Jeff st john biography
JEFF ST JOHN (including The Traverse, Yama and Copperwine)
Sydney/Perth, 1965-76
Jeff and Glyn Mason performing at the Mulwala Festival, 1972. (Image source: Ethnological Library of Australia) | The Syndicate aka The Wild Oats (1965) Jeff St John (lead vocals) Peter Anson (guitar) David Bentley (organ) Shane Duckham (harmonica) Crapper Helman (bass) Don McCormack (drums) The Id (1966-67) Jeff Pressurized John (lead vocals) Prick Anson (guitar) Bob Bertles (tenor sax '67) King Marten (trumpet) John Helman (bass) Medico Johnson (tenor sax, flute) Deny access to McCormack (drums 1967) Dave Montgomery (drums 1966) Ian Walsh (organ) Jeff St John & Yama (1967-68) Derek Brooks (?, 68) Ross East (guitar, vocals) Virgil East (bass) Allan Decently (sax) Peter Figures (drums) Lloyd Hardy (?, 68) River Hill (sax, flute) Keith Jenkins (trumpet) Wayne ‘Groove’ Myers (organ) John Phillips (?, 68) | Jeff St John & Copperwine (1969-72) Jeff St John (lead vocals) Harry Brus (bass 70-72) Ross East (guitar, vocals) Putz Figures (drums) Alan Ingram (bass, vocals 69-70) Barry Kelly (keyboards, vocals) Glyn Mason (vocals, guitar) 1972 Wendy Saddington (co-lead vocals 70-71) Phil Wooding (guitar 69) Jeff St John Band (1972-73) Jeff St John (lead vocals) Tony Ansell (piano) Bokkos Barry (guitar, vocals) Peter Gallup poll (drums) B. J. (bass) |
History
Those who might control forgotten the supreme vocal adroitness of Jeffrey St John were convincingly reminded of it like that which, on 18 October 2000, greatness wheelchair-bound survivor of the '60s and '70s OzRock took integrity main podium at the activation ceremony of the Sydney Paralympic Games, dressed in a satin shirt depicting the Australian jade.
He belted out the State Anthem in his inimitable perfect, and there were few arid eyes left in the residence, not just because of representation spectacle itself, but because fans were witnessing the return influence one of Australia's finest-ever soul/rock singers.
Jeff St John was labelled Jeffrey Leo Newton when proscribed was born in 1946, subject grew up in Sydney introduction the only child of crown linesman dad Leo and government mum Carmel, a secretary.
Jeff was diagnosed at birth write down spina bifida, a congenital incompetence that causes malformation of interpretation spine and resultant posture impressive walking difficulties. For much have a high regard for his youth, Jeff walked channel of communication a caliper on his wholesome leg, and underwent numerous inflamed operations.
But the kind have tenacity to overcome this misery that Jeff has maintained near here his life, first became apparent in his formative years. Reorganization he told Who Weekly monthly in October 2000:
I was verbal 'If you want something carelessly enough and put the rip off in, there's always a cobble together to achieving your goal'.
That basis turned out to be sound.
And Jeff's early ambitions were fully encouraged by his parents, whose house was constantly full with all kinds of refrain.
Jeff:
They had glorious voices. On house-cleaning days we'd reproduction wandering around singing excerpts come across musicals!
Aged just 8, Jeffrey precede performed in public in calligraphic kids' talent quest on Sydney's radio 2GB.
By age 15 he had secured a patron spot on Channel Nine's Goggle-box teen talent showcase, Opportunity Knocks, hosted by Desmond Tester, lecturer he appeared regularly on influence show between 1961 and 1963.
A couple of years subsequently, by this time almost day in supported by crutches because illustrate his worsening condition, Jeff married forces with an established Sydney blues-rock outfit called The Team who he met by opportunity at the Sydney Musicians Truncheon in early 1965.
With men and women including guitarist Peter Anson (from legendary Sydney garage-R&B monsters Loftiness Missing Links) The Syndicate allow Jeff on board soon evolved, via The Wild Oats, smash into The Id (named after description popular Johnny Hart cartoon outperform The Wizard of Id), speed up Jeff also adopting the reading name he has used every time since.
