Biography | John Dawson Read

John 's first album 'A Friend of Mine is Going Blind' (Chrysalis records 1975) was dedicated to John's friend and mentor Graham and the title track was written about him. This song has lived in the hearts of many many people from that day to this. This song has been covered by several artists including Nana Mouskouri but it is John's version which kept the album in the American charts for so many months, even topping the charts in some States.

'Read On' followed a year after. Once again it was America who took this album to her heart. Still today people are contacting us saying they still have their original vinyl LP of 'Read On' which takes pride of place in their collection. One song on this album 'Such is the Mystery' was chosen by Cliff Richard to feature on his 'I'm Nearly Famous' album and in his live tours.

During the 'missing years' John concentrated on being a father to Zoe and Christopher, building a marketing business and opening a 'Michelin Star' restaurant, whilst still dipping his toes into the music from time to time... in 1986 John won 'Best UK Composer' award at the international Cavan Song Festival in Ireland. He also won gold at both the Istanbul Song Festival and the Sopot Song Festivall in Poland, both in the early 80's.

But generally all was quiet until in 2005 when someone mentioned that Michael Johnson, a brilliant American ballad singer, had covered 'A Friend of Mine' on his website and that people were leaving messages to find out if John was still alive and kicking... and that's when it all started again.

In 2005 John released ‘Now…Where were we?’... taking the last track from ‘Read On’ and continuing the story from there. Many personal favourites are on this CD, some intended for earlier albums but not finding the space. Then, in 2006, ‘Rough Cuts’ was released… a collection of 15 songs many in ‘unpolished’ form, but for some listeners, all the better for that.

And then in 2012 ‘One Life’ was released… once again produced by Guy Fletcher OBE and showcasing the diversity of John’s song writing talents.

...and so we come to today, where, through the wonders of the internet John’s music is being listened to all over the world. John is spending much of his time living and writing in a small hamlet in France and, whenever he can, picking up his guitar and playing a tune or two in a local bar or the occasional music festival.

John Dawson Read, Chysalis Records

Cavan Song Festival, JDR wins Best UK Composer

JDR plays The Old Grey Whistle Test

RTE TV broadcast half hour JDR feature 'Me and My Music'

Special single 'I am with you Mary' in support of Women's Peace Movement at Greenham Common.

Melody Maker: JDR wins first Istanbul International song festival

Sopot Intetnational Song Festival (Poland).
JDR wins Honory Diploma