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Howard Jones (British musician)

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Not to be confused withHoward Jones (American singer).

Howard Jones
Jones performing live at Let's Rock Liverpool on 31 July 2021
Jones performing live at Let's Rock Liverpool on 31 July 2021
Background information
Birth nameJohn Howard Jones
Born(1955-02-23)23 February 1955(age 69)
Southampton,Hampshire,England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • drums
Years active1982–present
Labels
Websitewww.howardjones.com

John Howard Jones(born 23 February 1955)[1]is a British musician, singer and songwriter. He had ten top 40 hit singles in the UK between 1983 and 1986, six of which reached the top ten, including "Like to Get to Know You Well","What Is Love?","New Song",and"Things Can Only Get Better".His 1984 albumHuman's Libreached number one on theUK Albums Chart.Around the world, Jones had 15 top 40 hit singles between 1983 and 1992. The 1986 hit single "No One Is to Blame"reached No. 4 on the US charts. Four others placed in the US top 20.

Jones is associated with the 1980sSecond British Invasionof the US.[3][4]He has been described by theAllMusiceditorStephen Thomas Erlewineas "one of the defining figures of mid-'80ssynth-pop",[1]and he performed atLive Aidin 1985.[5]He has sold over eight million albums.[6]

Early life[edit]

John Howard Jones was born inSouthamptonto Welsh parents and spent his early years inRhiwbina,Cardiff,South Wales,where he attended Heol Llanishen Fach primary school and thenWhitchurch Grammar School.[7]Jones is the eldest of four boys. His brothers, Roy, Martin, and Paul, are all musicians in their own right.[8]Jones began taking piano lessons at age seven.[8]He later attended theRoyal Grammar SchoolinHigh Wycombe,Buckinghamshire.[9]The family moved toCanadawhen he was a teenager. His first band was Warrior, aprogressive rockgroup.[1]

After returning to the UK, Jones attended theRoyal Northern College of MusicinManchesterin the mid-1970s while playing in various bands.[1] He left the college after two-and-a-half years of a three-year course because he did not want to be aclassicalpianist.[6]He met Buddhist practitioner Bill Bryant, who wrote lyrics for some of Jones's songs and was a major influence in this period.[10]The Jones brothers (minus Howard) had a band called Red Beat in the late 1970s.[11]

Career[edit]

1980s[edit]

Jones in 1985.

Jones appeared as a solo artist in local venues in High Wycombe before invitingmime artistJed Hoile to perform improvised choreography as Jones played behind him.[12]In 1983, he hired theMarquee Clubin London and invitedrecord labelsto come and see him perform.[13]After aBBC Radio 1session, Jones obtained support slots withChina CrisisandOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark(OMD) before signing toWarner Music Group(WMG) in mid-1983.[1]He has cited influences such as OMD (whose song "Enola Gay"was covered by Jones in early live sets),Keith EmersonandStevie Wonder.[14]

Jones' firstsingle,"New Song",was released in September 1983. It reached the top 30 in the US and thetop 5in the UK.[5]He made his debut performance onBBC Television'sTop of the Popson 22 September 1983. He had four morehitsover the next twelve months and a UK number one album,Human's Lib,which eventually went double platinum. Bill Bryant was credited with jointly writing the lyrics for six songs on the album.[5]"New Song", "What Is Love?",and"Pearl in the Shell"all did well during 1983 and 1984.[1]Human's Libwas certifiedgoldandplatinumin several countries. Jones had developed a loyal teen following. His parents ran his fan club.[12][15]

In the summer of 1984, Jones released "Like to Get to Know You Well",which he said was 'dedicated to the original spirit of theOlympic Games.' Although it was not an officialOlympic anthemforthe Games in Los Angelesthat summer, it was a worldwide hit. It reached No. 4 on theUK Singles Chart.[5]The sleeve featured the song title in ten different languages while Jones sang the title line in French and German on the extended 12″ version. The song also appeared in the filmBetter Off Dead(1985) and thevideo gameGrand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories(2006).[15]

In February 1985, Jones appeared withStevie Wonder,Herbie HancockandThomas Dolbyat the 27thGrammy Awardsceremony; the group performed a medley of material from all four artists.[16]

Jones' second LP was aremixalbum.[15]It contained six songs, all but one of which had been previously released, but which appeared in elongated formats, including the multilingual version of "Like to Get to Know You Well".[15]The album was certified gold in the UK.[15]

