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JON WASHINGTON
Jon Washington started his career in pop music in the early 1960’s as one of
Reg Calvert’s Clifton Hall artists. His first record “Derinda” was released
on the English Oriol label in 1962. Later that year under the management of
the late Reg Calvert, Washington was teamed up with Rod Bainbridge and Barry
Pritchard to form a group to back another one of Calvert’s artists.
This newly formed group became the nucleus of the world-renowned vocal group
the Fortunes, whose Decca recordings of “You’ve Got Your Troubles I’ve Got
Mine,” “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again” and “Seasons In The Sun”
topped the music charts all over the world. Washington left the group early
in its development and was replaced by another Clifton Hall artist Glen
Dale.
Washington’s first effort as a new solo artist gleaned him a British chart
record with the Les Reed/Barry Mason song “Spare A Thought For Me” on the
Phillips Fontana label. Later, during the group driven British pop music
era Jon Washington became the lead singer of the English pop group the
Applejacks. The group topped the British charts with the ever popular songs
“Tell Me When” Three Little Words” and “Like Dreamers Do” (written for the
Applejacks by McCartney and Lennon) all released on Decca records.
The Applejacks moved to Columbia records and released their single “You’ve
Bin Cheatin” and continued a hectic touring schedule all over the world.
During the last years of the Applejacks Washington appeared in the Universal
Movie “Voyage Of A Maiden” (filmed in its entirety on board the newly
launched British ocean liner the Queen Elisabeth 2). Washington and his
partner Martin Baggott wrote the theme music for the movie, titled
“Rosemary”.
After four years Washington left the Applejacks to appear in the English
production of the hit musical “Hair”. Inspired by the acting experience
Washington decided to move to the USA to pursue his career on the other side
of the Atlantic. Washington’s first visit to America was in the year of
1965; he had toured there many times through the years and this time he
planned to make the move a permanent one.
On his arrival in the USA Washington moved to New York City and signed with
the production team of Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. This association gave
Washington his first American chart record with his self-penned Columbia
single “Sugar Shine Lady”. While in NYC Washington also became one of the
fixtures in the studio background vocal scene singing on many sessions for
Atlantic records and Eddie Kramer’s Electric Lady Land studio in Greenwich
Village.
In 1974 Washington signed with the Midwest Destiny management organization
that were over looking the career of hit recording artist Maureen McGovern
at the time. The Destiny organization helped Washington put together a
cabaret act that would send him all over the USA coast to coast from Las
Vegas to Florida. The act turned out to be successful and Washington stayed
on the road sometimes 48 weeks out of the year. His single “You’ll Be My
Baby Again” was released on Destiny’s own PAP label, which helped push the
act to a wider audience.
In the 1980’s Washington signed with Tug Boat records owned by his old
friend Doc Holiday (Multi award winning producer and recording artist) and
moved into the red-hot 1980’s country pop arena. Under the guidance of
producer Doc Holiday, Washington scored with five consecutive chart records,
the most notable being “A One Dance Love Affair” and “Two Hearts”. Both
songs hit the American Billboard charts and stayed there for several weeks.
His recording of the country pop version of the Fortunes song “Here Comes
That Rainy Day Feeling Again” has remained a staple of country radio and
still continues to receive airplay today.
In the 1990’s Washington formed a new band “Jon Washington’s Sounds of the
Fortunes” as a tribute to his old band mates. Washington and his band now
live and work in the entertainment capital of the world Las Vegas Nevada.
The Sounds of the Fortunes have released two albums and continue to tour
extensively.
Washington continues to write songs. His song “Lady Of The Evening” is the
title cut on the Norwegian superstar Bente` Boe’s new album that is
currently receiving airplay all over the world. In March of 2003, (Once
again teaming up with Doc Holiday) Jon Washington’s new solo album “I Can
Feel A Love Coming On” will be released on Mega International Records to
coincide with the release of Jon Washington’s first Book for the Frankin
press “A Fire Within”.
Jon Washington is a veteran of the 1960’s music scene that changed the world
of pop music forever. He is a singer, songwriter, actor and musician who
has now become an author. His television and acting credits are extensive.
We are now pursuing radio and TV vehicles to promote his new album “I Can
Feel A Love Coming On” and his soon to be released book “A Fire With In”
(true stories of tragedy in the British Rock n Roll Experience).
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