John J's
Fellow artists, friends, and other top links ... click on the bold blue text for site links

The Hunger Site
Visit this site daily or, better still, make this site your homepage so you don't forget. It's free and each visit provides 1 cup of food for the world's hungry paid for by the page sponsors.

Ross Ward - Ward's Xpress
A great blues/rock guitarist Ross Ward plays all lead guitars on the 'Open Fist' and 'Wassa Matta' albums. He was also in the hot JJ Francis 'Dogs in Custody - mk-I' stage band along with Phil Doherty (rhythm/lead guitar) Roy Giles (bass) and alternated between Jim Yonge or Doug Gallacher on drums. Since those days Ross has become a nationally noted acoustic/electric blues singer/songwriter/player with a number of cd releases. Ross regularly appears at blues festivals across Australia. Check out Ross' site for more.

Aidan Nolan
JJ said of Aidan ... "Aidan Nolan is one of that rare breed of songwriters who consistently pen quality songs that are lyrically strong and cover a wide range from ballads to rock. At the same time, aidan's songs have an instant broad appeal due to great melody lines and catchy hooks. So news of the re-issue of 'Tales From The Sun' came as a very pleasant surprise to me ... Two other qualities of Aidan's helped make the 'Tales' sessions work. One is that he has a great sense of the rhythmic and percussive dynamic in his songs which is reflected in his guitar playing. The second is that he has a natural sense of timing which meant there were no problems later when it came to adding backing instruments.". Visit Aidan's site.

Morning Of The Earth
The website of the classic Oz surf movie which featured the classic John J. Francis song, 'Simple Ben' from the 'Breaks, Works and Thoughts' album. Below is an excerpt from the movie.
You Tube 'MotE' Simple Ben clip

Bernard Bolan
A clever, witty and sharply perceptive singer/songwriter who has been entertaining audiences with new - and also much loved Bolan classics - for over thirty years. John J recorded and produced his brilliant debut album, 'The Liveliness of the Long Playing Bernard Bolan originally released on the Copperfield label and later re-issued by Warren Fahey's Larrikin records. John and Bernard appeared on the same concert bill a number of times. If ever you get the chance to see him..... Do it.

Newcastle Bands Database
Outstanding collection of information on singers, musicians, songwriters and bands that started their careers in the Australian city of Newcastle, NSW, about 160kms north of Sydney. This definitive database details the early careers of many of Australia's finest musicians and singers including John J. It's not just historical collections but a living work containing all sorts of interesting stuff. Well worth a visit.

Margret Roadknight
One of Australia's finest exponents of blues/jazz/folk/gospel, Margret has been performing her distinctive style worldwide for over 40 years. She and JJ were friends and appeared on a number of concert bills between '72-'74.

Jeannie Lewis
One of Australia's most adventurous singer/performers with a career spanning over thirty years. Appeared on the nowadays rare collectors album, 'Three Floors Down' which featured a number of artists that played at the Y.W. C. A. Cellar Folk Club which was.....three floors down, funnily enough. : ) John J and Alan Luchetti appeared as Dogsbody Blodbus, Kratch, Dank and Snug on the album with the track 'Pity Me'.

MILESAGO - Groups & Solo Artists - John A. Bird
Pianist John A. Bird's musical history on the Milesago collection. John A. played piano on 'Rock'n'Roll Refugee' and various songs on the other three John J Francis albums.

Milesago is devoted to Australasian solo performers and groups who performed and/or made recordings during an unique time in the history of Australian popular music. To view the entry for an artist or group, click the link for a visit.

James Woodward Photographer
Now one of Australia's leading photographers and was responsible for many of the classic shots on John J's albums.

THEMUSIC.COM.AU
TheMusic.com.au is the ultimate Australian music site for artists and all aspects of the Australian music industry. It contains massive amounts of links to Australian recording and performing artists, all types of music businesses, music media and radio, recording studios and producers, touring contacts & facilities, music production, record labels and distribution, venues, professional services and much more.

Moonlight Publications
The definitive independent book publishers on Australian music and artists. They have an extensive catalogue of unique individual and collective biographical publications and other really interesting works. JJ was featured in 'Dreamers' Vol.1 ( Paul McHenry) along with Greg Quill, Graeme Lowndes and Glenn Cardier.

Doug Ashdown
Talented Australian singer / songwriter.

James Griffin
Singer/songwriter/tv presenter-interviewer. Knew John J when working at 2JJJ in the early '80's.

Al Ward
Very talented player who was on acoustic and electric guitars in the house band for the popular ABC-TV program 'Sit yourself Down, Take a Look Round' of which John J was the musical director. Played in partnership with Dan Johnson during the '70's. More info on Al's music MySpace page can be found here.

Russell Bayne
Tasteful and skilled guitar player originally from Newcastle. Played on a number of sessions for artists recorded at Copperfield.

gregquill.com
the award-winning singer-songwriter and leader of the seminal Australian roots band Country Radio, which scored hits with "Gypsy Queen", "Wintersong", "Fleetwood Plain" and "She Do It To Me", and shared stages with many musical icons of the era, including Fairport Convention, Elton John, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, J.J. Cale and Stephen Stills, among others.

Glenn Cardier
Another great singer/songwriter from the land of Oz. After a very long break has returned to recording and performing in recent years.

Early history of Radio 2JJ

Folk Australia
the best online Australian folk music resource

JAM - NSW Folk Federation
Exactly what it says. : )) If you're interested in folk/acoustic/original/ traditional music happening in NSW, AU ... check it out; get involved if you want. : )

Folk Alliance Australia

Delightful Rain
A Dvd/Cd celebrating Australian surf music. Features a cover version of 'Simple Ben' by champion surfer Beau Young, son of legendary surfer Nat Young.

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