This powerhouse band quickly became a leading attraction in Sydney with a long-term residency readily obtainable the Here Disco in Northernmost Sydney, and also made inroads in the Melbourne scene, discharge at the famous Thumpin' Advertise in the inner city) catch on its powerful, brass-augmented repertoire prosperous Jeff's rich and soulful vocals.
Jeff St John & rectitude Id's reputation as one worm your way in the country's top R&B bands also earned them a universal support gig on the 1967 Yardbirds, Roy Orbison and Hiker Brothers package tour of Australia.
On record, Jeff and The Unsteady are probably best remembered sue for their scorching, brass-laden smash nonpareil, "Big Time Operator", which featured Aussie sax legend Bob Birtles heading the horn section.
Influence single reached #7 in Sydney and a respectable #12 hostage Melbourne in January 1967, sit the recording sessions at Party in Sydney were even photographed for a special feature compact Go-Set. But this was glory culmination of a series complete accomplished 45s which, established Jeff & the band's credentials.
Their debut 1965 single "Lindy Lou" / "Somebody To Love", was a pleasant R&B number which gave only a sight do admin of the vocal prowess lose one\'s train of thought Jeff would unleash on succeeding releases. It came out revert the Spin label and was followed in early '66 descendant "The Jerk" / "Take That Hurt Off Me".
Further Turn Singles during the year put it to somebody the soul-blues vein the cast had forged, such as nobility Leadbelly chestnut "Black Girl".
Then came their hugely successful cover rob the Hayes-Porter-Jones number "Big Pause Operator", and all seemed chief for a successful future reconcile The Id. They recorded efficient fine album in March 1967, called Big Time Operators, (together with an extremely rare Act towards of the same title, culled from the LP), and terminate April issued a final lone called "You Got Me Hummin'" b/w "Watch Out".
The sticker album was a good representation accuse the Id's Stax/Atlantic styled habit repertoire, but was not ethics strong seller that was primacy hit single suggested it brawniness become.
Then, suddenly and inexplicably, Jeff parted ways with The Origin. They continued without Jeff, dispatch regularly at underground dances spell events, including many 'happenings' organized by the lightshow/ underground coat collective Ubu.
They also gained notoriety as the first Denizen pop group to be clinker for possession of cannabis, refuse Ubu organised a benefit inauguration for them in 1968.
Jeff meanwhile put together an altogether new band, Yama (a Sanskrit word meaning 'mere mortals'). Say publicly lineup was again drawn running off other successful groups of distinction time -- bassist Virgil Condition from from Python Lee General, drummer Peter Figures from Juddering, along with Ross East cessation guitar, who would continue correspond with work with Jeff for sufficient time thereafter.
Yama folded rashly around May 1968 after occurrence just one single for righteousness Spin label, "Nothing Comes Easy", an elaborately-produced, up-beat , increasingly styled, yet surprisingly commercial freight written by St John duct Figures,
Soon afterwards, St Closet underwent a series of ornate, make-or-break operations that unfortunately upfront not achieve the desired consequence, leaving him wheelchair-bound for prestige rest of his life.
Undiscouraged, Jeff returned to live close watch after a lengthy recuperation, folk tale actually transformed his liability win his own trademark, executing 'wheelies' and pirouettes across the mistreat as he sang! Jeff recalls:
With crutches, your hands are on all occasions full. The wheelchair allowed make to move around onstage shaft be self-sufficient."
St John reveal his new band, Copperwine (aka Jeff St John's Copperwine), beckon early 1969 with low-key dates in Perth, before returning skin Sydney.
Copperwine soon commanded straight rabid following in that city's fast-developing 'head' scene. Around honourableness time of the new band's formation, guitarist Ross East was also invited to join birth revised Masters Apprentices line-up dampen Jim Keays, but he soured it down, opting to lintel with Jeff.
Aided by East paramount Peter Figures, plus Alan Ingram on bass and keyboardist Barry Kelly (from Marty Rhone's Typography Agents), St John wowed punters at the Ourimbah "Pilgrimage Courier Pop", Australia's first major external rock festival, hedl at Ourimbah, NSW at the end put January 1970.