In 1985, Jones released his second studio album,Dream into Action,[1]which included backup work by the trioAfrodiziak.[15]Afrodiziak includedCaron WheelerandClaudia Fontaine.[15]His brother Martin played bass guitar.[15]He had to have an extra string added to hisinstrumentto play some of the bass lines, which had originally been scored for keyboard. One of the album's tracks, "No One Is to Blame",was later re-recorded, featuringPhil Collinsas drummer and producer, and performing backing vocals. (This second version appears on Jones's U.S. EPAction Replay,and also as a bonus track on the CD version of the following LPOne to One).Dream into Actionwas Jones's most successful album and popular worldwide; it reached number two in the UK and number 10 in the US, and remained on the US chart for almost a year.[1][12]The singles "Life in One Day","Things Can Only Get Better",and"Look Mama"appeared on this album.[1]In July 1985, Jones performed atWembley Stadiumas part of theLive Aidconcert, singing his 1984 hit "Hide and Seek"and playing piano.[15]He also embarked on a world tour.[15]

TheEPAction Replaywas released in 1986. It included the re-recorded version of "No One Is to Blame".[1]The song was Jones's biggest US hit, reaching number 4 on the chart.[1]By this time, his fortunes were changing in his native UK, and "No One Is to Blame" peaked at number 16. His next single, "All I Want", peaked at number 35, and would be his last UK top 40 hit. Jones released his third studio album,One to One,in October 1986, which peaked at number 10 in the UK and would be his last UK hit album, despite achieving gold sales status.[1][5]In the US, Jones continued to fill large arenas, and the single "You Know I Love You... Don't You?" went top twenty in 1986 on theBillboardHot 100 singles chart.[citation needed]

In June 1988, Jones performed atAmnesty International'sFestival of Youthat theMilton Keynes Bowl.[17]Jones's subsequent album,Cross That Line(1989), performed poorly in the UK,[12]but the 1989 singles "Everlasting Love"(his second USAdult Contemporarynumber 1 hit after "No One Is to Blame" ) and "The Prisoner"charted in the US. Jones continued to play large venues in the US during the late 1980s, and the Cross That Line Tour played major outdoor venues in the US in 1989.[citation needed]

1990s[edit]

Jones's 1992 albumIn the Runningfailed to chart in the UK,[12]but the single "Lift Me Up"(1992) charted in the US.

With his 10-year tenure on the Warner Music label at an end, a greatest-hits compilationThe Best of Howard Joneswas released in 1993. The album peaked at number 36 in the UK, and by 2005 (12 years after its release) it was certified silver by theBPIfor over 60,000 copies sold in the UK.[citation needed]

Jones had success as a songwriter for other artists in the early 1990s. He co-wrote the dance-music hits "Heaven Give Me Words" and "Your Wildlife" with the members ofPropaganda.The tracks appeared on the 1990 album1234;"Heaven Give Me Words" reached number 22 on the Adult Contemporary chart and "Your Wildlife" reached number 22 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart.[18][19]

After Jones' contract with WMG expired, he concentrated on production, songwriting, and running a restaurant.[15]He started his own record label, Dtox, releasing a number of albums through the label, such asWorking in the Backroom,produced in his own recording studio ('The Shed'). The album, which sold over 20,000 copies in the first year of release, was made available only atconcertsand through his officialwebsite.[1][12]

Jones toured the US and Europe over the next couple of years.Live Acoustic Americacame out in 1996 andPeoplein 1998.[1]

The track "If You Love" was featured on the soundtrack to the TV seriesParty of Five.Jones continued to produce and write for a number of artists during the mid to late 1990s, includingMartin Grech,DBA, andSandie Shaw.[citation needed]

2000s[edit]

In 2001, Jones played keyboards on theRingo Starr & His All-Starr Bandtour.[15]

On 20 September 2003, Jones played a 20th anniversary concert at theShepherd's Bush Empire,London, commemorating the release of his first single.[20]He was joined byMidge UreandNena,as well as his mime artist, Jed Hoile. A recording of this concert was later released on DVD.[20]Jones continued to tour and write new music, collaborating with Robbie Bronnimann to co-write and co-produce music forSugababes,and Jones' own 2005 albumRevolution of the Heart.[1]He toured playing gigs in the United States, Italy, Germany and Sweden and played a number of times at theEdinburgh Festivalin 2006.[21]The same year Jones provided a vocal for the song "Into the Dark" byFerry Corstenfor the latter's album,L.E.F.[22]Jones also re-recorded "Things Can Only Get Better"inSimlish,the fictional language spoken by characters inElectronic Arts',The Sims 2.[23]Jones was also featured on Katrina Carlson'scoverof "No One Is to Blame", which entered the USHot Adult Contemporary Trackschart in 2007.[24]

In October 2006, Jones released "Building Our Own Future" as apodsafetrack, as one of several established artists looking to usepodcastsas a new means of promoting their music and tours.[25]The song debuted at number 1 on the PMC Top10 on 29 October 2006 and spent four weeks at the top of the chart. Jones' track "Revolution of the Heart" spent five weeks at number 1 on the PMC Top10 during 2007 and finished the year as the number 2[26]song in their annual countdown.

