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1960s
Southend
born John Potter was 11 years old when he heard 'Great Balls of Fire' on
Radio Luxemburg. Being brought up on a diet of Mario Lanza and Dicky Valentine,
he realised upon hearing Jerry Lee Lewis, that the piano in the front room
was more than a shiny piece of furniture!
JP's uncle Jim Wade, (a music teacher and boss of Wade's Music Shop in Southend, where everybody bought their strings) arrived at the Potter household one day and was horrified to find JP thrashing the piano Jerry Lee Lewis style. "My God! What are you doing?!" he said.
Moving swiftly on, however, the scene was now set for life as a rock piano player.
Around 1966, at The Cricketers pub in Southend a young Mickey Jupp was fronting a band called 'The Orioles' with Mo Whitham, John Bobbin and Bobby Clouter. They had an amazing American sound and an awesome reputation. The band to aspire to.
Having seen this, JP decided it was time to join a band, and he got a job with The Flowerpots, who subsequently played The Cricketers (now Rigas), supported The Animals at The Palace Theatre Westcliff, also supported Lulu, Tony Blackburn (it's true!) and The Who (twice) at Rhodes Centre House Bishops Stortford.
The Flowerpots went on to play The Crazy Horse (Hamburg) and Casaleon (Berlin). Whilst leaving Germany, the band were actually held at gun-point by border guards who believed the drummer's stand case was full of guns! Upon returning to England they were invited to jam with The Orioles (less Juppy) at The Cricketers. A very special night.
Shortly after this, The Flowerpots' guitarist left and Wilko Johnson joined the band. The line-up JP (piano/vocals), Graham Fox (Bass/vocals), Wilko Johnson (guitar) and George Lowe (drums). The band continued to gig in the area until Wilko went off to Newcastle University and JP moved to Southampton. The Flowerpots hung up their rockin' shoes.
1970s
JP bumps into Wilko on Canvey who says "Come and meet my new band, they're called Dr. Feelgood.", and after a chat and rehearsal JP joins the band. The first gig is at The Esplanade pub in Southend, and goes down a storm. The band continue to gig as a five-piece (occasionally backing Heinz) for some time. The high point was playing in the famous 'Rock 'n' Roll Festival' at Wembley stadium to 84,000, in which MC5, Status Quo, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee perform. Due to family commitments JP leaves the band.
In the late 70's Wilko parts company with Dr. Feelgood and
teams up with JP. After numerous discussions in Wilko's front room, it is
decided to find a rythm section, enter Alan Platt (drums), Steve Lewins (bass)
and The Solid Senders were formed. . The band tours the UK twice, and Richard
Branson appears at the Brunel University gig, and eventually signs the band
to Virgin. During recording various songs were put forward to JP to sing,
'All Aboard' (C. Berry), 'Too Bad' (Potter/Platt), 'You're in my Way' (Lewins)
and Mike Maynard's 'Keep Both Eyes on the Road'. Virgin eventually
release the 'Solid Senders' album and the 'Live' LP.
UPDATE: "Sadly I have to announce that Solid Senders drummer Alan Platt died on 18 July 2005. He fell into a coma after tripping up and banging his head on concrete. He never recovered. Funeral was on 27 July. He wrote many songs and played with many artists, but his song 'First Thing in the Morning' from the Solid Senders remains a classic. It was recorded at 3oclock in the morning by Alan, Steve and myself, Wilko later dubbed on guitar. Alan also sang the song,and his aura is there for all to hear for eternity. One of Rocks nicest people will be sadly missed. Condolences to his family and friends......John"
1980s
JP temporarily joins journalist Charles Shaar Murray's band 'Blastfurnace and the Heatwaves', gigging around London, played on their E.P. 'South of the River' (Nighthawk), BBC Radio live broadcasts, and wrote Chopsticks for NME.
'John Potters Clay' is formed ( a cringe-worthy name thought up by Charles Shaar Murray). Line-up - JP (piano/vocals), John Raymond (bass), Buzz Barwell (a former Jupp drummer who went on to join Lew Lewis Reformer and Dr. Feelgood),Mike Maynard (vocals) and Jerry Clark (guitar). J.P.C. toured the UK and Holland extensively, and were signed up to Nighthawk Records, releasing the 'Speedin' On' E.P.
Ted Carroll at Ace Records offers JP a deal to record a boogie-woogie album. At this time Gypie Mayo leaves Dr. Feelgood and Potter invites him to play guitar. Gypie agrees, along with Buzz Barwell and John Raymond. Mike (the Case) Maynard had huge input on the record, with songwriting credits, backing vocals, handclaps, general madness and amazing impressions of John Cleese. The album 'Rockin' the 88s', was then recorded and released.
1988
JP buys a house in France (Perpignan) and moves there to write songs and compose instrumentals. Being close to the Spanish border, and near Figueres (Salvador Dali country), JP is influenced by this and records and releases 'Livin' on the Border' E.P, which receives much acclaim and air-play in Southern France and Spain.
1994
Returning to England for a visit, JP sits in with 'Juppy and 'Figure' at Chelmsford gig, and gets the bug for gigging again.
1998
Returning to England permanently, JP teams up with Figure to form a new band with Ed Dean on guitar (ex Jupp, ex Paul Jones) and John Raymond (bass), but decides not to pursue it. Although some recordings were made, including 'Mailtrain' and 'Boogie Breaks', both penned by Potter/Maynard.
1999
Stage show 'Rockin' on Heaven's Door', tours UK with JP on the piano, with solo slot in show performing 'All Aboard' and 'Jambalaya'.
2000-2002
Blues singer Richard John invites JP to guest on gigs. Also session for 'Driftin' Doc', Chelmsford blues artist. JPmoves to Essex/Suffolk border to Wix district.
2006
Re-release of Rockin' the 88's
2007
Release of 'Tokyo Rocks'
'Oriole Express' Coming soon, watch this space.
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