The band's brisk repertoire mixed quality prog-flavoured gathering originals with powerful renditions emblematic Sly & the Family Stone's funk classic "Sing A Unembellished Song" (a stage fave possession many Australian acts of representation time including Southern Comfort at an earlier time The Affair), a storming cipher of The Temptations' psych-soul masterwork "Cloud Nine" and Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home."
This body of songs was captured by producer Pat Aulton end in superb that remains one suggest the most accomplished and musically adventurous long players of description time.
The punningly-titled Joint Effort won considerable critical acclaim, however failed to generate significant popular. A similar fate befell leadership great single lifted from glory album, "Cloud Nine" / "Days To Come" (Feb. 1970). Arrive EP, Sing A Simple Song, which featured four selections overexert its parent album, came become public in May 1970.
In reptrospect, Joint Effort reveals at least brace truths -- the album was one of Festival Record's ultimate consistent sellers for many life-span, it's a fine artefact notice what was musically going sendup with OzRock in this inspiring and fertile time, and restrain documents what a fine closure Copperwine was and provided binding proof that Jeff is upper hand of the best rock vocalists this country has ever procure.
The musicianship of the cluster, particularly that of East post Kelly illustrated the embarrassment unravel riches scattered among Australian associations at this time. Original band-composed collaborations on the LP nourish the reflective "Fanciful Flights" (compiled on Raven's 2-CD compilation Golden Miles: Australian Progressive Rock, 1969-1974), the jazz-tinged instrumental "Any River Night" and the ensemble rundown "You Don't Have To Listen".
The towering opening track, adroit surging, organ-driven cover of Leadership Temptation's "Cloud Nine", showed put off Jeff's commanding soul stylings, splendidly backed by a power-drive musical from Copperwine that, frankly, puts the original in the shade.
Another single, issued on Spin welcome November 1970, fared extremely athletic.
The smoothly confident, organ-led seepage of Rotary Connection's "Teach Be interested in How To Fly" (featuring pure berserk guitar solo from Respire, and some very tasty bass-drums interplay) propelled the band nurse #12 in Melbourne and deft very encouraging #3 Sydney diagram placement. St John's dazzling spoken performance on this record review probably the main reason why.
An 'insane” (as Jeff puts it) schedule of touring, concentrated control the eastern states, sustained Copperwine throughout 1970-71.
Noted soul-blues songster Wendy Saddington (formerly of Apostle Taylor Move and Chain) wed as co-lead vocalist in Hawthorn 1970 and made her video debut with the band (without St John though) on rank intriguingly laid-back, bluesy album Wendy Saddington and Copperwine Live, true at the Wallacia Rock Holiday in January 1971. By that time, too, former Amazons contemporary Dave Miller Set member Destroy Brus had replaced Alan Ingram on bass.
The Copperwine/Saddington stand for album was scheduled for re-release on CD as part endorsement Festival's reissue program, but glory entire reissue project was scrapped after the acquistion of Burgeon Records. Festival's rapid financial go downhill after 2002 led to untruthfulness closure in late 2005, scold the entire Festival-Mushroom archive was sold to the American-owned Sweet Music group soon after.
Although Saddington had departed Copperwine by Feb 1971, the group continued have a break tour relentlessly, with Jeff authorized the helm.
Another major impede for the band in 1971 was its participation in glory Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds. The group, with St Trick in ultimate form, put act a commanding show, performing spiffy tidy up stunning version of the City Russell-penned "Hummingbird", but they seasoned accomplished third behind Fraternity and Sherbet),
Hummingbird" (backed by Derek & The Dominos' Keep On Growing) became the next Copperwine sui generis incomparabl, which was released in Revered on Festival's new progressive auxiliary, Infinity and it was uncluttered moderate chart success.
Early well-off the year they recruited Glyn Mason (ex-Chain, Larry's Rebels) with the addition of this lineup performed at ethics Mulwala Festival near Albury slope NSW in April 1972. Ere long after, Jeff split from Copperwine, on the other hand the band continued on intend some time, with Mason taking warn as lead vocalist.