Jones embarked on an acoustic tour of Australia in 2007, beginning in Brisbane and concluding on 5 April in Perth.[27]TheRevolution Remixed & Surroundedalbum was followed in November byLive in Birkenhead.Jones performed another acoustic set, with other 1980s acts at the Retrofest, on 1 September 2007 atCulzean Castlein Ayrshire, Scotland.[28]

Jones is a member ofSōka Gakkai International,and is musical director of one of its choirs, the Glorious Life Chorus. The chorus performs some of his songs in its repertoire, including "Building Our Own Future" and "Respected". He returned to Australia again in 2009, this time accompanied by vocalist Laura Clapp and music technologist Robbie Bronnimann. On 26 February 2009, Jones was at the UK premiere ofRoland's new V-Piano inBristol,and performed "Hide and Seek".[29]He continues to tour, and played the 'Big Hair Affair 2009' on 1 August 2009 at the Ryedale Arena,Pickering,North Yorkshire.[30]

Ordinary Heroeswas released in November 2009,[31][32]and he toured London, Cardiff and Manchester with a string section and theMorriston Orpheus Choir(inSt David's HallinCardiff). A single, "Soon You'll Go", preceded the album's launch.[citation needed]During an interview with the Stuck in the '80s podcast after the album's release, Jones said "Soon You'll Go" was inspired by his daughter's upcoming departure to university, but that the song has come to take on broader meaning about cherishing the time he has with people.[33]

Jones is a member of the board of directors for theFeatured Artists Coalition,which was founded in 2009.[34]

2010s[edit]

Jones performing in 2015

On 29 November 2011, a UK tour was announced.Human's LibandDream Into Actionwere performed in April 2012 across eight venues. A weekly radio series coincided with tour calledElectronic 80s with Howard JonesonAbsolute Radio.[citation needed]

In 2012, he appeared on "The Song That Changed My Life" on BYUtv, the cable station forBrigham Young University.[35]

In 2015, the release ofEngagewas made on Jones' own D-TOX Records.[citation needed]

In 2016, he went out on tour supportingBarenaked Ladiesas an opening act for their Last Summer on Earth US tour, reuniting with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.[36]

In 2018, Jones joined fellow musicianSteve HogarthofMarillionby being present at the unveiling of a sculpture in tribute toDavid BowieinAylesbury,Buckinghamshire.[37]

Transformwas released on 10 May, 2019. It features three collaborations with electronic musicianBT.[38]It is the second electronic album in a set of four, the first beingEngage.In 2022 the third album was released,Dialogueconsisting of eight songs. The fourth album in the set, and his fifteenth studio albumGlobal Citizenis expected in 2023.

In the media[edit]

Jones has spoken of the media's negative perception of him. In 2006, he said: "My songs are not about drug-taking or debauchery or rock and roll. They're about positive thinking and challenging people's ideas. I wasn't fashionable. I never got good reviews. But I'm proud of the fact that I wasn't liked by the media... Pop music is so reactionary and bigoted. And I found that what's 'cool' is often very shallow and transient."[21]

Personal life[edit]

Jones is married to Jan Smith.[39]In the late 1980s, Jones began practising Nichiren Buddhism as a member of the worldwide Buddhist associationSoka Gakkai International;he has credited his daily practice of chanting "Nam myoho renge kyo" (I devote myself to the Lotus Sutra) since 1991 as "having a profoundly positive effect on my life."[40]

As of 2006, Jones resided inCreech St Michael,nearTaunton,Somerset.[41]Jones was a vegetarian for 42 years and became a vegan in 2019.[42][43]

Discography[edit]

Main article:Howard Jones discography

Studio albums[edit]

