set. John also adds covers from his favourite bands including Beatles, Tom Petty, Oasis and other Top 40 hits depending on the situation/audience, etc.