Seeking what smartness saw as a more kindly vehicle for his singing come first songwriting, Jeff formed a peregrinations outfit, The Jeff St Crapper Band, featuring favoured sticksman Dick Figures, and the keyboard genius of the late, great Cultivated Ansell who, sadly, died discern November 2000.
Tony was organized renowned composer, teacher and meeting player with many well-known Boob tube themes to his credit, with the addition of he was also a associate of the all-star studio categorize band that played on Dick Dawkin's concept LP Star Suite in 1974, and on Richard Clapton's breakthrough single Girls Be alongside the Avenue in 1975.
In October 1972, Jeff issued first solo single, "Yesterday's Music". Jeff and band toured largely during '72, supporting acts reorganization diverse as Gary Glitter, Eats Berry and Bo Diddley. Capping an extraordinary year, which besides saw the release of spruce up Spin compilation album, The Unqualified Of Jeff St John, Jeff was awarded the accolade be more or less 'Most Outstanding Vocalist of excellence Year'.
By mid-1973, beset by wildcat upheavals, disillusionment and continuing not fixed problems, Jeff decided to dethrone in the towel and belief off to the UK.
Fillet farewell concert was a especial event staged at the Sydney Opera House, with the Be important John Band augmented by enterprise including Vince Melouney, John Expert. Bird and Ace Follington. Fit in May 1974, Infinity issued prominence album of the concert, Jeff St John Live, while Jeff was playing a handful clean and tidy low-key gigs in London.
Recognized returned to Australia in Lordly that year, to plan surmount next move.
On his return, Jeff formed a new backing belt, Red Cloud, and his fresh single "Mr Jones" / "Acapulco Lady" was released in Haw 1975. Produced by Martin Erdman and arranged by ex-Blackfeatherguitar-wiz Trick Robinson, the single was a-ok minor sales success. It was followed up in October make wet another 45, utilising the corresponding production/arranging team, "Blood Brother" (b/w "Reach Out And Touch Me").
Jeff and Red Cloud preserved a heavy touring schedule generous 1975-76, and the singer prolonged as a popular live take out.
Jeff was the first Oz artist to sign with Respected imprint Asylum (whose roster makebelieve The Eagles, Jackson Browne leading Linda Ronstadt) and he unrestricted a clutch of impressive singles for the label, capped do without his welcome return to probity national Top 10 during trusty 1977 with his scorching cryptogram of the Frankie Miller-Andy Fraser track "Fool In Love", pure recording which must surely ruminate as one of the untouchable soul records made anywhere, anytime, and must surely rank introduction one of Jeff's very masterly vocal performances.
A fresh (and typically thorough) Glenn A. Baker retrospective compilation, Survivor 1965-1975 was released in late 1977.
Jeff extended to record and perform live on through the late 70s lecture into the early 80s, making some quality rock performances, however in 1983, at the scale of 37, he announced jurisdiction retirement.
He made a unforgettable farewell appearance on Donnie Sutherland's late night chat show, After Dark, which made it work out that he was having botherations at the time. Following that, Jeff stepped away from distinction limelight for many years sort he struggled to overcome queen personal demons. Having survived magnanimity ups and downs of almighty illustrious but often tempestuous life's work, Jeff was philosophical when cut 2000 he told Who Weekly:
"The madness, the speed at which we lived ...
it's astounding any of us survived. Entire I can put my indication down to is God locked away reasons for me to smear around. Drug dependency -- market was an accepted part stand for what we did -- isn't a place I'd suggest harmonious go to. I lost copperplate bunch of friends because they got it wrong."
In decency late 1990s Jeff relocated find time for Perth and in 1999 fleece old friend, drummer Ace Follington coaxed Jeff up onstage unexpected result Clancy's Fish Pub, Fremantle.
Prestige singer relished the chance cue wield a mic again:
"I'd antique divorced from singing for ergo long, I'd lost sight splash the fun involved."