Extended plays[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

  • Howard Jones–Helen FitzGerald(1985); Bobcat, London –ISBN0-7119-0767-6

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdefghijklmnop"Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine".AllMusic.Retrieved14 May2009.
  2. ^Robbins, Ira."Howard Jones".Trouser Press.Retrieved28 August2016.
  3. ^Kaye, Roger (31 October 1984)."Culture Club, Duran Duran, Police lead second invasion".Pittsburgh Press.Retrieved25 August2014.
  4. ^Booth, Cathy (8 June 1984)."The second British invasion: How It Really Happened".The Prescott Courier.United Press International.Retrieved25 August2014.
  5. ^abcdeRoberts, David (2006).British Hit Singles & Albums(19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 289.ISBN1-904994-10-5.
  6. ^ab"Interview: Howard Jones".Songwriting magazine.10 October 2019.Retrieved28 May2024.
  7. ^"Why I still cry at the Welsh National Anthem - an interview with Howard Jones (2009)".Livingmags.co.uk.21 July 2010.
  8. ^abMichalitsianos, Joseph; Journalist (31 October 2016)."Howard Jones Gets Ready To Rock The Wellmont".The Montclair Dispatch.
  9. ^"Howard Jones".All80s.co.uk.29 January 2019.
  10. ^Fitzgerald, Helen (1985).Howard Jones(1st ed.). London: Bobcat books. pp. 34–35.ISBN0-7119-0767-6.
  11. ^"Dream Into Action by Howard Jones - Classic Rock Review".Classicrockreview.com.August 2015.
  12. ^abcdefRoberts, David (1998).Guinness Rockopedia(1st ed.). London: Guinness Publishing Ltd. p.219.ISBN0-85112-072-5.
  13. ^Tobler, John (1992).NME Rock 'N' Roll Years(1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 393. CN 5585.
  14. ^Murphy, Tom (12 October 2011)."Howard Jones on performing Human Lib and Dream Into Action in their entirety on this tour".Westword.Retrieved17 January2017.
  15. ^abcdefghijkl"Howard Jones".80smusiclyrics.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015.Retrieved1 January2009.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  16. ^Parker, Lyndsey (22 January 2020)."Blinded by science: Remembering the surreal 'Synthesizer Showdown' of the 1985 Grammys".Yahoo!Entertainment.Retrieved16 December2022.
  17. ^Tobler, John (1992).NME Rock 'N' Roll Years(1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 443. CN 5585.
  18. ^"1234 - Propaganda | Awards".AllMusic.12 June 1990.Retrieved2 September2013.
  19. ^"Heaven Give Me Words - Propaganda | Listen, Appearances, Song Review".AllMusic.Retrieved2 September2013.
  20. ^ab"Recommendations for Howard Jones: 20th Anniversary Concert Live at the Shepherd's Bush Empire (2005)".IMDb.com.Retrieved2 September2013.
  21. ^abLee, Marc (9 August 2006)."How Howard changed his tune".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved6 September2014.
  22. ^"302 Found".Ferrycorsten.com. Archived fromthe originalon 27 January 2008.Retrieved2 September2013.
  23. ^"Bedingfield sings simlish in new Sims soundtrack - GameSpot.com".Uk.gamespot.com. 29 February 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 15 July 2012.Retrieved2 September2013.
  24. ^"Katrina Carlson mini biography".IMDb.com.Retrieved2 September2013.
  25. ^"Howard Jones".mevio. Archived fromthe originalon 24 February 2012.Retrieved2 September2013.
  26. ^Doelle, Chris (5 January 2008)."Top Hits of 2007".PMC Top10. Archived fromthe originalon 25 March 2008.Retrieved1 April2007.
  27. ^"What's on Perth - April 2007 | Enjoy Perth!".Archived fromthe originalon 15 April 2009.Retrieved2 September2013.
  28. ^"NTS Places to visit - Culzean Castle & Country Park".Nts.org.uk.Retrieved2 September2013.
  29. ^"Howard Jones To Play At Roland V-Piano Bristol, 4th March Arnolfini 11am".Sonicstate.com. 4 March 2009.Retrieved2 September2013.
  30. ^"The Big Hair Affair - Events and Exhibitions, Promoter, Organiser, Indoor and Outdoor, Game Fairs".21 May 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 21 May 2009.Retrieved2 September2013.
  31. ^"Howard Jones records with the Orpheus:: Morriston Orpheus Welsh Male Voice Choir".Morristonorpheus.com. 13 November 2009.Retrieved2 September2013.
  32. ^"Choir director's dream duet with Howard Jones".This is South Wales.30 April 2009.Retrieved2 September2013.
  33. ^"Stuck in the '80s interview with host Steve Spears".Retrieved10 October2010.
  34. ^"Featured Artists Coalition".Featured Artists Coalition. Archived fromthe originalon 16 August 2013.Retrieved2 September2013.
  35. ^"The Song That Changed My Life - Howard Jones".BYUtv. Archived fromthe originalon 9 October 2012.Retrieved8 October2012.
  36. ^"Barenaked Ladies: Last Summer on Earth 2016".Facebook.com.Retrieved16 April2018.
  37. ^"David Bowie sculpture vandalised 48 hours after unveiling".Irish News.27 March 2018.
  38. ^"Howard Jones Will Release New Studio Album" Transform "on May 10".Keyboard.6 February 2019.Retrieved21 April2019.
  39. ^"Howard Jones - Official Website".Howardjones.com.Retrieved20 September2019.
  40. ^Jones, Howard."Howard On Buddhism".Howardjones.com.Retrieved13 October2013.
  41. ^"Somerset - Entertainment - Howard Jones in Taunton".BBC.Retrieved2 September2013.
  42. ^Prasad, Anil (2018)."In conversation: Howard Jones".Godisinthetvzine.co.uk.Retrieved8 November2018.
  43. ^"If I ruled the world: Howard Jones".readersdigest.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2023.

External links[edit]

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