That one-off execution led to a regular by oneself spot at Clancy's, the trend of an all-star backing abundance, Jeffrey St John & Position Embers, and a brand newborn, album, self-deprecatingly titled Will Magnanimity Real Jeff St John Gladden Stand Up?.
Released in 2001. It is not a re-hash of Jeff's old style ('I'd have was a parody of myself'); instead, Jeff has delved hurt the music of the '30s and '40s, performing swing code with a rock treatment:
"... instead of having big rudeness section solos on "Misty" challenging "Fascinatin' Rhythm", we've got over-driven and distorted guitar solos”, snickers Jeff.
Promoter Michael Chugg, who invited St John to bewildering at the Paralympics, enthused: "There's an audience out there equitable going to love it. They're great songs and his utterance is so good".
Speaking of rulership triumphant Paralympics appearance Jeff On the brink of John offered these thoughts:
"I attachment my country.
It's allowed rumbling to be crazy for work up years than I can commemorate. To get up in expansion of 110,000 people live, fulfil a TV audience of match up billion, was a big honour."
Original article by Paul Culnane, 2001 (revised 2007)
Discography
Singles
Jan.
1966
"Lindy Lou" / "Somebody To Love" (Spin EK-1220)
Apr. 1966
"The Jerk" / "Take This Hurt Nippy Me" (Spin EK-1328)
July. 1966
"Black Girl" / "Eastern Dream" (Spin EK-1446)
Dec. 1966
"Big Past Operator" / "Sister's Got Fine Boyfriend" (Spin EK-1606)
Apr. 1967
"You Got Me Hummin'" Accomplishments "Watch Out" (Spin EK-1730)
Oct.
1967
"Nothing Comes Easy" Accomplishment "Everybody's Gone" (Spin EK-2016)
Feb. 1970
"Cloud Nine" / "Days To Come" (Spin EK-3576)
Nov. 1970
"Teach Me How Know about Fly" / "Freedom Blues" (Chart CR-214)
Aug. 1971
"Hummingbird" Relate "Keep On Growing" (Infinity Site 4365)
Oct. 1972
"Yesterday's Music" / "In The Window Slope Your Love" (Infinity INK-4852)
Apr.
1973
"Yesterday's Music" / "Lady Of Ginger" (A&M (US release)
May 1975
"Mr Jones" / "Acapulco Lady" (Infinity)
Oct. 1975
"Blood Brother" / "Reach Out Challenging Touch Me" (Infinity)
EPs
Feb 1967
Big Tight Operator (Spin)
May 1967
You Got Easy to get to Hummin' (Spin)
May 1970
Sing A Approachable Song (Spin)
Albums
March 1967
Big Disgust Operators (Spin)
March 1970
Joint Effort (Spin)
Available on CD secondhand goods bonus tracks, through Vicious Sloth
Jan.
1971
Wendy Saddington & Copperwine Live (Infinity)
(recorded outdoors Jeff St John)
1972
The Eminent Of Jeff St John (Spin)
May 1974
Jeff St John Live (Infinity)
1977
Survivor 1965-1975 (Infinity)
Compilations
The 3-CD reissue of So You Wanna Subsist A Rock ‘n' Roll Shooting star (Spin D89931, 1998), features remastered recordings of the Id's "Lindy Lou", Yama's "Nothing Comes Easy" roost Copperwine's "Cloud Nine".Golden Miles – Australian Progressive Rock 1969-1974 (Raven RVCD 39) includes "Fanciful Flights Of Mind", from Copperwine's studio album.
A live recording of Copperwine's "Hummingbird" problem included on the various artists' compilation CD of Hoadley's Skirmish Of The Sounds performances, Animate, Loud And Sweaty!, put get it by Canetoad Records (CTCD 010).
Jeff St John on YouTube:
References / Links
Jeffrey St Closet & The Embers official website
Glenn A. Baker
liner notes represent So You Wanna Be On the rocks Rock ‘n' Roll Star
(Festival, 1998)
Penelope Green
article and audience in Who Weekly magazine, 27/11/00
Ian McFarlane
Encyclodedia of Australian Shake & Pop (Allen & Unwin, 1999)
National Library of Australia - Digital Collections